Michigan State releases contract showing Mat Ishbia among two donors providing millions to Mel Tucker's salary
Ishbia and Steven St. Andre are paying a combined $24 million of the $95 million guaranteed for MSU head coach Mel Tucker.
Now, following a lawsuit from The Detroit Free Press that compelled Michigan State to release the donor contracts under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the details of these gifts — and any conditions included — are public. All told, Michigan State is on the hook for $71 million over the course of the 10-year contract after the combined gifts from Ishbia and St. Andre.
Ishbia revealed on a recent episode of HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel that he had donated $14 million to the Tucker contract, which the docs confirm. St. Andre’s gift is for $10 million.
The documents, which are contracts spelling out the terms and timelines of the gifts from Ishbia and St. Andre, do not directly state the money is supposed to cover Tucker’s salary. In the case of St. Andre’s donation, the purpose is for “recruitment and retention” for the Michigan State football team.
Ishbia, a former basketball walk-on under Tom Izzo, has his gift directed to the football program and men’s basketball program.
Michigan State signed Tucker to the 10 year, $95 million contract extension in late November of 2021. At the time, Michigan State was at the business end of a double-digit win season and it was rumored that Tucker was a consideration for the then open LSU head coach gig.
It was reported at the time of the extension that Ishbia, St. Andre and perhaps some additional alumni had pooled resources to help make the contract happen, though the exact amount they chipped in was not clear.
Now, after being compelled by Michigan courts to show their hand, the full picture of what’s offset and what Michigan State is responsible for paying is in clear focus.
