Cael Sanderson signs with Penn State wrestling for big $$$

We're not sure which is more surprising, that Penn State was able to lure the greatest wrestler in NCAA history away from his alma mater or that they were willing to pay so much for the services of Cael Sanderson...

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The rumors have Sanderson inking a three-year contract for $500K per year, PLUS a $1 million signing bonus. Contrast that with his $137K base salary at Iowa State (making him one of the highest-paid wrestling coaches in the country) and it's not hard to understand why he accepted Penn State's offer. (That sound you heard was the nation's collegiate wrestling coaches screaming for joy at the game-changing nature of Sanderson's contract.)

Nittany Lion assistant coach Mark Perry thinks it's a great move for both sides...

"It’s phenomenal for Penn State. I don’t think he didn’t think he could build a legacy because Iowa State is already a legacy. But I think he thinks at Penn State he can pretty much build a new dynasty. There’s so much talent out East. Eight of the 10 NCAA champions are from the East coast and zero of them went to Penn State.

"I think he thinks he can land a lot of those kids and do things--I don’t want to say similar to Gable, but I think he thinks he can win a lot of national championships out here. It’s not that I think he didn’t think he could do it at Iowa State, I just think the resources at Penn State are second to none. He’s put in a great environment to build. Penn State is a sleeping giant."

Penn State has a reputation for being cheapskates frugal with regards to coaches salaries, so we have to believe there was a major benefactor behind this move. Pure speculation, but our money is on former PSU Trustee Ira Lubert ’73, who came to Penn State on a wrestling scholarship. According to his Lubert's biography, "he has provided financial support for wrestling and Penn State's All- Sports Museum" as well as serving on "the athletics committee of the National Council on Penn State Philanthropy."

Lubert just obtained a license for 500 slot machines at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia. Valley Forge estimates that it will produce $74 million in annualized gross terminal revenue from slot machine play by its fifth year of operation. (Dang, $74 million could pay for a lot of wrestling coaches!)

[Hats off to UncleLar of Happy Valley Hardball for tipping us to the slot machine story!]

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