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YouTubeUrban Meyer and the $4 Million-A-Year Salary
Abel Harding
Last night, while running a (slow) three miles on the treadmill in the gym, I saw ESPN's headline pop-up and faintly heard Tony Kornheiser ask the question "In a day of rising unemployment and state deficits, is it fair to pay the coach of a state university $4 million a year?" Admittedly, after hearing the question, I raged against Tony Kornheiser for the next five minutes---something that probably contributed to my struggle for breath in the last 1/2 mile of my run---and I wasn't able to hear his follow up. Kornheiser, who is famous for his insults and occasional sloppy research, may have cleared up his previous question by stating the facts, but if he didn't, I'll be presumptive enough to do it for him.
The $4 million a year that has been promised to Urban Meyer for the next six years does not come from state dollars. The University Athletic Association pays much of Meyer's salary and other parts are covered by sponsorship agreements. In Gainesville, the UAA is self-supporting. In fact, it is a revenue contributor to the University. During the 2007-2008 school year, the UAA brought in revenue in excess of $106 million, ranking it #3 in the country. While the University of Florida's athletic department does receive revenue from student fees, those fees---at $1.90 per student credit hour---are significantly lower than other Florida's other state universities. And, in Gainesville, the Athletic Association is giving back, recently contributing $6 million in cash to the University's general fund.
Urban Meyer has earned, and will continue to earn, his salary. It would be foolish to try to make the case that Florida Athletics would be grossing $106 million if Urban Meyer had not led the football program to two national titles. (Not to mention Billy Donovan's contributions.) And Florida's not the only program that should be thanking Meyer. Florida's success likely contributed to the recent $3 billion dollar deal that the SEC recently signed with CBS and ESPN.
Urban Meyer's salary is not being paid by the taxpayers of Florida. He has demonstrated his worth on the field and he has earned this contract extension. As Mike Bianchi loves to say, "Make no mistake about it, the University of Florida is an institution of higher learning; the University of Florida football program is an institution of higher earning."
