Iowa settles racial discrimination case for $4 million, auditor calls for Gary Barta departure

The University of Iowa and the State of Iowa will be paying a combined $4 million as part of a settlement in a lawsuit from former players, according to Hawk Central. However, the State Auditor is now saying he only wants the state to help pay the settlement if the school parts ways with AD Gary Barta.

Here was that report:

“A $4 million settlement agreement has been reached in the lawsuit filed by a group of Black former University of Iowa football players who claimed head coach Kirk Ferentz oversaw a racially discriminatory culture, according to State Auditor Rob Sand.”

Then, Sand’s request to remove Barta:

“The Iowa Department of Management’s State Appeal Board was expected to vote on the matter by Monday afternoon. However, Sand, one of the three appeal board members, said Monday morning he would oppose using taxpayer funds for the settlement unless Iowa athletics director Gary Barta was ousted.”

For those curious what that board does, here was Hawk Central’s description of it:

“The State Appeal Board is a three-member board comprised of the auditor of state, treasurer of state, and director of the department. The board approves or rejects, and pays claims against the state or a state employee, and resolves local budget protests.”

Additionally, the report noted that this is not the first settlement the school has had to make over a discrimination lawsuit during Barta’s tenure. In fact, one of the other suits resulted in an even more expensive settlement than this one. Apparently, though, this settlement is the first where taxpayer money will be used to pay it off rather than just the school’s.

“For the first time they want part paid from the taxpayers’ general fund, even though they now collect tens of millions annually thru the Big Ten TV deal.”

Plus, we know that Sand only wants to use taxpayer money if Gary Barta is fired. So, if the school opts to stand by their athletic director, they could wind up being on the hook for the whole settlement themselves.