New URI AD Makes Less Than Half of His Compensation at Seton Hall

New URI AD Makes Less Than Half of His Compensation at Seton Hall

University of Rhode Island’s newly appointed athletic director took a major pay cut from his previous job at Seton Hall.

Patrick Lyons earned a compensation package of $751,746 in salary and $127,326 in additional compensation at Seton Hall as the Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff, according to Seton Hall’s most recently posted 990 tax filing. Seton Hall announced his departure in July of 2025.

Now, as the athletic director at Rhode Island, Lyons will be paid a base salary of $350,000, along with a series of incentives and bonuses. The base salary represents more than a 50% cut.

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In comparison, Brown University's AD Grace Calhoun is paid more than $1.2 million in total compensation. And Providence College's Steve Napolillo receives a financial package of more than $720,000.

The full package Lyons is receiving at Rhode Island - salary and bonuses is higher than his predecessor, Thorr Bjorn. He left URI to take a position at the University of Massachusetts. According to Rhode Island payroll records, Bjorn was paid $367,129.88 in his last year.

Lyons will receive:

A one-time $20,000 signing bonus.

A monthly car stipend of $1,000 a month.

An incentive compensation related to competitive success:

 

 

Incentive compensation relating to academic success:

 

 

Incentive compensation related to financial success.

 

 

Further, Lyons will receive a family membership at Quidnessett Country Club

 

Free tickets.

 

There is also a guarantee and buyout provision.

 

 

 

The contract was executed on March 6, 2026, and signed by Lyons and URI president Marc Parlange.

The contract is for 5-years.