By Jimmy Hyams

The Tennessee athletic department has adopted a tiered salary reduction plan that will reduce payroll by up to $1.6 million over an eight-month period, effective Nov. 1.

The athletics staff was made aware of the plan in September.

The first $50,000 of an employee’s compensation will not be impacted.

Compensation from $50,000 to $150,000 will be reduced 5%.

Compensation exceeding $150,000 will be reduced 10%.

“As part of the department’s ongoing efforts to mitigate the revenue shortfall and budgetary impact resulting largely from the pandemic, a salary reduction plan is being implemented for the remainder of the fiscal year,’’ according to UT sports information director Tom Satkoviak.

The reduced pay plan `is one of several elements of the department’s comprehensive strategy – coordinated with university leadership – to responsibly navigate this fiscal year and beyond,’’ Satkoviak said.

“Other mitigation measures include, but are not limited to, a hiring freeze on vacant positions, emergency-only deferred maintenance on facilities, a transition to mobile ticketing and a focus on regional team travel.’’

It is not known how many athletic department employees this affects, but it does impact each coach, except football coach Jeremy Pruitt.

Pruitt recently agreed to delay his $400,000 raise in his extension until the next fiscal year.

Contract employees must sign an amendment to agree to the plan, Satkoviak said.

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