Scott Signs Contract Extension Through 2021

CHAPEL HILL --- Fourth-year head wrestling coach Coleman Scott has signed a contract extension with the University of North Carolina, Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham announced today. Scott, a four-time All-American and 2008 national champion at Oklahoma State and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist, led the Tar Heels to their best NCAA finish in more than two decades last spring.

UNC has signed or is announcing:
• contracts and/or contract extensions with 11 head coaches, including Scott's extension, which runs through 2020-21;
• personal service contracts for head coaches with Nike;
• a 10-year extension with Nike;
• and a 12-year extension with Learfield Communications.

All of the contracts, and a licensing agreement and labor standards agreements with Nike, are available on GoHeels.com.

In addition to signing a contract extension with Scott, Cunningham is announcing contract extensions for men's basketball coach Roy Williams through 2027-28; Anson Dorrance (women's tennis), Mike Fox (baseball), Brian Kalbas (women's tennis), Jenny Levy (women's lacrosse), Sam Paul (men's tennis) and Carlos Somoano (men's soccer), who each re-signed through 2023.

Also, Joe Breschi (men's lacrosse), Donna Papa (softball) and Joe Sagula (volleyball) signed multi-year contracts for the first time; each signed five-year contracts through 2023.

The 11 coaches who signed new contracts or extensions, which were also approved by the Board of Trustees, have a combined 239 years of experience as head coaches at Carolina.

Williams is one of five UNC head coaches who have (or will have) personal service contracts with Nike, along with Dorrance, Fox and Sylvia Hatchell (women's basketball). Mack Brown (football) will also sign a personal service contract with Nike.

The University's contracts with Brown, Fox, Hatchell and Williams also include compensation that originated from Learfield for work with Carolina's multi-media rightsholder. The Nike contracts and compensation from Learfield are approved by Chancellor Folt and Cunningham.

"It's a pretty remarkable day when you can announce contracts and extensions for 11 head coaches, particularly when you have as accomplished a group as we are fortunate to work with here at Carolina," says Cunningham. "These 11 coaches include seven who have won 32 national championships, and are dedicated to winning in the classroom and our community.

"We're also pleased to highlight today the financial impact our partnerships with Nike and Learfield have on our ability to provide opportunities for nearly 800 student-athletes and the positive impact those relationships have on our campus as a whole."

Carolina's 10-year contract calls for Nike to remain the Tar Heels' exclusive supplier of athletic footwear and apparel through June 2028. It is the third extension of a partnership that began in 1993.

As part of the contract, a minimum of $600,000 per year — at least $6 million over the life of the contract — is guaranteed for licensing, which the University directs for need- and merit-based scholarships. That's more than doubling the licensing guarantee of the previous contract with Nike. In addition, the University will receive $200,000 per year in retail product for non-athletic department use, and Nike will hire four student interns each year.

"We're pleased to continue this long-standing partnership with Nike, which goes well beyond the direct benefits it provides to nearly 800 student-athletes each year," says Chancellor Carol L. Folt. "This extension makes even more funds and opportunities available to benefit our students in areas ranging from scholarships to internships and helps Carolina students across our campus."

In an accompanying "Agreement Regarding Labor Standards and Corporate Social Responsibility," the University and Nike also have again affirmed their commitment to fair labor practices.

Nike also has increased the amount of product – primarily uniforms, shoes and practice gear – it provides to Carolina Athletics. Additional funds will be used to support women's sports initiatives, contracts and travel for international competition. All told, the value of the Nike contract exceeds $10 million per year.

"This contract isn't just about supplying uniforms and equipment, but also about supporting student scholarships, internships and opportunities for the University of North Carolina,'' says Cunningham. "We are proud to extend our relationship with Nike and pleased that this agreement will help so many students."

Carolina also extended its multi-media rights partnership with Learfield through June 2029. The Jefferson City, Mo.-based company has managed UNC's radio broadcasts, coaches' shows, digital media productions and venue signage since 1999. The 12-year contract has an average guaranteed value of $12.6 million per year.

"Our partnership with Learfield is an important part of our organizational culture, and we are excited about the continued ideas and opportunities this agreement will bring to our department and to the University,'' says Cunningham.

The contract includes additional Learfield resource investments in student-athlete development, career placement programs, and digital content development and market integration. It includes four annual paid student internships for Carolina students, a Career Tar Heel program and funding to help expand creative resources within the athletic department.

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