What happened: Kansas faces a decision on Lance Leipold after six seasons with one winning campaign. The athletic department is funding an $800 million stadium and Gateway District project while managing revenue-share and NIL costs. His current deal extends through 2029 after an early 2024 extension.

Why it matters: A dismissal without cause after Dec. 1 would cost nearly $18 million paid monthly over a year, plus payouts for assistants and a new staff. Retaining him risks declining ticket sales and football revenue if losses continue. The job would offer a new stadium and locker room to a successor.

What to watch: Watch whether donors offset buyout costs or both sides explore reduced terms after Dec. 1.