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The very bad week of Papa John Schnatter

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2009 photo: Lachlan McLean, Terry Meiners, Papa John Schnatter

The founder of Papa John’s pizza company admitted using the N-word during a recent media training exercise. The slur was reported on Forbes.com and “Papa John” Schnatter was quickly removed as chairman of the Louisville-based company.

The University of Louisville then removed Schnatter from its board of trustees, scrubbed his name from the business school, and Papa John’s pizza no longer retains naming rights to the Louisville football stadium. Papa John’s immediately bleached Schnatter’s image from all of its marketing materials.

The University of Kentucky then announced it would remove the Schnatter name from its business school, and Schnatter’s alma mater Jeffersonville High School scraped his name off the field house where the pizza baron donated $800,000 for upgrades.

At the end of his brutal week, John Schnatter spoke exclusively with me in a 28 minute freewheeling interview.

Deadspin.com ripped Schnatter’s entire appearance.

Schnatter claimed that he “was pushed” to say the N-word by the company conducting the training exercise. “I should have been more sensitive. I wasn’t raised that way. I did it. I own it. And I’m sick about it.” He added that he feels “horrible” for the Papa John’s “employees and franchisees who did nothing wrong.”

AD WEEK

In response to our interview, Papa John’s directors are demanding that Schnatter cease all media appearances. They even took the extraordinary step of preventing him from using his office space within the company headquarters.

Schnatter then wrote a letter to the board saying it was a mistake to resign his chairman position.

Reinstatement? Crickets.

In our WHAS Radio interview, Schnatter also claimed that Papa John’s “fired” the NFL, not the other way around, after his 2017 comments complaining about African American players protesting the national anthem. Rival chain Pizza Hut is now the official pizza of the NFL.

The WHAS interview also delved into Schnatter’s role in the firings of University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino and athletics director Tom Jurich.

Schnatter chafed at the question about whether his family would continue living in the Louisville area or would flee the hot cauldron of controversy.

In a subsequent interview with WLKY-TV, Schnatter claimed that the Laundry Service marketing firm that conducted the media training tried to extort him “to make it go away.” The firm originally asked for $1 million for services then upped the price to $6 million. Schnatter claims a Laundry Service exec said “If I don’t get my f-ing money, I’m going to bury the founder.”

When I asked John Schnatter if he would sue the marketing firm that leaked his racist gaffe to media, he didn’t mention extortion. “I don’t like litigation. I don’t like lawyers. I don’t like what (Laundry Service marketing) did.”

Papa John’s was also dropped by marketing partner Olson Engage.

Now Major League Baseball execs urged Schnatter to stay away from Tuesday’s MLB All-Star game. Multiple teams have suspended or ceased their promotional deals with Papa John’s, and the MLB league-wide promotion of Papa Slams has been shelved.

Others think he needs to disappear entirely.

New York Post, July 13, 2018

COURIER-JOURNAL: The Rise & Fall of Papa John Schnatter

DEADSPIN: Pizza Dipshit John Schnatter Claims Victimhood in Strange Strange Radio Interview

AD WEEK: Ad Agency “Pressured” Schnatter into Using N-Word

For his part, Schnatter tells me he is focusing on the philanthropic work he has done and he plans to continue working for the betterment of his community.

One day after our radio chat, Schnatter wrote an impassioned letter to the Papa John’s board to recap his claim that he was coerced into the N-word discussion, the makings of an extortion attempt, and that he shouldn’t have resigned before the board conducted a complete investigation.

He’s now hired Los Angeles attorney Patricia Glaser, who has managed cases for Harvey Weinstein and Paula Deen, to handle his forced departure from Papa John’s. She has declared that Schnatter will not go quietly.

Does the NBA2Lou scare you?

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Terry Meiners & Dan Issel at the Louisville Forum, May 9, 2018 (photo: Phillip Bailey)

The Louisville Forum asked former NBA player and Denver Nuggets general manager Dan Issel to offer his thoughts on the NBA2Lou project. I was asked to moderate and throw in my own comments about the potential of snaring an NBA team for the city of Louisville.

