Daniel Acker/Bloomberg
This is the most bizarre story in Kentucky sports in years:
- New: Deadspin’s take on the Pitino story.
- Fox 41 video of the story, including video of its interview with Karen Sypher, the estranged wife of U of L equipment manager Tim Sypher. Karen Sypher has been idenified as the one making the alleged extortion attempt against Pitino. Fox 41 says it is holding the interview with Sypher.
- Eric Crawford’s C-J blog with a statement this morning from Tim Sypher.
- The Courier-Journal’s original story on Pitino’s statement saying he had contacted the FBI about an extortion attempt.
- Here’s the AP story on the Pitino case.
- A picture of Karen Sypher which ran in the AJC from last year’s Kentucky Derby.
What a bizarre case. Kind of makes you wonder if this is why Pitino never entered into the coaching job search @ UK. Maybe they did court him but found out about this during the vetting? Interesting….
I highly doubt Pitino was ever in consideration for the UK coaching position. At Thunder over Louisville last night, I overheard Card fans talking about rumors of point shaving. They talked as if this is one of the things Karen Sypher is alleging. AGAIN — this was just a rumor
She looks very high maintenance to me. I doubt the point shaving angle. Unless there is more (infidelity, as an example) to the story and the alleged extortioner said she would tell people that to “get even” for something. Sad day for Cardinal fans.
read this if you want some facts:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/158741-rick-pitino-extortion-attempt-false-truth-comes-out
I’m beginning to think that UK really did sell their soul to get Calipari. And they made the devil throw in a scandal at U of L to sweeten the pot.
Someone must know what the details are
The statements from Pitino and from his equipment manager sure do not sound like it is a “simple” matter of an alleged affair between Pitino and this lady. Pitino’s statement said it was accusations against him and “his family”. The equipment manager said it was “bizarre” allegations against Pitino and the equipment manager.
With the media attention on this story now I have no doubt that Karen Syphers’s allegations will find SOMEONE in the media to report them. Probably someone out of town, UL has the Louisville media shackled pretty well. And whatever she has to say will undoubtably be damaging to Pitino and the UL program.
6 weeks ago UL was the #1 overall team in the NCAA tournament, and UK was going to the NIT with a bad coach. Look at where both programs are today and the direction they are going….amazing what can happen in a short amount of time!