TCU AD Mike Buddie advocates for salary caps on coaches and ADs

TCU athletic director Mike Buddie expressed his view that college sports should enforce salary caps on coaches and athletic directors during an interview on July 24, 2026. He pointed out that top coaching salaries, such as those exceeding $13 million for some coaches like Georgia's Kirby Smart, have escalated significantly. Buddie argues that student-athletes should be involved in these decisions. He acknowledged the legal challenges, citing a 1992 federal ruling that deemed salary caps a violation of antitrust laws, while suggesting that collective bargaining could provide a pathway for implementing such caps. Legislation aimed at limiting coaching salaries has already been discussed in Congress.

• 8:22 PMYahoo Sports — TCU AD Mike Buddie: Coaches, ADs Should Have a Salary Cap