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UNC Announces AD Transition Plan From Bubba Cunningham to RFK Racing President Steve Newmark in 2026
ORANGE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, JUL 1 – Steve Newmark, with 15 years leading NASCAR's Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, will focus on revenue growth in football and basketball before becoming UNC's athletic director in 2026.
- In summer 2026, UNC's Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham will step down to a senior advisory role, with RFK Racing President Steve Newmark hired as his successor in 2026.
- North Carolina's contract extension for Bubba Cunningham, tied to a succession plan, prompted a leadership shift as the university adapts to revenue-sharing changes in college sports.
- Additionally, Newmark, who led RFK Racing for 15 years with a focus on sponsorship success, starts August 15 and will prioritize revenue initiatives for UNC's football and basketball programs.
- In summer 2026, Cunningham will advise Chancellor Lee Roberts and Newmark, who begins as athletic director in August 2025, fostering collaborative leadership.
- UNC's planned leadership transition positions the university to adapt to evolving college sports, with nearly 200 new scholarships benefiting student-athletes and alumni.
47 Articles
47 Articles
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Carolina extends Bubba Cunningham's contract, names athletics director successor - The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
As the college athletics landscape continues to evolve, UNC-Chapel Hill and its athletics department continue to adapt for success. Bubba Cunningham — who since 2011 has led the Tar Heels to 24 national titles and 11 top-10 Learfield Directors Cup finishes while advocating for student-athlete opportunities, transforming Carolina’s facilities and successfully navigating an onslaught of industry change — has agreed to a two-year contract extension…
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