After the season, I reported that either Chad Baker-Mazara or USC’s collective would owe Auburn’s collective money because CBM’s contract included buyout language. At the time, I was told Auburn might be owed north of $1 million.
I’m now told Auburn’s collective received roughly half of that amount from the USC collective.
These buyouts don’t always play out at the full number listed in the contract. The figure can’t be “punitive” toward a player leaving, so it’s almost always negotiated down. There’s also the time, cost, and potential bad publicity that could come with trying to litigate for every dollar.
In short, regardless of what the official buyout number says, the final amount will almost always end up being a negotiated figure if a player leaves and owes money. That's my understanding.
Paging Johnnie Cochran!
