News Summary
Keli Zinn has officially taken on the role of Athletic Director at Rutgers University, becoming the highest-paid in the school’s history with a base salary of $1.35 million. Her contract includes performance incentives and a focus on enhancing the athletic department’s competitiveness and fundraising capabilities. Zinn aims to modernize facilities and improve recruitment of student-athletes and staff while addressing financial challenges. Her appointment marks a pivotal shift for Rutgers athletics, following a period of interim leadership.
New Brunswick, NJ – Keli Zinn officially began her role as the Athletic Director of Rutgers University on July 30, following her approval by the Board of Governors. Zinn steps into this significant position as the highest-paid athletic director in the university’s history, securing a five-year contract that commences with a base salary of $1.35 million.
Under her contract, Zinn is guaranteed annual salary increases of $50,000 contingent on positive performance evaluations. Additionally, she is set to receive biannual retention bonuses of $150,000 throughout her term. Performance-based bonuses are also integral to her compensation structure, tied directly to the success of the athletic programs and revenue generation. This includes a potential maximum bonus of 50% of her base salary, amounting to $675,000 in her first year.
Zinn’s bonus structure includes specific financial incentives for various sports. In football, she can earn a 5% bonus of $67,500 by achieving between seven to eight wins, and a 10% bonus of $135,000 for nine wins, which may include bowl games or playoff attendance, and attaining a top 25 ranking. For men’s and women’s basketball, Zinn can also secure a 5% bonus for totaling 20 wins or making it to the NCAA Tournament, while a 10% bonus is available for reaching the championship game of the NCAA Tournament. Further bonuses pertain to the overall department’s performance in the Director’s Cup, with potential rewards ranging from 5% to 30% linked to rankings, and bonuses based on Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores ranging from 5% to 25%. Additionally, the contract allows Zinn to earn $10,000 for each $1 million in new revenue she generates outside of revenue from the Big Ten Conference.
Prior to joining Rutgers, Zinn served as the executive deputy athletic director at Louisiana State University, where she honed her experience in leading successful collegiate athletic programs during her tenure at West Virginia and Maryland. She aims to establish a unified vision and alignment with Rutgers President William Tate, a longstanding professional connection stemming from their time together at LSU.
During her introductory press conference, Zinn articulated her goals for the Rutgers athletics community, emphasizing the need for ambitious growth and development. She recognized the challenge presented by the competitive landscape of college athletics and underlined the importance of both fundraising and the evolution of Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) opportunities. Her vision for Rutgers Athletics extends beyond competition; Zinn envisions a department excelling in recruiting elite talent among student-athletes, coaches, and support staff.
Zinn also intends to modernize athletic facilities at Rutgers to enhance appeal and attract top talent. Her focus on building an effective athletic department highlights her commitment to hiring individuals who share her vision and determination for success. Acknowledging the financial hurdles faced by Rutgers Athletics, she has identified the urgent need to bolster revenue and fundraising capabilities, especially within the context of the burgeoning NIL landscape.
As she surveys existing facilities, including Jersey Mike’s Arena, Zinn recognizes that renovations are necessary to enrich both fan and athlete experiences. The strategic hiring of Zinn marks a pivotal moment for Rutgers athletics, which has grappled with uncertainty due to interim leadership over the preceding year. Her aims to foster stability and progress are now essential as she takes the helm of the university’s athletic programs.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- NJ.com: Contract Details for Rutgers AD Keli Zinn
- Wikipedia: Rutgers University
- 247Sports: Keli Zinn’s Impact at Rutgers
- Google Search: Keli Zinn Rutgers Athletic Director
- Scarlet Knights: Introducing Keli Zinn as Athletic Director
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Athletic Director
- On3: Keli Zinn Introduced as New Athletic Director
- Google News: Rutgers Athletics To-Do List for Keli Zinn
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