TEMPE – Since his rise to power in May 2024, Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini has taken the university to new heights. Under his regime, ASU has had the most conference championships since 2007-2008, making it to four Big 12 championships (football, women’s volleyball, and men’s and women’s swim and dive).
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Rossini’s success in such a short time has earned him praise around the valley, and potentially a hefty raise and extension. According to the Board of Regents agenda filings, ASU will propose a three-year contract extension and raise for Rossini on Thursday. The raise will be a $300,000 increase and include many incentives.
ASU athletic director Graham Rossini during a news conference at Papago Golf Club in Phoenix on March 26, 2025. Syndication: Arizona Republic
ASU AD Rossini Salary Increase and extension:
Base Salary: $650,000 -> $950,000
Annual increase: $50,000 -> $100,000
Contract extension: 2027-> 2030
The incentives in the imposed raise would be a $60,000 bonus if Sun Devils football would repeat as Big 12 champions. And if approved, the contract would have a $100,000 signing bonus for Rossini for the job he’s done with the university’s athletic programs.
ASU president Michael M. Crow, new women’s basketball head coach Molly Miller, and athletic director Graham Rossini (right) during a news conference at Papago Golf Club in Phoenix on March 26, 2025. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Rossini’s work isn’t only on-field success, but his ability to track down and secure elite leadership to lead ASU programs. Securing contract extensions with football head coach Kenny Dillingham and women’s volleyball head coach JJ Van Niel is essentially to keep championship-winning coaches happy in Tempe. Rossini is bringing in the top coaches in each program’s respective sport, namely the hiring of former GCU women’s basketball coach Molly Miller to the Sun Devils.
ASU’s athletics is thriving for the first time in over a decade, and Rossini is cashing in on a well-deserved raise for his work. However, consistency has been the bane of Sun Devils’ sports, making fans hesitate to buy in. However, Rossini’s next job is showing that his debut year wasn’t a fluke.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
