Michigan to pay Warde Manuel $7.14 million as athletic director steps down
ESPN • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 25, 2026, 8:22 PM
Last updated Jul 25, 2026
Warde Manuel's buyout details at the University of Michigan have been revealed as he prepares to leave at the end of the year. The settlement includes a $7.14 million lump sum and a $108,000 retirement contribution. Manuel’s departure follows a month-long investigation into the athletics department's culture, which found both strengths and significant accountability failures. Manuel has agreed to a non-compete clause preventing him from joining any Big Ten school for two years after his resignation. The full findings of the investigation will not be released by the university.
- •Warde Manuel's resignation from Michigan is effective at the end of this year.
- •He will receive a $7.14 million buyout and ongoing retirement benefits.
- •An investigation revealed significant failures in Michigan's athletic department culture.
- •Manuel agrees to a two-year non-compete clause for Big Ten schools.
- •The full investigation results will remain unreleased by the university.
- 3:29 PMESPN — Manuel gets $7.14M, other perks in U-M buyout
- 2:17 PMYahoo Sports — Michigan to pay Warde Manuel more than $7 million as part of buyout
- 11:48 PMYahoo Sports — Warde Manuel gets buyout as part of agreement to step down at Michigan
- 8:22 PMYahoo Sports — Warde Manuel buyout: How much is Michigan paying AD when he steps down?
"Departing Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel will receive a $7 million lump sum payment as part of his separation deal, according to a document obtained Monday by The Associated Press.
"The University of Michigan released the terms of the Warde Manuel buyout in response to a request made under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act.
"Warde Manuel will receive buyout as part of agreement to step down as Michigan's athletic director according to a report from the Detroit News.
Sources
External links- ESPNJul 27, 2026, 3:29 PMManuel gets $7.14M, other perks in U-M buyout
Departing Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel will receive a $7 million lump sum payment as part of his separation deal, according to a document obtained Monday by The Associated Press.
- Yahoo SportsJul 27, 2026, 2:17 PMMichigan to pay Warde Manuel more than $7 million as part of buyout
The University of Michigan released the terms of the Warde Manuel buyout in response to a request made under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act.
- Yahoo SportsJul 25, 2026, 11:48 PMWarde Manuel gets buyout as part of agreement to step down at Michigan
Warde Manuel will receive buyout as part of agreement to step down as Michigan's athletic director according to a report from the Detroit News.
- Yahoo SportsJul 25, 2026, 8:22 PMWarde Manuel buyout: How much is Michigan paying AD when he steps down?
Warde Manuel's buyout and contract details have been unveiled as the embattled Michigan athletic director prepares to leave Ann Arbor
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