The new AD - Printable Version
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RE: The new AD - Mick - 08-01-2025
Yes, an NCAA athletic director (AD) should absolutely act as a fundraiser—actively and strategically. In today’s collegiate athletics landscape, fundraising is one of the most critical responsibilities of an AD, especially at Division I institutions.. An NCAA athletic director should be an active fundraiser. It’s not just a peripheral duty—it’s a core leadership function that directly affects the competitiveness, stability, and growth of the athletic program. In fact, many institutions today prioritize fundraising ability when hiring for the AD position.
Fundraising is a core function of the AD role because of the escalating costs of college athletics (scholarships, facilities, coaching salaries, travel, and recruiting all require substantial funding) and limited revenue from ticket sales or media rights (outside of major programs), donations are essential to stay competitive. Fundamentally, there is a capital campaign/facilities arms race. Many athletic departments run multi-million-dollar campaigns for new stadiums, practice facilities, and training centers. Donors want to hear from the AD—they see them as the visionary and steward of the program. And we can't forget the name, image, and likeness (NIL) era. While ADs may not directly manage NIL collectives, they often play a key role in shaping donor understanding and support for NIL efforts, legally and strategically. Finally, with respect to leadership and relationship building, major donors and alumni often expect direct access to the AD, not just development staff. Cultivating these relationships can unlock seven- and eight-figure gifts.
RE: The new AD - jacket3ree - 08-01-2025
I wonder how many people said "no" before they pulled a nearing retirement guy (like me!) off the ash heap because.....what, GSB? Never ran an athletic department at any level, but sure, every business is a widget in a case study somewhere right?
I continue to be disturbed that Levin seems hung up on Stanford 'uniqueness' and 'singularity' and trying to be so outside the box, that Stanford stays outside the box rather than compete, win, and have fun. I know he's trying but this is a weird hire. Some dude with zero collegiate athletic department hire (unless being on the BoT at Dartmouth counts for something) who was just eased out at Nike because he was a disaster. I guess at least they convinced Phil Knight to say some things.
Maybe the new paradigm with GMs and assistants to GMs, the AD isn't that important other than overseeing how money is moved around. Is he at least good at that? You don't really fundraise donations from private parties and businesses as the Paypal or Nike CEO do you, or do you?
Feels like another Stanford misstep, but we'll see. It won't make them finish worse than last in the ACC, so there's that. And Stanford doesn't pay a buyout to some other AD. And yes, he won't be here ten years no matter what unless he spent all his Nike golden parachute on jet skis and really needs a job.
RE: The new AD - chrisk - 08-01-2025
(08-01-2025, 06:02 PM)jacket3ree Wrote: I wonder how many people said "no" before they pulled a nearing retirement guy (like me!) off the ash heap because.....what, GSB? Never ran an athletic department at any level, but sure, every business is a widget in a case study somewhere right?
I continue to be disturbed that Levin seems hung up on Stanford 'uniqueness' and 'singularity' and trying to be so outside the box, that Stanford stays outside the box rather than compete, win, and have fun. I know he's trying but this is a weird hire. Some dude with zero collegiate athletic department hire (unless being on the BoT at Dartmouth counts for something) who was just eased out at Nike because he was a disaster. I guess at least they convinced Phil Knight to say some things.
Maybe the new paradigm with GMs and assistants to GMs, the AD isn't that important other than overseeing how money is moved around. Is he at least good at that? You don't really fundraise donations from private parties and businesses as the Paypal or Nike CEO do you, or do you?
Feels like another Stanford misstep, but we'll see. It won't make them finish worse than last in the ACC, so there's that. And Stanford doesn't pay a buyout to some other AD. And yes, he won't be here ten years no matter what unless he spent all his Nike golden parachute on jet skis and really needs a job.
He will be more successful if he can raise significant NIL from Nike.
RE: The new AD - Mick - 08-01-2025
(08-01-2025, 07:12 PM)chrisk Wrote:(08-01-2025, 06:02 PM)jacket3ree Wrote: I wonder how many people said "no" before they pulled a nearing retirement guy (like me!) off the ash heap because.....what, GSB? Never ran an athletic department at any level, but sure, every business is a widget in a case study somewhere right?
I continue to be disturbed that Levin seems hung up on Stanford 'uniqueness' and 'singularity' and trying to be so outside the box, that Stanford stays outside the box rather than compete, win, and have fun. I know he's trying but this is a weird hire. Some dude with zero collegiate athletic department hire (unless being on the BoT at Dartmouth counts for something) who was just eased out at Nike because he was a disaster. I guess at least they convinced Phil Knight to say some things.
