How could Bobby Bowden’s pay be increased to $2.5 million and faculty and staff only receive a bonus?
These are two separate issues. About 90 percent of Coach Bowden’s salary comes from Seminole Boosters, Inc. and from contracts that require Bowden to appear regularly on various radio and television programs. Seminole Boosters is a not-for-profit organization with a primary purpose of “providing financial support for the intercollegiate athletic program.” Coach Bowden helps the Boosters raise tens of millions of dollars annually and they reward him accordingly. The university administration has no authority over the primary funding sources for faculty. The Legislature is the primary funding source for employee salaries and benefits. This year the Legislature provided only for a bonus. The state budget situation has prevented the university from providing supplemental funds.
