Leipold’s new KU contract includes this provision about football facility improvements

Kansas Jayhawks football coach Lance Leipold is serious about KU’s planned improvements to the school’s football stadium and other athletic facilities.

The second-year KU coach’s new contract, released to the media Tuesday, includes a stipulation involving those planned renovations. In effect, KU must continue working to making those upgrades a reality, or Leipold’s contract could be declared null and void.

The contract reads: “The parties agree that if KU has not made meaningful and substantial progress toward either adding additional square footage to Anderson Family Football Complex or stadium renovations by December 15, 2023, Head Coach shall have the right to terminate the Agreement and any applicable Release Payment under Section 17.C shall be waived. For purposes of this section, ‘meaningful and substantial’ shall mean the physical construction of the structure and/or grounds shall have commenced.”

When contacted by The Star, KU officials declined comment on this portion of the contract. The Star was informed there would be a football news conference on Sunday to discuss KU’s impending appearance in a bowl game as well as any other questions surrounding the football program and/or Leipold’s contract.

During the week of the TCU game, KU athletic director Travis Goff unveiled a comprehensive strategic plan that included renovations to its football, basketball and baseball facilities.

According to KU, the plan, entitled, “To The Stars,” was constructed by a 46-person committee that spent “more than 14 months on the elaborate, comprehensive plan,” which included a survey of “more than 4,000 people in a commitment to diverse perspectives.”

The strategic plan “focuses on Kansas Athletics’ values, inclusive excellence, student-athlete wellness and experience, community engagement, philanthropy, financial sustainability and other critical areas for success.”

Before the TCU game, KU announced a project for “major upgrades to football facilities that would be paid for by “private donations, economic development funds, premium seating sales in the stadium, and future development opportunities that will be created on the site.”

The comprehensive plan shed no new light on the upcoming project but indicated its objectives are to “transform the game-day experience for our fans through a reimagined seating bowl design; expanded concessions, restrooms and accessible seating locations; improved concourse circulation; and new and diverse premium amenities.” Also, to “create year-round usable space for more large-scale activities that drive economic impact to the community.”

The Anderson Football Complex would be improved, KU’s Goff said at the time, “through enhanced spaces dedicated to sports performance, nutrition, sports medicine, meeting rooms and technology, and recruiting and culture-building space. Objective 2: Maximize efficiencies and space utilization by integrating elements of Anderson Family Football Complex and David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.”

Assistant coaches to benefit

Leipold apparently wants to take care of his assistant coaches and support-staff members. Another provision in his new contract sets up salary pools for KU’s assistant football coaches and support staff.

The contract reads: “For Year One, Athletics will provide a pool of Five-Million Dollars and No Cents ($5,000,000) to be used for the assistant coaches and head strength coach. Such pool will increase each Contract Year by One-Hundred Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($100,000) and will be administered consistent with Section 3 and Athletics’ policies. B. For Year One, Athletics will provide a pool of Two-Million Five-Hundred Thousand and No Cents ($2,500,000) to be used for the football staff excluding the Head Coach, assistant coaches, and head strength coach. Such pool will increase each Contract Year by One-Hundred Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($100,000) and will be administered consistent with Section 3 and Athletics’ policies.

“On or around April 1, 2025, the parties shall meet in good faith to evaluate whether or not Head Coach’s annual compensation, the salary pool for assistant coaches, and the salary pool for football staff are at or within the top half of the Big 12 Conference. If at that time Head Coach’s annual compensation or either of the salary pools are not within the top half of the Big 12 Conference, Athletics will increase such amount(s) to be at or within the top half of the Big 12 Conference. However, if any university has announced before April 1, 2025 that it intends to leave the Big 12 Conference, such university will be excluded from the calculations. Such adjustments, if necessary, are in addition to any increases due in Year Three as set forth in Section 5 and Section 6.”

Leipold wants to work for one AD

Leipold’s new contract also makes clear his desire to continue working for AD Goff.

“The parties agree that if Travis Goff is not employed by KU, Head Coach shall have the right to terminate the Agreement and any applicable Release Payment under Section 17.C shall be reduced by 50%,” the contract reads.

NIL must be addressed

Leipold, under terms of the new contract, also is trying to assist his players’ name, image and likeness (NIL) endeavors.

“Athletics endeavors to make good faith efforts regarding name, image, and likeness with the aspirations to achieve a nationally competitive program by engaging boosters and supporters in a manner consistent with any applicable laws and regulations,” the contract reads.