Breaking: WVU, AD Wren Baker Agree on Contract Extension

To squash the recent speculation, WVU and director of athletics Wren Baker have agreed on a contract extension, as reported by West Virginia’s MetroNews on Thursday.

In a final move by WVU’s former president Gordon Gee, two additional years have been added to Baker’s contract. He is now locked up through 2032.

New WVU president Michael T. Benson announced Baker’s contract extension during a live appearance on the MetroNews Talkline show.

“He has told me he is very happy here and his wife and daughters are very happy here,” said Benson. “We have extended his contract. He is doing an unbelievable job. He is the new chair of the athletic directors within the Big 12. I have been on a few calls already with that group. He is very well-respected.

“You look at the coaches he just extended a few days ago and the hire of Rich Rod has gotten people very animated and very excited, and Coach Hodge. I am very impressed with the operation and how well he is doing in terms of revenue generation and forward thinking about where we want to take the University.”

As part of his new deal, Baker will receive annual raises of $100,000 for each year of the contract, increasing his salary from $1.3 million in 2025 to $2 million in 2032, as reported by MetroNews. And in an effort to continue to retain Baker, he will also earn annual retention bonuses of $200,000 if he remains athletic director on July 1 of each year through 2029. The retention bonus then increases to $500,000 in 2030.

WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose

Baker doesn’t make a habit of addressing rumors, but he did offer a response to the most recent speculation concerning his future at WVU.

During an interview with Taylor Kennedy of the Charleston Gazette, Baker expressed his love for West Virginia and his happiness in his current home.

“First of all, any time your name is thrown out there [then] there will be speculation. It is a credit to the people here [like] the student-athletes, coaches and staff that are doing the majority of the work. I’m the member of a team of several hundred and no one is more significant than the other. People recognize that there are a lot of good things happening at WVU,” said Baker, taking the opportunity to compliment his staff and what’s going on at WVU.

“I love it here [at WVU]. My wife and two girls, more importantly, love it here and love being here. We’re very, very happy here. In the time I’ve been here, I’ve not ever entertained anything else,” he added.

“However, you also don’t want to get into the habit of every time there’s speculation then it’s your responsibility to pour water on it either. “Generally, I don’t address it. I’ve stayed consistent about what I can honestly tell people and that is that we’re extraordinarily happy here.”

No matter how bumpy the ride has been, Baker has embraced his new home in West Virginia since taking over at WVU. He’s even turned down multiple opportunities to jump ship.

Find more coverage of Wren Baker at WV Sports Now.

For a related story, Wren Baker details how he’s going to distribute the money to every WVU team in the revenue sharing era.