Penny Hardaway said Monday in Tampa that he put $2.6 million of his own money into Memphis’ revenue sharing for the 2026-27 season, part of a total package he said sits at $9 million.
At American Conference Media Day, Hardaway told the Commercial Appeal that the Tigers pushed him to get in on the spending if he wanted more resources for the roster.
"They didn't ask me to do it, they were saying if you want more money, you have to put your money in. So I did," Hardaway told Jason Munz of the Commercial Appeal.
"I didn't want to fail two years in a row, because I already know what that means for me. Because it's already like the death sentence for me from so many different people, which is hilarious."
Memphis is coming off a 13-19 season and an 8-10 mark in the American, a finish that kept the Tigers out of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2024. The setback added pressure around Hardaway, who had previously taken Memphis to three NCAA Tournament appearances in four seasons before the program’s lowest win total in a single year since the 1999-00 campaign.
The Tigers spent the offseason reshaping the roster, bringing in nine transfers. That group includes Pitt guard Brandin Cummings and Washington State forward Rihard Vavers. Memphis also added four-star guard Fred Smith Jr., who was ranked No. 97 in the 2026 recruiting cycle by 247Sports.
Hardaway’s move fits a growing trend in college basketball, where coaches are increasingly tying their own money to roster-building. DePaul coach Chris Holtmann said at Big East Media Day that he accepted a lower salary in his contract extension so more money could be directed toward revenue sharing.
"Let's change the last couple of years, really for Years 5, 6 and 7, let's change the structure of the contract where I'm making less money," Holtmann said. "I think for me the most important thing is being competitive and in order to be competitive, we need to raise NIL. ...
It was pretty significant that I did that. I told my agent I did it and the AD had agreed to it, and he goes, 'What are you doing?'"
In Other News...
Georgia's Alabama Win Just Got More Complicated For Kirby Smart
Georgias win over Alabama in Week 6 pushed Kirby Smarts team to 6-0 and kept the Bulldogs at No. 1, but it also added another layer of concern to what had already become a physical stretch. Smart pointed to the injury situation after the game, and one of the bigger hits in the backfield involves junior running back Chauncey Bowens, who is dealing with a lower-body injury.
Bowens is set to miss the Week 7 trip to Auburn, and there is no timetable yet for his return. With Bowens and Nate Frazier both dealing with injuries, Georgia has been forced into a committee approach at running back, a setup that works in the short term but leaves Smart managing one more variable as the schedule keeps moving. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama May Have To Reshuffle Key Spots Before Tennessee
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Coleman-Williams is working through knee and head injuries, while Green is sidelined with a lower-leg issue, leaving Alabama to sort out key spots if those absences hold through game day. DeBoer said this week that he had updates on player conditions and potential replacements for injured starters, which means the Tide are already weighing how to reshuffle important roles before facing a Tennessee team that will be eager to test any thin spots in the rotation. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Defense May Finally Get The Help It Needs Vs Tennessee
Alabamas defense has been carrying a heavy load lately, and the weekly availability report offered at least one encouraging sign before the Tennessee game. Star receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams and defensive tackle Terrance Green were listed as out, but sophomore linebacker Justin Hill was tagged as probable, setting up a potential boost for a unit that has needed more speed, flexibility and depth in the middle of the field.
Hills return would matter because Alabama has been looking for ways to lighten the burden on its linebackers while sharpening its pressure up front. A player who can give the defense more versatility can also help the Tide rotate more cleanly and keep fresh legs on the field, which is exactly the kind of support this matchup could demand. [Read more 🡒]