Coach John Calipari is the University of Arkansas men’s basketball coach under a five-year contract that starts at a fixed price of $38 million, according to a copy of the contract obtained by USA TODAY Network Wednesday.
However, the contract will be automatically extended and Coach John Calipari’s salary will increase if the Razorbacks play in the NCAA Tournament.
Calipari announced Tuesday that he is leaving the University of Kentucky after 15 seasons and a 410-122 record that included one NCAA Championship and four Final Four appearances. He opted out of a contract under which he was slated for an initial annual compensation of $8.5 million for the 2024-25 season and $9 million for the next four seasons.
Coach John Calipari’s Arkansas contract
The deal with Arkansas starts with Calipari paying $7 million in initial annual compensation, plus $500,000 in retention payments through June 30, 2025. Set to get $8 million for his first year.
If Coach John Calipari is fired without cause, Coach John Calipari will be remaining annual compensation on the contracts, not including retention payments. Calipari “shall not have an affirmative obligation” to reduce the buyout by finding another job, but Arkansas will be entitled to reduce its payment to Calipari by the amount of his subsequent “athletics-related” income.
If Coach John Calipari opts out of his contract to take another coaching job, he would owe Arkansas $6 million. If he opts out of the contract within a year without medical reasons, he must pay a $1 million signing bonus.
However, the contract states that Coach John Calipari “shall not seek or accept employment in any coaching capacity” with any other Southeastern Conference school for the entire term of the contract, regardless of whether Coach John Calipari remains with Arkansas during that time.
Possible extension and pay raise for Coach John Calipari
Calipari leading the Razorbacks to the NCAA Tournament will automatically be eligible for an extension and pay raise:
▶ The contract will automatically extend for one year for each tournament appearance, with a maximum of two such extensions allowed.
▶ If the team plays in the tournament, Calipari’s salary will be increased by the best next season and the season after that.
John Calipari will not be able to receive more than $1.25 million in total earnings over the course of the contract.
The deal does not include an annual one-month bonus for Calipari His contract with Kentucky included only one bonus: $50,000 based on the team’s NCAA Annual Academic Progress Rate score.
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