Andy Katz is reporting on espn.com that UK and John Calipari are in final negotiations over a contract that would call for $35 million over eight years.
The 6-year, $30-million deal was what had been thrown around. Some have heard it was going to be in the $40 million range over eight years. The negotiations may be why things have grown quiet in the past couple of ours. Memphis radio had been saying there could be an announcement at 5 or so, but that obviously hasn’t happened. My guess is that there will be no press conference before Tuesday afternoon.
Katz writes:
John Calipari and Kentucky inched ever closer to a deal on Monday night that could make him the highest-paid coach in the country, a source close to the situation said.
While Calipari met with Memphis officials, representatives for both sides were working out details of an agreement. Sources told ESPN.com that the offer is believed to be for eight years and around $35 million.
One source close to the situation said that the deal could be ironed out by later Monday evening.
Florida’s Billy Donovan is currently the highest-paid coach in the country, securing a deal for $3.5 million per year after his second national championship.
http://tinyurl.com/d6pes8
John,
Are you hearing anything substantive on whether the issue of previously committed UK recruits could be a deal breaker? I can’t imagine money would be the issue at the levels we are talking about.
No, have not heard that.
Hey John here’s one use can use..
The drama life of a UK fan..
As the Beauty and the Beast begin
their Search for Tomorrow looking for
that one Guiding Light while
All my Children spend their time
wondering though the Days of our Lives
being the Young and the Restless
hoping that they won’t be admitted
to their General Hospital as they wait
to see and hear the announcement
of UK’s new basketball coach,
because we only have One Life to Live.
I understand unsigned recruits following Cal, and even signed recruits asking for a release. I am not happy about the rumored transfers of existing players. I’m just thinking what I would feel if it were our coach taking current players — I wouldn’t like it — it would feel (though not technically be) improper. I fully expect that we may lose Orten and Furgeson (a shame if we do – he is a real player). That’s fair – part of the game. I don’t want to get stolen players though. I also think Cal has to decide who to offer future scholarships to. He shouldn’t be forced to offer Billy G’s unsigned recruits scholarships. Being unsigned means getting to change your mind.
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, it just hasn’t got caught yet.