Ahead of his last year of collegiate basketball, Chad Baker-Mazara is in the gateway. The contentious Auburn star’s transfer choice is generating news.
Following his junior season, the forward allegedly inked a seven-figure contract with the Tigers. After witnessing the pay of a new teammate, he changed his mind.
Baker-Mazara played a significant role in Auburn’s March run to the Final Four. The guard set career highs in assists and steals and averaged 12.3 points per game. That performance was sufficient to earn a spot on the third team of the SEC.
The veteran had a convoluted journey to Auburn. He is far older than most of his opponents and teammates.
After a year of prep school, Baker-Mazara was given a late start in college. Because of NCAA decisions, he has been able to use several redshirts despite transferring three times. Now, he wants to make one more profit on the NIL market.
Initially, it was anticipated that he would remain at Auburn for his third and last season. That might not be true. This summer, Chad Baker-Mazara went on the transfer portal in search of a better match (or payoff).
Chad Baker-Mazara could owe the Tigers for that transfer decision
The guard was already committed to a seven-figure deal for his last season, according to Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68. He then wanted a renegotiate after learning that a new colleague would receive twice his compensation.
According to Goodman, Auburn spent $2.2 million to sign Keyshawn Hall, a transfer. After learning about it, Baker-Mazara requested a raise.
The offer was increased by the Tigers, but not enough to appease their star guard. So he ran.
Goodman maintains that the agreement has a buyout clause that, in the event that Baker-Mazara leaves, would compel him to return to Auburn 60% of the agreed-upon income. After witnessing others in collegiate athletics suffer injuries, the Tigers inserted that clause into the contract.
Before she entered the portal, Baker-Mazara was aware of those repercussions. He thinks a bigger offer as a move will allow him to recover that money.
This week, he sent a mysterious statement on Instagram. “He who laughs last, laughs best” was the approximate translation of the photo’s caption.
The debt is not a concern for Chad Baker-Mazara. When it’s all over, he thinks he’ll have the final laugh and a lot bigger paycheck.
As of right now, the guard has not committed to playing for another school. This might not be a problem if he goes back to Auburn. Additionally, according to Goodman, Auburn must be prepared to sue Baker-Mazara should he transfer without upholding the buyout provision.
The institution undoubtedly wants to safeguard itself against such circumstances in the future, and failing to enforce the buyout would create a negative precedent. Right now, it looks like the former Tiger will pay his old school six figures to play somewhere else for his last season.
