Barta signs 5-year extension according to Associated Press
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Iowa’s success in football and men’s basketball has led to a significant pay raise for athletic director Gary Barta, according to documents obtained by the Associated Press.
The documents show that Iowa President Bruce Harreld and Barta reached a five-year contract extension last month. It guarantees Barta $4.6 million in compensation through June 30, 2021.
The deal increases Barta’s base salary from $400,000 to $550,000 in July and guarantees $250,000 in annual deferred compensation. Both amounts increase by $50,000 in 2018.
Barta’s extension and pay raise come in the wake of the Iowa football team finishing 12-2 this past season. The Iowa men’s basketball team also is alone in first place in the Big Ten heading into today’s game at Penn State, while the Iowa wrestling team is currently ranked second nationally.
The Iowa baseball team also played in the NCAA Tournament last season for the first time since 1990.
Barta was under pressure to make a coaching change in football last summer, but he stuck with Kirk Ferentz, and Barta’s patience has paid off.
Barta also hired Fran McCaffery as the Iowa men’s basketball coach in 2010. McCaffery has since taken a program that was in shambles and lifted it to the top of the Big Ten standings. Iowa also has played in the NCAA Tournament in each of the past two seasons under McCaffery and has won at least 20 games in each of the past four seasons, including the current season.
Barta’s department is also facing a federal investigation into sex discrimination allegations. Former Iowa field hockey coach Tracey Griesbaum has filed a complaint, saying her termination in 2014 was part of a pattern of gender bias under Barta.
Barta, 52, replaced Bob Bowlsby as the Iowa Athletic Director in 2006.