Naturally, the subject creates animated opinions from those who are opposed to adding professional sports. Some fear that it would harm the University of Louisville’s athletic pursuits and others worry that taxpayers will be on the hook for various concessions made for team owners.

Issel and his investors have the city’s best interests in mind. Bring it on.

The CJ’s Phillip M. Bailey live-Tweeted the forum. Great audience questions and general enthusiasm for the prospect of bringing the NBA to The Ville.

Justify My Love

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Justify rambles through the rainiest Kentucky Derby in history, May 5, 2018 (photo: AP images)

In spite of forecasters calling for a partly cloudy and pleasant Kentucky Derby day, the heavens opened and rain poured for fourteen hours on Churchill Downs.

No rain, no gain. The bettors’ favorite Justify sloshed around the track ahead of 19 other contenders to win the garland of roses and launch his campaign to become the next triple crown winner.

Justify with his swag

Speaking of filth and slop, here’s Madonna.

NOW PEEP these incredible Kentucky Derby photos by the Courier Journal team.

The N.I.T. is basketball’s walk of shame, and UK fans are loving it for Louisville

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THE BEASMAN NIT cheers
HEY LAAAAAARRRRREEEEEEE! LARRY MINNER! I BET YOU AND ALL YOUR BRAINLESS, GUTLESS, LOSERVILLE LOSER FRIENDS IS BUCITED ABOUT TONIGHT CUZ Y’ALL IS TAKIN YOUR TALENTS TO THE N.I.T.! DOES EXPN PLAY THAT SONG – (sing) WE’RE COMIN’ TO YOUR CIT-TEEE! BRING MEDIOCRE BASKETBAW TO YOUR CIT-TEE!” (laffs) RUMOR HAS IT THAT THE N.I.T., THE TOURNAMENT OF SHAME, MAKES ALL THE TEAMS PLAY DOWN IN THE BASEMENT OF THE ARENER. IS THAT TRUE? (laffs) SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS TO LITTLE BROTHER NOBODIES WHO CHEAT. THEY GOT TO HIDEAWAY FROM DECENT SOCIETY AND PLAY THEIR NOBODY-WANTS-YOU GAMES OUTTA SIGHT, OUTTA MIND.

WHERE YOU GONNA BE SETTIN, LARRY? I WANNA SET RIGHT NEXT TO YOU AND CHEER FOR MY LITTLE BROTHER LOSERVILLE BUDDIES IN THE BIGTIME N.I.T. (laffs) I PULT A UGLY RED SWEATSHIRT OUTTA THE DUMPSTER AND IT LOOKS LIKE I’M ONE OF Y’ALL CUZ IT GOT BULLET HOLES, BLOOD, AND WHISKEY SPILT ALL OVER IT. (laffs)

SERIOUS BIDNIZ, LARRY! ME AND LOTS OF OTHER KENTUCKY WILDCAT FANS BOUGHT US SOME OF THEM CHEAP N.I.T. TICKETS SO WE CAN MAWK Y’ALL CARDINAL BIRDS FOR BEIN LITTLE BROTHER NOBODIES! I MEAN, COME ON, EVEN YOUR PLAYERS VOTED AGAINST PLAYIN IN THE N.I.T. BUT BOY PADGETT AND VINCE THE TYRANT MADE ‘EM DO IT. THEY SAID: U OF SMELL AIN’T BEEN SHAMED ENOUGH – LET’S WIN US A N.I.T. BANNER SO SOMEDAY THEY CAN FORCE US TO TAKE IT DOWN, TOO!

