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Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany to receive $20M in bonus payments

Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Serving as Big Ten commissioner is proving to be very lucrative for Jim Delany, as federal tax return documents obtained by Steve Berkowitz of USA Today show that he's set to receive $20 million in bonus payments.

The Big Ten reported an annual revenue of $483.4 million on the tax return, a number that is set to increase further with new television contracts on the horizon.

"Commissioner Delany has provided invaluable leadership for Big Ten member institutions while delivering first-in-class performance during a time of great transformation in college athletics," Minnesota president Eric Kaler, chairman of the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors, said in a statement. "He has not only successfully balanced the missions of academic achievement, student-athlete development and athletic success, he has successfully developed the resources necessary to strategically position the conference for success well into the future."

The document states Delany received $2.4 million in annual salary in 2015.

Delany has served in his role since 1989, with his crowning achievement being the expansion of the conference from 10 to 14 teams and the creation of the Big Ten television network.

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