Report: Former Northwestern AD Received $1.2M Golden Parachute for Nine Days on the Job

A new report shows Northwestern University paid handsomely for former athletic director Mike Polisky's nine days on the job. 

According to Sportico which examined the school's tax records, Polisky received a $1.2 million golden parachute upon leaving the university. 

The records show that Polisky was given a $750,000 severance in 2022, as well as $476,190 in separation pay. 

Polisky had served as NU's deputy director for a decade prior to being promoted to replace the departing Jim Phillips, who left to become ACC commissioner. Polisky resigned May 12, 2021, less than two weeks after being promoted. 

Four months prior to his resignation, Polisky had been named as a co-defendant in a sex trafficking lawsuit filed against NU by former Hayden Richardson, who alleged being subject to repeated acts of sexual misconduct by alumni and donors at various football events that she was obligated to attend. 

Polisky’s elevation to the AD role was met with backlash. Some cheerleaders claimed Polisky did not do enough to address claims of sexual harassment the cheerleading team had brought to him as a mandated reporter. Black cheerleaders also expressed that policies on the team wer racially discriminatory — such as a policy banning particular hairstyles often worn by Black women. In his previous role, Polisky oversaw the cheerleading team. 

In April 2022, Polisky took over as president of Intersport’s Association of Pickleball Players, which runs a sanctioned pro tour and hosts various amateur events.