Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel will receive more than $7 million as part of his buyout plus additional perks, according to a copy of the agreement obtained by Front Office Sports.
The agreement comes on the heels of Michigan’s announcement that Manuel will step down in the wake of investigations into the culture of Michigan athletics and into the handling of former football coach Sherrone Moore’s affair with then-executive assistant Paige Shiver.
Manuel will stay on until the end of the calendar year, and will take on a special assistant role advising the university on how to implement reforms stipulated in the report, the university previously said.
The Detroit News first reported several of the contract details.
The separation agreement shines a light on some details regarding his status with Michigan. It is titled as a “settlement agreement,” and stipulates that it constitutes a “complete settlement of Mr. Manuel’s claims against UM.” The settlement also notes that Manuel’s personnel file with Michigan will reflect that he “voluntarily resigns”. The agreement was signed by Manuel on July 17, 2026—one day after a Michigan university board meeting where his future was not discussed, and several days before the school made the announcement about his future.
