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Chad Baker-Mazara has chosen a new college basketball team after leaving the Auburn Tigers this spring. The guard saw his lofty NIL demands met, and then some, by his school-to-be.
Baker-Mazara committed to USC on Monday after spending a few days in the transfer portal. Details on his NIL contract are quickly coming to light.
The transfer saga is now coming to a close following a week’s worth of drama. Baker-Mazara was an integral part of the Tigers‘ Final Four team in 2024-25, averaging 12.3 points per night.
He chose to return to school for a sixth college season, with the expectation that he’d be playing at Auburn as a super senior. Things changed after he saw a new teammate’s price tag.
Chad Baker-Mazara signed a deal with the Tigers worth no less than $1 million this offseason. He then saw the program pay incoming transfer Keyshawn Hall $2.2 million to join the roster.
Baker-Mazara demanded a pay raise. Auburn reportedly upped its offer but would not meet the guard’s ask. He then entered the portal.
As a result, a breach of contract was in play. Should he ultimately sign a new deal with a new team, he was on the hook for more $600,000 according to the terms of his agreement. It appears he’ll do just that.
Chad Baker-Mazara committed to USC.
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He plans to ditch the Auburn contract no matter the consequence. It seems his new deal is taking that into account.
Baker-Mazara is planning to join former SEC coach Eric Musselman with the Trojans. USC is rumored to be paying at least $3 million for that pledge.
Justin Hokanson of On3 Sports provided a brief breakdown of everything that transpired behind the scenes. A trusted source sent the expected salary for Baker-Mazara’s final season. That number is significant for a number of reasons.
First, it more than exceeds the $2 million number that Baker-Mazara might’ve been seeking after seeing Keyshawn Hall’s deal. It also leaves an extra $1 million of which $600,000 can be used to pay back Auburn.
Chad Baker-Mazara seems to have gotten his wish. His new team is giving him a raise while simultaneously covering a debt owed to his old school.
Auburn, first, must choose to enforce that breach of contract decision. We’ve recently seen others in the SEC take legal action in an attempt to impose buyout clauses.
If the NIL rumors are true, the Tigers should have no issue recouping cash. It could prove to be a win-win for both parties.