THIS IS GONNA BE FUN WATCHIN LOSERVILLE JUST ROLL OVER AND LET NARTHERN KENTUCKY JACK THEIR JAWS! (laffs) ALL US GOOD AND CLASSY CAT FANS GONNA BE CHEERIN REAL HARD FOR NARTHERN KENTUCKY…I MEAN…THEY GOT KENTUCKY IN THEIR NAME SO THEY GOTTA BE SUPERIOR TO YOUR FLAKY LITTLE STRIPPER POLE FANBOY U OF SMELLERS! (laffs) COME ON, LARRY…LIGHTEN UP! YOU MIGHT AS WELL GIT USED TO THE N.I.T. CUZ THAT’S WHERE Y’ALL GONNA BE FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS WHILE YOU PICK YOURSELF UP OUTTA CHEATER JAIL. LET ME HELP Y’ALL CARDINAL FANS LEARN YOU SOME CHEERS! READY! “N.I.T. N.I.T. – WHERE CHEATERS GO FOR ETERNITY! N.I.T. N.I.T. – WHERE U OF SMELL WILL ALWAYS BE!” (laffs) “WHY ARE CAT FANS FILLED WITH GLEE? CUZ LOSERVILLE’S IN THE N.I.T.!” (laffs) IT’S GONNA BE A BIG NIGHT IN LOSERVILLE WITH ALL THIS N.I.T. PARTYIN. BARS ARE SELLIN ONLY THE CRUMMY BEERS. RESTRUNTS IS SERVING OLD, NASTY FOOD THAT NOBODY WANTS. AND THE ARENER JUMBOTRONS WILL BE SHOWIN HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BIG DANCE CUZ NOBODY WANTS TO WATCH THE BORING N.I.T. BALLGAME PLAYIN DOWN ON THE FLOOR IN FRONT OF ‘EM. (laffs)

COME ON, LARRY! CHEER UP! IF YOUR UNHAPPY CARDINAL PLAYERS SOMEHOW SLOUCH THEIR WAY TO A VICTREE TONIGHT, THEN Y’ALL GIT TO MEET TENNERSEE STATE, AND THEY GONNA CRUSH Y’ALL LIKE A BUG! BUT BECAUSE YOU’S IN THE N.I.T. YOU HAVE TO LET YOUR GIRLS BASKETBAW TEAM GIT PRIORITY SO Y’ALL DON’T EVEN KNOW WHEN YOU CAN HAVE THE ARENER! (laffs)

WOW! THEM LOSERVILLE CARDINAL STRIPPER POLE BOYS IS BIGTIME! I MEAN, FOR BEIN SECOND CLASS CITIZENS! GIT FIRED UP, PEOPLE! IT’S N.I.T. NIGHT IN LOSERVILLE, ALWAYS THE SECOND BEST KIND OF NIGHT TO HAVE! N.I.T. N.I.T. – THAT’S WHERE ALL THE LOSERS BE! (laffs) N.I.T. STANDS FOR “NOT INVITED TOURNAMENT.” LARRY, Y’ALL IS LIKE THE LAST KID ON THE PLAYGROUND NOBODY PICKS TO PLAY DODGEBALL. TOO BAD, SO SAD.

WHY DON’T Y’ALL CHANGE THAT BILLBOARD ON I-64 TO SAY: “U OF SMELL – THE N.I.T. IS MILES AHEAD!” JUST THINK, IF LOSERVILLE SOMEHOW WINS THE N.I.T., THAT WILL MAKE Y’ALL THE #69 BEST TEAM IN AMERICA, WHICH SEEMS SOMEHOW SCANDALOUSLY CORRECT. (laffs) OH, THE JOKES RIGHT THEMSELVES, LITTLE BUDDY. HEY LARRY, WHAT IS LOSERVILLE GONNA DO NEXT TO BE SECOND BEST? START SELLING PLASTIC BASEBALL BATS? TELL THE CHEFS TO SELL COLD BROWNS? MAKE THE KENTUCKY DERBY ONLY FOR SHETLAND PONIES? (laffs) COME ON, LARRY. YOU GOT TO LAUGH AT THESE FUNNY COMEDY JOKES CUZ AT THIS POINT THAT’S ALL Y’ALL LOSERVILLE LOSERS GOT LEFT. I’M ACTUALLY CHEERING FOR LOSERVILLE TO WIN A BUNCH OF N.I.T. GAMES SO YOUR BASKETBAW WALK OF SHAME STRETCHES OUT FOR ALL US CAT FANS TO ENJOY. AWWWWW C-A-R-D-S N.I.T. N.I.T. N.I.T. LITTLE BROTHER CHAMPS-TO-BE!

