More links dealing with the Rick Pitino sex scandal:
MUST-READ: Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports writes, “Who wants Pitino? Not the NBA.”
- NEW: Writing for NBC Bay Area, Josh Alper admonishes Pitino for using 9/11 as crutch.
- NEW: Paul Daugherty of the Cincinnati Enquirer says stop the moralizing.
- NEW: Gregg Doyel of CBS Sportsline writes that Pitino doesn’t deserve hate or firing squad.
- NEW: Jeff Pearlman of SI.com writes that Pitino case proves that winning comes before morality for coaches.
- Dick Weiss of the New York Daily News, who once wrote a book with Pitino, writes that the coach may never recover from scandal.
- Ray Melick of the Birmingham News writes that Louisville defines itself by choosing to accept Rick Pitino’s apology.
- Tom Arenberg of the Birmingham News writes that Pitino’s actions has done irreparable harm.
- Rick Bozich of the Courier-Journal writes that Pitino’s apology was a necessary first big step.
- The C-J’s editorial on Pitino’s admission.
- Joe Biddle of the Tennessean writes that Louisville did not even give Pitino a slap on the wrist.
- The Baltimore Sun has a cross-section of opinion on the Pitino scandal.
- Yael T. Abouhalkah of the Kansas City Star calls it “Pitino’s pitiful affair.”
- Christine Brennan of USA Today wonders how Pitino can continue as coach.
- Will Graves of the AP writes that the Pitino damage will be hard to repair.
John Clay is a sports columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader. A native of Central Kentucky and graduate of UK, he covered UK football for 13 seasons before being promoted to columnist in 2000. He lives in Lexington with his wife and two sons. You can e-mail him at jclay@herald-leader.com.
Melick’s article is very good. It gives us something to think about. Wins and losses are small when you consider the message the University of Louisville is sending out to the people.
For some reason this whole mess reminds me of the movie Fatal Attraction. What a mess this is.
Have not read any discussion of what this means from an endorsements standpoint beyond Coach Pitino’s speaking engagements/fees. I would think that Nike and others would distance themselves for certain and advertisers might not want to be linked to his radio and television shows, camps, etc. As with most high profile coaches and celebreties I would assume that this would be a substantial financial hit for him.
I think the administration at the university should be wary of other complaints or allegations. It is pretty common for others to come forward once a story has broken with legitimate and false claims that keep the story going and add fuel to the fire. And, as many people have noted, the abortion component of this story makes it potentially highly volatile.
Why are Clay, and Tipton, not allowing anyone to comment one their articles about Pitino. Are they afraid! They have been Pro-Pitino since I can remember, and now thier “Fearless Leader” has sinned and they don’t want to here it from anyone. Well I have a thought or two to post and you need to listen up Clay and Tipton. This guy is all about “Power”. The power to control people through whatever means he has at his disposal. In most cases its through winning basketball games, and by doing this he gets more money. More money equals more power. Just ask the fans in Boston, which he set back ten years the way he ran thier team. I’m also sure something else in his past will rear it’s ugly head in the next few months….stay tuned…it usually does when it involves men like this.
wouldn’t his endorsement deals follow his UofL contract, most of those would be difficult to back out of.
Celtscatsfan, that’s pretty rich saying that Jerry and I have been pro-Pitino “since I can remember.” You might want to be tested for amnesia. As for the comments being disabled on our stories, that is a decision made by Herald-Leader management. You are welcome to post here any time.
Hey Clay, you might have something called dementia, if I have amnesia. As far as the the comment you made in your article concerning the fans calling him “Traitor Rick”. Looks like his actions confirm this. We call ‘em like we see ‘em!
You’re not the first to day I’m demented.
You have changed my mind. I like you Clay.
At least I’ve accomplished one thing today.
What I find interesting is that very few if any of these writers are supporting Rick Pitino. I would say that the rest of the college basketball coaches should read all of these articles and take notice.
I also found some interesting Porcini “reviews.” http://www.bluewithoutaclue.wordpress.com
Here’s our explanation of why there are no comments on the Pitino stories at Kentucky.com: http://behindtheheadlines.bloginky.com/
After watcing the female involved in thie sorid mess on Access Hollywood last night, I am not so sure she is even telling the truth about being pregnant/having an abortion. Her body language and facial expression was very suspect, to say the least. Some of her interview sounded like she had been watching soap operas for her dialogue. I certainly don’t condone this situation…especially the so-called abortion, but she certainly bears equal responsibility for it.