Maybe the new paradigm with GMs and assistants to GMs, the AD isn't that important other than overseeing how money is moved around. Is he at least good at that? You don't really fundraise donations from private parties and businesses as the Paypal or Nike CEO do you, or do you?
Feels like another Stanford misstep, but we'll see. It won't make them finish worse than last in the ACC, so there's that. And Stanford doesn't pay a buyout to some other AD. And yes, he won't be here ten years no matter what unless he spent all his Nike golden parachute on jet skis and really needs a job.
He will be more successful if he can raise significant NIL from Nike.
Entirely likely he raises NIL from Nike....
RE: The new AD - ATLcardinal - 08-02-2025
Since my only familiarity with Donahoe was reading articles about the Nike problems, my knee-jerk reaction was also negative. But I also think almost all current college ADs are not qualified for their existing jobs in the new environment, much less qualified for the Stanford job and its complexities. Therefore since I don't really know what the successful AD template looks in the new environment, I'm more inclined to trust in Levin, Luck, and the search committee which had a number of high-quality knowledgeable people on it. Donahoe has a lot of positive attributes that should translate well for Stanford, and for all I know he is the template for a modern big-time AD. I choose to believe this represents a swing for the fences, and I can live with that.
RE: The new AD - BostonCard - 08-02-2025
ATLcardinal dateline='[url=tel:1754158641' Wrote: 1754158641[/url]']
Since my only familiarity with Donahoe was reading articles about the Nike problems, my knee-jerk reaction was also negative. But I also think almost all current college ADs are not qualified for their existing jobs in the new environment, much less qualified for the Stanford job and its complexities. Therefore since I don't really know what the successful AD template looks in the new environment, I'm more inclined to trust in Levin, Luck, and the search committee which had a number of high-quality knowledgeable people on it. Donahoe has a lot of positive attributes that should translate well for Stanford, and for all I know he is the template for a modern big-time AD. I choose to believe this represents a swing for the fences, and I can live with that.
I like Luck, but he was also on the committee that hired Taylor. He’s a once in a lifetime QB, and by all accounts a great person, but perhaps that doesn’t translate into his skills identifying and hiring talent.
BC
RE: The new AD - Mick - 08-02-2025
(08-02-2025, 12:49 PM)BostonCard Wrote:ATLcardinal dateline='[url=tel:1754158641' Wrote: 1754158641[/url]']
Since my only familiarity with Donahoe was reading articles about the Nike problems, my knee-jerk reaction was also negative. But I also think almost all current college ADs are not qualified for their existing jobs in the new environment, much less qualified for the Stanford job and its complexities. Therefore since I don't really know what the successful AD template looks in the new environment, I'm more inclined to trust in Levin, Luck, and the search committee which had a number of high-quality knowledgeable people on it. Donahoe has a lot of positive attributes that should translate well for Stanford, and for all I know he is the template for a modern big-time AD. I choose to believe this represents a swing for the fences, and I can live with that.
I like Luck, but he was also on the committee that hired Taylor. He’s a once in a lifetime QB, and by all accounts a great person, but perhaps that doesn’t translate into his skills identifying and hiring talent.
BC
Starting to think the same is true for the President of the Giants...great catcher, former MVP, great guy...as the Giants sink in the West...
RE: The new AD - fullmetal - 08-04-2025
Luck is on the committee, so his voice isn't the only one moving the needle. And once the decision is made, he's gotta fall in line. It's hard to say how much influence he actually had. But hopefully all these hiring committees are learning rapidly from past consequences.
RE: The new AD - 82lsju - 08-04-2025
(08-04-2025, 03:07 PM)fullmetal Wrote: Luck is on the committee, so his voice isn't the only one moving the needle. And once the decision is made, he's gotta fall in line. It's hard to say how much influence he actually had. But hopefully all these hiring committees are learning rapidly from past consequences.
if there is not much overlap in the committees then they probably don't learn much from previous mistakes
RE: The new AD - fullmetal - 08-04-2025
A key indicator of wisdom is the ability to learn from other people's mistakes lol. I'm crossing my fingers and betting on Stanford intelligence/wisdom here...
