MSU trustees approve Dan Bartholomae’s five-year contract
This morning, MSU's trustees formally completed the process that began with his hiring in August
Michigan State’s Board of Trustees approved athletic director Dan Bartholomae’s five-year employment agreement Friday morning, formally completing the process that began with his hiring in August.
The final contract confirms the principal financial terms first reported by Spartans Illustrated on Aug. 25, including $7.25 million in listed base salary and matching protections if Michigan State or Bartholomae ends the relationship early.
Bartholomae signed the agreement Aug. 17, the day his hiring was announced. MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz signed it Sept. 11 following approval by the Board of Trustees. The contract took effect Aug. 31 and runs through June 30, 2031.
Bartholomae’s annual base salary begins at $1.3 million and increases by $75,000 during each subsequent contract year:
2026-27: $1.300 million
2027-28: $1.375 million
2028-29: $1.450 million
2029-30: $1.525 million
2030-31: $1.600 million
His first contract year runs from Aug. 31, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
Bartholomae also can earn an annual performance bonus of up to 20% of his base salary. If he receives the maximum bonus each year, the agreement carries a potential value of up to $8.7 million based on the salaries listed in the contract.
Guskiewicz and Bartholomae will meet annually to establish performance goals for the upcoming year and evaluate his performance during the previous one. Any bonus is awarded at the president’s discretion and requires Bartholomae to remain employed as MSU’s athletic director through the end of that performance year.
Matching protections remain in final agreement
As Spartans Illustrated previously reported, the agreement includes reciprocal financial protections for Bartholomae and Michigan State.
If MSU terminates Bartholomae without cause, the university would owe him 80% of the base salary remaining on the contract. The money ordinarily would be paid in monthly installments through the agreement’s original expiration date.
Bartholomae would be required to make reasonable and diligent efforts to obtain another job. Compensation received from another source during the remaining contract period would reduce the amount owed by Michigan State.
If Bartholomae leaves MSU early to accept a comparable position, he or another party acting on his behalf would owe the university 80% of his remaining base salary. That payment would be due within 45 days of his departure, with any outstanding balance accruing 9% annual interest.
Bartholomae ordinarily must provide at least 30 days’ notice before resigning. If he accepts another comparable position before providing that notice, or his hiring is publicly announced, the contract considers it an immediate resignation. This part is clearly a lesson learned from how J Batt handled his departure from Michigan State.
The 80% obligation would decline as Bartholomae moves through the agreement, but it could amount to several million dollars if either side ends the relationship during its opening years.
Final contract adds detail to term-sheet provisions
The formal agreement provides substantially more detail than the Aug. 14 term sheet obtained earlier by Spartans Illustrated.
MSU may terminate Bartholomae for cause without owing him the remaining compensation. The contract’s definition of cause includes serious or repeated misconduct, material breaches of the agreement, significant performance deficiencies that remain uncorrected, dishonesty, certain gambling activity, and violations of university, Big Ten, NCAA, or College Sports Commission rules.
Bartholomae must receive written notice specifying the grounds for a proposed termination for cause and at least 10 days to explain to Guskiewicz why he should not be fired. The president would make the final decision.
The agreement also places extensive compliance responsibilities on Bartholomae. He must supervise a comprehensive departmental compliance program, report potential violations, and cooperate fully with investigations conducted by the NCAA, College Sports Commission, or third-party enforcement entities.
That cooperation could include providing access to electronic devices, social media accounts, messaging applications, and other information relevant to an investigation.
The president will evaluate Bartholomae’s performance annually and retains the authority to change, supplement, or eliminate his responsibilities after discussing the changes with him and providing written notice. A refusal to accept a reasonable change or addition to his duties could constitute grounds for termination.
The final contract provided for trustee approval does not include the term sheet’s provision stating that Michigan State would pay the buyout or liquidated damages associated with Bartholomae’s departure from Western Michigan. That obligation was approximately $5.1 million. The term sheet stated that the payment would be made on Bartholomae’s behalf, but it is not addressed in the nine-page employment agreement.
Retirement, vehicle, tickets, and other benefits
Michigan State will make an annual contribution to a qualified 401(a) retirement plan at the maximum employer contribution permitted under federal law.
Bartholomae also will receive a university-provided vehicle for business and personal use or may choose a taxable vehicle stipend of $700 per month.
The contract provides up to four complimentary club-level season tickets for football and hockey, four lower-bowl season tickets for men’s and women’s basketball, and two parking passes for home games in each sport. Those benefits are in addition to his access to athletic department suites at Spartan Stadium and the Breslin Center.
MSU will reimburse Bartholomae for initiation fees and dues at one Michigan country club, along with his membership in the University Club of Michigan State University. The university also will pay up to $25,000 in relocation expenses and cover temporary housing in the East Lansing area for up to three months.
Bartholomae arrived at Michigan State after more than four years as Western Michigan’s vice president and director of athletics. He formally began work Aug. 31 as the 22nd athletic director in MSU history.
Friday’s approval converts the preliminary commitment described in the August term sheet into a binding employment agreement and provides Bartholomae with a contractual runway through the 2030-31 academic year.
