Auburn Star Chad Baker-Mazara Demands Bigger NIL Deal, Faces Six-Figure Debt After Breaking Contract
Chad Baker-Mazara is making waves in the college basketball world once again, but this time, it’s not for his on-court performance. The veteran Auburn forward, fresh off a standout year that helped propel the Tigers to the Final Four, is now in the transfer portal, and the reasons behind his decision are causing a stir.
After posting a career-high 12.3 points per game, Baker-Mazara was a key figure in Auburn’s deep March Madness run. His stellar play earned him third-team All-SEC honors, and he seemed poised to return for one last season in Auburn blue. But after hearing about the $2.2 million NIL deal offered to new teammate Keyshawn Hall, Baker-Mazara began to reassess his situation.
The 24-year-old forward, who’s no stranger to the transfer portal with multiple moves throughout his college career, had already inked a seven-figure NIL deal for his senior year with Auburn. However, upon learning of Hall’s far larger contract, Baker-Mazara was reportedly dissatisfied, pushing for a renegotiation of his terms. The Tigers made a counteroffer, but it wasn’t enough to keep the guard from looking elsewhere.
In what can only be described as a high-stakes negotiation, Auburn and Baker-Mazara reached an impasse. The program, however, had already anticipated this kind of situation. According to Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68, Auburn included a buyout clause in the contract, ensuring that if Baker-Mazara were to leave early, he’d owe the university 60% of his agreed-upon salary. This means if the guard follows through with his transfer, he could be on the hook for a six-figure sum.
Despite the looming debt, Baker-Mazara seems unfazed, posting a cryptic message on Instagram: “He who laughs last, laughs best.” His confidence suggests he believes a bigger payday is in his future, likely through a new NIL deal at his next school.
While the guard hasn’t yet committed to another team, the possibility of a legal battle with Auburn looms. If he does transfer without settling the buyout, the Tigers could pursue legal action to enforce the contract terms. Auburn has no choice but to protect its interests, ensuring that future athletes understand the importance of honoring such deals.
For now, it seems Baker-Mazara is betting that his next move will come with a larger financial reward—one that may allow him to settle the debt and still emerge victorious.