I can't see a scenario where Iowa pays a $9 million buyout after next year. I think the team will make modest improvements in the win/loss column because it cannot get worse than last year and that will be spun as things headed in the right direction.
While that is certainly a possibility, Barta may have no choice in the matter but to eat the buyout. I mean, what is the buyout after another year? 8 million? So you are essentially saying you can't take a hit on the million dollars? Three straight years of losing and an empty arena would likely force his hand.