New Tommy Lloyd Arizona Contract Reveals Salary, Buyout Info, AD Power Shift After UNC Rumors

Tommy Lloyd's one-year contract extension with the Arizona men's basketball team raised his salary "from around $5.1 million to $6.85 million for this upcoming season, which should put him in the top five nationally," according to The Athletic's Chris Vannini.

But the benefits of his reworked deal don't end there.

He will now be paid $37.5 million over five years (through March 2031), before potential bonuses are factored in, and will have a staff salary pool of at least $2.9 million. He also can appoint his own special assistant or general manager, and his new deal includes a $10 million buyout if he leaves after the first year of the extension and $8 million after the second. He is permitted to leave for a Big 12 school as a part of the reworked deal, though that buyout will start at $12 million.

The new deal even altered the chain of command in Lloyd's favor. Per Vannini, "Arizona president Suresh Garimella now has 'exclusive authority' over evaluating Lloyd's job performance, his compensation, the men's basketball operating budget and player compensation, with collaboration from other officials. Previously, those roles fell to athletic director Desireé Reed-Francois, with additional oversight by the president. Most coaches report to their ADs, but Lloyd will be able to appeal to a higher authority to get what he wants moving forward."

Lloyd, 51, is 148-36 in five seasons leading the Wildcats, with five NCAA tournament berths, three regular-season championships, three conference tournament titles and a berth in this year's Final Four.

North Carolina had interest in Lloyd this offseason but he passed, instead choosing to remain in Tucson. Given the extension he received, it's easy enough to see why.