You’d think they might stop by now, but day three and the Rick-gate links continue:
- There’s the Herald-Leader report that records show Karen Sypher claims Pitino paid aid to marry her.
- Matt Jones at Kentucky Sports Radio is ecstatic that a news organization, well the New York Post, printed all of Karen Sypher’s allegations. (Matt continues to harp on the media, especially the Courier-Journal, for not reporting the rape allegation earlier. Wonder if he would have felt the same way had the same unsupported allegation been made about him? Just asking.)
- As Deadpsin says, when everyone thinks you’re crazy and no one will listen to your side, the New York Post will listen to your side and publish it.
- Here’s the Post story with Sypher’s ever-changing stories.
- FanHouse’s Clay Travis writes about Pitino’s PR team and the $3,000 lie.
- Mark Story of the H-L writes that Pitino should resign.
- Eric Crawford of the C-J writes that he would still let his son play for Pitino.
- Rick Bozich of the C-J blogs that we should remember that Sypher is one on trial.
- WKYT says new details emerge in the Pitino scandal.
- ESPN’s Jemele Hill writes that success and integrity are a choice.
- Eammon Brennan of Rivals.com writes that it’s quite a surprise (not) that anti-abortion group wants Pitino fired.
- Cards Game wants debates a sabbatical for Rick Pitino.
- The Kansas City Star writes that the Pitino case keeps getting freakier. (Its word.)
- Blair Kerkhoff of the K.C. Star writes that Pitino can come back, but not as he was.
- Steven Marcus of Newsday writes that Pitino doesn’t get a pass on his indiscretion.
John:
I think the big stick in Mr. Jones craw at Kentucky Sports Radio is the way that the Courier cropped photos and completely ignored some aspects of the story. Based on the treatment that poor ole chuck hayes was given by state media on those phony rape charges, I can see his point.
Card Game actually has pro and con views.
http://uoflcardgame.com/sabbatical-for-rick-pitino/8927
The difference is that actual charges of public record were filed in the Hayes case, even though they were bogus. Charges were not filed in the Pitino case until Sypher made a complaint with the police department. When those became public record at the conclusion of the investigation, they were printed.
Charlie, I’ll change it to debates. Thanks.
Double, Matt and I have argued this before, by the way. It’s quite entertaining to debate someone with a Duke law degree.
Well, as someone with a UK law degree, I find debating those with Duke law degrees to typically be pretty easy. I know a few exceptions, but that is a challenge I’ll take any day.
As for your point John, the public report is a distinction, but we already put up with the hypocricy of publishing the name of the men accused of rape while shielding the names of the accusers. If Pitino were someone with less clout but still a public figure, I think those baseless allegations would have been aired. After all, he was reporting her for extortion. Isn’t it news what her “extortion story” was?
Mr. Clay:
I can see your point, but as a long time reader of both the CJ and the Herald Leader, I think that Coach Pitino received a pass up until this latest story – at least from the CJ. Since this story, I think their reporting has picked up remarkably. I still think Chuch Hayes got wrung out to dry, but there is no point in him suing that woman for slander.
I understand that the printing of the story was delayed until certain documents were obtained through open records, etc., but I think the cropping of the photo was beyond the pale. Was there really any doubt she is claiming she had an abortion.
It honestly just felt like the Louisville media closed ranks around the program. Certainly, AD Jurich and President Ramsey have thrown their lots in with Coach Pitino till the bitter end.
At least somebody has moved the Coach Gillispie saga to the back pages. The buyout/firing saga doesn’t seem so bad now!
Keep up the good writing – I’ll keep reading.
Heck, John, I’m pretty sure you can get those pale blue Duke law degrees in boxes of cracker jacks…
I’m qualifying this, because it’s based on circumstantial dates in news reports, which is a far cry from evidence. But the actions sure do match up with Rick Pitino having his equipment manager marry her to help smooth over his misconduct. Then the issue becomes whether he used public resources to essentially pay to cover up for his sexual conduct. If that happened (and it looks like that is the case), Pitino must go.
Nobody, whether they’re in government or quasi-public service should be allowed to use public funds to pay for their sex.
Didn’t Rick Pitino fire Winston Bennett for having an affair outside of his marriage?