It’s official: UK adds Newton to Cal’s staff

The long speculated addition of Martin Newton to John Calipari’s Kentucky basketball is official.

UK has hired Newton as Director of Basketball Operations.

In response to an open records request, UK provided a copy of Newton’s contract. Newton, the son of former UK Director of Athletics C.M. Newton, signed a two-year contract that will pay him a base salary of $165,000 annually.

The contract includes several incentive bonuses rewarding team achievement on the court and in the classroom.

The bonuses for winning include $2,500 for winning the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division championship, another $2,500 for winning the SEC regular-season title, one month’s salary ($13,750) for the team receiving a bid to the NCAA Tournament and two months’ salary ($27,500) for the team advancing to the Final Four.

The classroom bonuses are $2,500 for an Academic Progress Rat of .950 or better in a year and another $2,500 for a graduation rate of 75 percent or better in a year.

Newton, who had been working for Nike, will also receive four tickets to each home basketball game and two tickets to each home football game.