Details of Wichita State athletic director Darron Boatright’s contract extension

An open records request has unveiled the two-year contract extension Wichita State athletic director Darron Boatright signed in October 2020 that is slated to keep him with the university through the 2023-24 school year.

Here are the details to know about Boatright’s contract:

The base salary

• The base salary is $275,000, which was a $75,000 raise from his previous contract. He can receive an annual raise of 3% ($8,250) if he meets his responsibilities as determined by the president.
• If WSU’s operating budget is reduced by at least 5% from the previous fiscal year, Boatright’s base salary may be reduced by the same percentage.

The key performance areas

• Boatright and the president agreed to “key performance indicators” to determine Boatright’s success on the job.
• Key performance areas include fundraising, baseball season ticket sales, operating within the athletic budget, single-game ticket sales excluding men’s basketball and baseball, and WSU teams finishing in the top-quarter of the American Athletic Conference.

The bonuses

• $1,000 (per team) if WSU qualifies for and plays in an NCAA postseason tournament.

• $2,000 if the overall annual GPA for student-athletes is at least 3.25.

• $2,500 if the overall yearly academic progress rate of WSU exceeds 975.
• $2,500 (per team) if WSU wins a regular-season or tournament conference championship.
• $3,500 if the majority of WSU teams score a perfect APR.
• $7,500 if the student-athlete graduation rate exceeds that of the undergraduate WSU student population.
• $10,000 if the WSU men’s basketball team reaches the Sweet 16.
• $10,000 if the WSU baseball team reaches the College World Series.
• $25,000 if the WSU men’s or women’s basketball team reaches the national championship game.

The buyout information

• If terminated without cause, WSU’s sole financial obligation is the remaining amount of his base salary through the end of the contract, which will be paid to Boatright within 30 days of the date of termination.
• A clause stipulates that Boatright has the “obligation to minimize the payments due to him” and to make “every reasonable effort to obtain other employment.” If Boatright obtains a new job, then WSU’s pay-outs would be reduced by his new compensation or ceased if it exceeds the compensation owed by WSU.
• If terminated for cause, Boatright is only owed the compensation up to the date of termination.

Taylor Eldridge

The Wichita Eagle

316-268-6270

Wichita State athletics beat reporter. Bringing you closer to the Shockers you love and inside the sports you love to watch.