How Much Did Will Wade Earn in Bonuses in Year 1 at NC State?

Will Wade had the ability to earn up to $2 million in bonuses in his first season as the head coach at NC State. With the Wolfpack’s season over, how much extra money did Wade pocket?

With his base salary set at $2.5 million this year, Wade had the ability to earn up to $1.7 million in “Competitive Team Achievement Bonuses” and $300,000 in “Academic Bonuses.” With the academic year still going, we can’t speak to the academic bonuses, but Wade did earn $112,500 in Competitive Team Achievement Bonuses.

• $37,500 for winning 10 conference of 18 regular season games
• $25,000 for making a Quarterfinal appearance in the ACC Tournament
• $50,000 for making an appearance in the First Four game of the NCAA Tournament.

Next year, Wade’s base salary will increase to $2.65 million, but his bonus structure will stay intact.

Here’s a look at all of the details of Wade’s contract, laying out all of the bonuses he could have earned.

6 years = $17.25 million

Annual Salary Breakdown

2025-26 salary = $2.5 million
2026-27 salary = $2.65 million
2027-28 = $2.8 million
2028-29 = $2.95 million
2029-30 – $3.1 million
2030-31 – $3.25 million

Possible Annual Bonuses

Between Possible Competitive Team Achievement Bonuses & Academic Bonuses, Wade can earn up to $2 million annually in bonuses.

Competitive Team Achievement Bonuses: Up to $1.7 million

Conference or Regular Season Wins (Not cumulative. Max Bonus = Highest Level of Achievement)

Win 10 Conference or 18 Regular Season Games = $37,500
Win 12 Conference or 20 Regular Season Games = $75,000
Win 14 Conference or 22 Regular Season Games = $112,500
Win 16 Conference or 24 Regular Season Games = $150,000

ACC Regular Season Champion = $100,000

ACC Tournament Seed Bonus: 1-4 = $100,000

ACC Tournament Bonuses by Round (Not cumulative. Max Bonus = Highest Level of Achievement)

1st Round Appearance = $5,000
2nd Round Appearance = $10,000
Quarterfinal Appearance = $25,000
Semifinal Appearance = $50,000
Championship Game Appearance = $75,000
Tournament Champion = $100,000

NCAA Tournament Bonuses by Round (Not cumulative. Max Bonus = Highest Level of Achievement)

First Four = $50,000
Round of 64 = $75,000
Round of 32 = $125,000
Sweet 16 = $250,000
Elite 8 = $375,000
Final Four = $500,000
Championship Game = $750,000
NCAA Champion = $1 million

Final Top-25 Bonuses (AP or Coaches) (Not cumulative. Max Bonus = Highest Level of Achievement)

Ranked in the Top-25 = $50,000
Ranked in the Top-10 = $100,000

ACC Coach of the Year (ACC Sports Media Association) = $50,000

National Coach of the Year (ESPN, USA Today, AP, Sports Illustrated, Naismith College Coach of the Year Award) = $100,000

Academic Bonuses: Up to $300,000 

Federal Graduation Rate (Not cumulative. Max Bonus = Highest Level of Achievement)

Single Year Federal Graduation Rate – 70-79% = $25,000
Single Year Federal Graduation Rate – 80-89% = $50,000
Single Year Federal Graduation Rate – 90-99% = $75,000
Single Year Federal Graduation Rate – 100% = $100,000

Graduation Success Rate (Not cumulative. Max Bonus = Highest Level of Achievement)

Four Year Graduation Success Rate – 70-79% = $25,000
Four Year Graduation Success Rate – 80-89% = $50,000
Four Year Graduation Success Rate – 90-99% = $75,000
Four Year Graduation Success Rate – 100% = $100,000

Academic Progress Rate (Not cumulative. Max Bonus = Highest Level of Achievement)

Single Year Academic Progress Rate – 970-979 = $25,000
Single Year Academic Progress Rate – 980-989 = $50,000
Single Year Academic Progress Rate – 990-999 = $75,000
Single Year Academic Progress Rate – 1000 = $100,000

Buyout

NC State will pay McNeese St. $1 million to satisfy Wade’s current financial obligations owed.

Buyout Owed to NC State if Wade Leaves

Buyout owed to NC State prior to 4/1/26 = $5 million
Buyout owed to NC State prior to 4/1/27 = $3 million
Buyout owed to NC State prior to 4/1/28 = $2 million
Buyout owed to NC State prior to 4/1/29 = $1 million