RE: The new AD - Nan3cy - 08-04-2025
(08-04-2025, 03:28 PM)fullmetal Wrote: A key indicator of wisdom is the ability to learn from other people's mistakes lol. I'm crossing my fingers and betting on Stanford intelligence/wisdom here...
The best advice I got in a divorce recovery group nearly 40 years ago: Learn from the mistakes of others; you’ll never live long enough to make them all yourself.
RE: The new AD - ADPinWDC - 08-04-2025
(08-01-2025, 09:49 AM)MVCard Wrote: Could this be more about his Rolodex for fundraising and recruiting, and perhaps mentoring Mr. Luck en route to Andrew actually calling the shots in Athletics? The guy seems like someone who would be incredibly well connected with deep pockets in the Valley…
YES. Correct. Deal-maker, more than an AD... in the new NIL landscape.
Personal net worth of >$150-$200M
RE: The new AD - chrisk - 08-04-2025
(08-04-2025, 09:02 PM)ADPinWDC Wrote:THe numbers I have seen for his net worth are several times that number. $200M would be quite low for somebody with his level and years of experience.(08-01-2025, 09:49 AM)MVCard Wrote: Could this be more about his Rolodex for fundraising and recruiting, and perhaps mentoring Mr. Luck en route to Andrew actually calling the shots in Athletics? The guy seems like someone who would be incredibly well connected with deep pockets in the Valley…
YES. Correct. Deal-maker, more than an AD... in the new NIL landscape.
Personal net worth of >$150-$200M
RE: The new AD - 82lsju - 08-05-2025
(08-04-2025, 10:15 PM)chrisk Wrote:(08-04-2025, 09:02 PM)ADPinWDC Wrote:THe numbers I have seen for his net worth are several times that number. $200M would be quite low for somebody with his level and years of experience.(08-01-2025, 09:49 AM)MVCard Wrote: Could this be more about his Rolodex for fundraising and recruiting, and perhaps mentoring Mr. Luck en route to Andrew actually calling the shots in Athletics? The guy seems like someone who would be incredibly well connected with deep pockets in the Valley…
YES. Correct. Deal-maker, more than an AD... in the new NIL landscape.
Personal net worth of >$150-$200M
his last three years at Nike showed total comp of almost $100m, it was unclear to me from their proxy statements exactly how much of his unvested stock vested upon his retirement from Nike, so I'd agree that a net worth of $150m-$200m seems low
RE: The new AD - BostonCard - 08-05-2025
Depends on how many were grants versus options. Most of the options would have been underwater when he retired.
BC
RE: The new AD - 82lsju - 08-05-2025
(08-05-2025, 11:05 AM)BostonCard Wrote: Depends on how many were grants versus options. Most of the options would have been underwater when he retired.
BC
some were RSUs and some options, unclear what he got to keep and when they expired. Probably more details in some SEC filings but I was to lazy to do more than look at the proxy.
the proxy is here
https://d18rn0p25nwr6d.cloudfront.net/CIK-0000320187/efbf2b55-49ad-42e7-9815-da51d80fcfec.pdf
exec comp section starts on page 38
in addition to the $100m in 2023-25 he also had total comp of ~$110m in 2020-2022
https://d18rn0p25nwr6d.cloudfront.net/CIK-0000320187/611710f7-bc33-40f7-8658-a3a8cb28677a.pdf
while at ServiceNow (2017-2019) his total comp was ~$96m
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1373715/000137371520000092/a2020proxystatement.htm#sAB0C5A7F510050B3880DCAF467E33A76
and looks like his total comp was ~$150m while CEO of eBay from 2008-15
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1065088/000120677416005069/ebay_def14a.htm#page73b
and
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1065088/000120677415000964/ebay_def14a.htm
and
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1065088/000119312511072609/ddef14a.htm#toc143871_22
so all in on his last three jobs his total comp was ~$450m
RE: The new AD - fullmetal - 08-05-2025
Well gee, he sounds like a great prospective donor lol.
RE: The new AD - jacket3ree - 08-05-2025
Yeah, he can buy a couple of QBs and an entire defensive backfield himself, easily.
RE: The new AD - Maple Leaf - 08-05-2025
It would be interesting to have been in the room during his interview in addition to any private discussions with president of Stanford.
RE: The new AD - chrisk - 08-06-2025
(08-05-2025, 10:59 PM)Maple Leaf Wrote: It would be interesting to have been in the room during his interview in addition to any private discussions with president of Stanford.
It's possible that Levin was the primary recruiter of Donohue.