Following another tough loss on Saturday against LSU, Oklahoma men’s basketball coach Porter Moser finds himself in a precarious position. The mounting pressure from fans and alumni has sparked conversations about the future of his tenure at the helm, raising the question: what would it cost the Sooners to part ways with Moser?
Digging into the numbers reveals that if Oklahoma opts to fire Moser without cause, the university would be responsible for 75% of his remaining salary. Let’s break this down for clarity. Moser’s compensation package includes a base salary of $300,000, a yearly stay benefit of $200,000, and an additional salary that escalates by $100,000 each year, currently sitting at $2.8 million. With three years left on his contract, this totals approximately $10.2 million—a significant financial commitment. Consequently, the buyout would amount to around $7.65 million.
Here’s how those numbers stack up:
- 2026: $300k (base) + $200k (stay benefit) + $2.8M (additional salary) = $3.3M
- 2027: $300k (base) + $200k (stay benefit) + $2.9M (additional salary) = $3.4M
- 2028: $300k (base) + $200k (stay benefit) + $3M (additional salary) = $3.5M
Adding this all together gives us the total salary remaining of $10.2 million. After applying the 75% buyout clause, the Sooners would owe $7.65 million, but here’s an important detail: if Moser were to land a full-time job elsewhere during this buyout timeframe, Oklahoma would no longer be responsible for the remaining payments. This provision softens the financial blow a bit, allowing the university some flexibility.
It’s crucial to note that since being extended in the summer of 2022 through 2028, Moser has not received any additional contract extensions. Last season, he was given a relatively modest raise of $100,000, previously stipulated in his contract. For context, Moser’s buyout was $10.2 million just a season ago, but it has seen a notable reduction this year.
As the Sooners approach the conclusion of the season with only six games left on the schedule, Moser is faced with a rapidly closing window to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Should the Sooners fail to qualify, it would mark a sobering milestone—the team would miss the tournament for the fourth consecutive year, a scenario not witnessed since 1978. The stakes are high, and the coming weeks will undoubtedly be pivotal for not just Moser’s future, but also the direction of Oklahoma basketball.
