Jim Tanner contract details: Salary, bonuses revealed for North Carolina GM

When Hubert Davis vowed to change North Carolina’s approach this offseason, he said the program would hire a general manager. Jim Tanner eventually took the role, and his contract details have been revealed.

Tanner signed a five-year contract to become UNC’s GM – which can be reopened after the third year – and is due to make $950,000 this year, according to the term sheet. The deal states his salary is $850,000, but he already satisfied a condition to increase that figure by $100,000, per the contract.

Tanner can trigger a $100,000 bonus if the Tar Heels make the NCAA Tournament or if the program lands a four- or five-star recruit “during the preceding contract year,” the contract reads. This offseason, UNC signed five transfers and landed international prospect Luka Bogavac.

Tanner is also eligible for a bonus equal to two months’ pay if North Carolina wins an NCAA postseason game, plays in the Sweet Sixteen, advances to the Final Four or wins a national championship. He also can either use a leased vehicle for university business or a $7,500 vehicle allowance.

If the school terminates Tanner’s contract, he would be due the amount of salary at the time of termination. Payment would come in equal monthly installments in a two-year payout through June 30, 2030.

There’s also an “Additional Staffing” section of Tanner’s deal. It states he will negotiate the general manager’s budget with Davis, which includes funds to support compensation for the staff and other support staff such as directors and assistants. The clause states it would be “an amount commensurate with high-level programs.”

Jim Tanner graduated from North Carolina in 1990 and formerly served as an agent as the former president and founder of Tandem Sports and Entertainment. He represented notable names such as Ray Allen, Ja Morant, Serge Ibaka and Jason Richardson, among many others.

Now, he’s returning to his alma mater as general manager. In a statement at the time UNC announced his hiring, Tanner cited the ever-changing college basketball landscape with NIL and the transfer portal as reasons he wants to help the Tar Heels compete at the highest level.

“Both of my kids and I went to Carolina and we owe so much as a family to this university,” Tanner said. “This is such an exciting opportunity, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. The landscape of college basketball has changed dramatically in a short period of time with NIL, collectives and the transfer portal. It’s a highly-competitive and constantly-evolving environment.

“I look forward to using my 28 years of experience recruiting and representing players to help position UNC as strategic, adaptive and innovative in scouting and attracting top domestic and international talent while staying true to the principles and values that have defined Carolina Basketball over the years. I look forward to working with Coach Davis, the staff, Bubba Cunningham and the Carolina Athletics family.”