 |
|
USA Today on Self benefiting from cheating
Posted on: March 13, 2020 at 12:30:23 CT
FIJItiger MU
Posts:
147761
Member For:
22.48 yrs
Level:
Moderator
M.O.B. Votes:
15
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2020/03/11/college-basketball-coaches-salaries-schools-pay-more-after-fbi-probe/5012939002/
Nearly 30 months since an FBI corruption case rocked college basketball, some of the nation’s top programs are still operating under a cloud of suspicion even as their coaches stand to earn more money than ever:
Bill Self, the head coach of No. 1 Kansas, is earning $4 million this year and is due a separate $6 million lump payment in March 2022. Last September, the NCAA filed allegations against Kansas that said Self was among those who “willfully engaged in NCAA violations” and “blatantly” disregarded NCAA rules.
Only one school caught in the mess so far – Louisville – fired its head coach, a move that came with its own prospect of spiraling costs. Others used different strategies to contain the fallout, including disbelieving the allegations (Kansas), blaming the misconduct on a rogue assistant coach (Auburn) or using what leverage they could muster for “CYA,” as one legal observer described it, meaning “Covering Your (backside).”
Kansas and Self blasted back at the NCAA last week, denying the allegations and saying Self had no knowledge of any NCAA rules violations. In his 77-page defense, Self said the allegations against him were based on a “misguided, unprecedented, and meritless interpretation and application of NCAA booster and recruiting legislation.”
The university arguably has bigger reasons than others to fight the NCAA and might have the most to lose, if only because of its stature as a basketball blueblood with three Final Four appearances under Self since 2008.
Self also has leverage against the school that was negotiated into his contract after he led the Jayhawks to the national title game in 2012. Even if the university were to fire him for major NCAA rules violations before April 2022, he would be owed a $5.4 million “contingent signing bonus,” according to the terms of his contract.
This stipulation contrasts starkly with other coaches’ contracts, which typically stipulate that a coach is entitled to no further payment after getting fired “for cause,” which would include being found responsible for cheating. Unlike other schools under the NCAA cloud, KU has not amended Self’s contract to mitigate its risk in the event of NCAA penalties.
“This is a most unique provision, and he is one (of) the few coaches that has leverage to secure such a provision,” said sports attorney Bob Lattinville, who assists USA TODAY Sports with its annual coaching pay review and is a member of the firm Spencer Fane LLP. “The practical effect of this provision is that Kansas has indemnified Coach Self in the event recruiting rules are violated.”
The NCAA filed allegations against Kansas in September, almost a year after former Adidas consultant T.J. Gassnola testified in federal court that he provided payments to the families of top recruits, including KU recruits Billy Preston and Silvio De Sousa. Adidas is KU’s athletics apparel sponsor, and the NCAA considers the company’s representatives to be boosters of the school. Gassnola testified he concealed his activities from the universities, but the NCAA says Self failed to identify the red flags and “knew or should have known” about the recruiting violations.
Given KU’s strenuous support of Self in this case, Lattinville said it appears unlikely Kansas would fire him for cause even if the NCAA hammers Kansas with harsh penalties. He said Self’s $5.4 million bonus provision supports the notion that KU would stick with him.
Kansas, meanwhile, is headed for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. “I haven’t let that bog me down as a distraction,” Self said of the case recently.
Nearly 30 months since an FBI corruption case rocked college basketball, some of the nation’s top programs are still operating under a cloud of suspicion even as their coaches stand to earn more money than ever:
Bill Self, the head coach of No. 1 Kansas, is earning $4 million this year and is due a separate $6 million lump payment in March 2022. Last September, the NCAA filed allegations against Kansas that said Self was among those who “willfully engaged in NCAA violations” and “blatantly” disregarded NCAA rules.
Only one school caught in the mess so far – Louisville – fired its head coach, a move that came with its own prospect of spiraling costs. Others used different strategies to contain the fallout, including disbelieving the allegations (Kansas), blaming the misconduct on a rogue assistant coach (Auburn) or using what leverage they could muster for “CYA,” as one legal observer described it, meaning “Covering Your (backside).”
Kansas and Self blasted back at the NCAA last week, denying the allegations and saying Self had no knowledge of any NCAA rules violations. In his 77-page defense, Self said the allegations against him were based on a “misguided, unprecedented, and meritless interpretation and application of NCAA booster and recruiting legislation.”
The university arguably has bigger reasons than others to fight the NCAA and might have the most to lose, if only because of its stature as a basketball blueblood with three Final Four appearances under Self since 2008.
Self also has leverage against the school that was negotiated into his contract after he led the Jayhawks to the national title game in 2012. Even if the university were to fire him for major NCAA rules violations before April 2022, he would be owed a $5.4 million “contingent signing bonus,” according to the terms of his contract.
This stipulation contrasts starkly with other coaches’ contracts, which typically stipulate that a coach is entitled to no further payment after getting fired “for cause,” which would include being found responsible for cheating. Unlike other schools under the NCAA cloud, KU has not amended Self’s contract to mitigate its risk in the event of NCAA penalties.
“This is a most unique provision, and he is one (of) the few coaches that has leverage to secure such a provision,” said sports attorney Bob Lattinville, who assists USA TODAY Sports with its annual coaching pay review and is a member of the firm Spencer Fane LLP. “The practical effect of this provision is that Kansas has indemnified Coach Self in the event recruiting rules are violated.”
The NCAA filed allegations against Kansas in September, almost a year after former Adidas consultant T.J. Gassnola testified in federal court that he provided payments to the families of top recruits, including KU recruits Billy Preston and Silvio De Sousa. Adidas is KU’s athletics apparel sponsor, and the NCAA considers the company’s representatives to be boosters of the school. Gassnola testified he concealed his activities from the universities, but the NCAA says Self failed to identify the red flags and “knew or should have known” about the recruiting violations.
Given KU’s strenuous support of Self in this case, Lattinville said it appears unlikely Kansas would fire him for cause even if the NCAA hammers Kansas with harsh penalties. He said Self’s $5.4 million bonus provision supports the notion that KU would stick with him.
Kansas, meanwhile, is headed for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. “I haven’t let that bog me down as a distraction,” Self said of the case recently.
Please explain why this message is being reported.
MESSAGE THREAD
USA Today on Self benefiting from cheating - FIJItiger MU - 3/13 12:30:23