Mario Moccia receives contract extension to remain as New Mexico State athletic director

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico - New Mexico State's director of athletics, Mario Moccia will remain as the university's top administrator of athletics.

Moccia recently signed a 5-year contract extension that will keep him at NMSU until 2027.

The news of Moccia's contract extension was made public during a tumultuous week for NMSU.

First, there was news of a lawsuit that was recently filed by two former NMSU basketball players alleging they were sexually assaulted by three teammates, and that the university did nothing to stop it.

Then later in the week a story by ESPN reported about an NMSU staff member on the women's basketball team who allegedly sexually harassed a student who worked at the Pan American Center.

Moccia's contract was signed on April 7, 2023, the same day former NMSU Chancellor Dan Arvizu announced he was stepping down as NMSU Chancellor, three months before his contract was set to expire.

Under his new 5-year contract extension, Moccia will remain as NMSU's athletic director until 2027.

His previous contract was set to expire in 2024.

Moccia was making $280,000 per year under the previous contract that was signed in 2019.

Under his new contract, Moccia's annual salary will increase every year.

Moccia is set to make $351,800 in 2023, $371,800 in 2024, $391,800 in 2025, $400,000 in 2026 and $425,000 in 2027.