The Beasman don’t wanna live in a world where his Cats lose to them Dirty Birds

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The Louisville Cardinals and fans celebrate winning the Governor’s Cup after defeating UK 44-17.

THE BEASMAN cats lose (1)
(crying) I HOPE YOU DIE SOON, LARRY. (crying) I HEAR YOU A-S-S-S-S-SMIRKIN BOUT U UH KAY’S P-P-P-PAIN. ONLY A LOWDOWN, TOOTHLESS, B-B-B-B-BRAINLESS U OF SMELL SAGGY PANTS, NECK TATTOO THUG LIKE YOU HAS THE AUDACERATION TO MOCK US GOOD AND CLASSY CAT FANS WHILE WE IS DOWN. (crying) YOU SUCK, LARRY. (crying) POOR LITTLE WILDCAT KIDS COULDN’T GO BACK TO SCHOOL THIS MARNIN CUZ THEY’S DEE-PRESSED. (crying) MOST OF THE GROWED UP WILDCAT FANS BEEN DRUNK SINCE HALFWAY THROUGH THE THIRD QUARTER WHEN WE ALL LEFT THE STADIUM TO CRY IN THE PARKIN’ LOT.

(crying) NOBODY BURNT UP NO COUCHES. NOBODY GOT TO SPRAYPAINT CUSS WORDS ON THE SIDE OF THE U OF SMELL TEAM BUS. (crying) WE JUST HAD TO SET THERE AND WATCH GAY-MAR JACKSON RUN AROUND LIKE A JITTERBUG AND NOT LETTIN NO WILDCATS TACKLE HIM.

Picture shows: scientist holding vitamins TX 16/09/2004

(crying) I’M SETTIN HERE AT MY PSYCHIA-TRISTER OFFICE TRYIN TO GIT A SUBSCRIPTION TO DEE-PRESSION PILLS SO I CAN GIT MY HEAD THANKIN STRAIGHT AGIN, DADGUMMIT. IF THAT DON’T WORK, I’M GONNA LET ‘EM GIMME SHOCK TREATMENTS TO MAKE THIS HERE HARRIBLE MEMORY DISINCINERATE IN MY HEAD. (crying) THE DOCTOR SAYS HE WILL SEE ME NOW. LARRY, JUST IN CASE HE GIVES ME ONE OF THEM ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO NEST LOBOTORIES AND I CAINT NEVER TAWK NO MORE, I WANT MY LAST WORDS TO YOU TO BE THIS: YOU SUCK, YOU IS A TRAITOR TURNCOAT BENNERDICK ARNOLD AND I HOPE YOU GIT SHOT IN THE FACE BY ONE OF YOUR SCUMBAG THUG U OF SMELL CONVICT FANS. OH…AND GO BIG BLUE! (crying) TAKE ME IN TO SEE THE DOCTOR! AND TELL THE CHIEF TO SMOTHER ME WITH A PILLER IF MY BRAINBOX GITS TURNT OFF. (crying)

photo via Twitter

THE BEASMAN cats lose (2)
(crying) LARRY, I BEEN AT THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE ALL DAY GITTIN SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR ALL THEM DEE-PRESSION DRUGS SO I CAINT FEEL THE PAIN OF MY WILDCATS LOSING TO YOU DEVIL-WORSHIPPIN CARDINAL HEATHENS. (crying) IT AIN’T RIGHT, LARRY, IT JUST AINT RIGHT! U UH KAY POSED TO WIN SO ALL US GOOD AND CLASSY CAT FANS CAN TAUNT Y’ALL CARDINAL CRIMINALS AND BURN COUCHES AND WEAR BOBBY PETRINKO NECK BRACES…BUT NAW. U OF SMELL COME OUT THERE LIKE A BO-DOZER AND RUN US DOWN FROM THE START! STOOPS GOT TO GO, DADGUMMIT! ALL THEM OTHER TEAMS IS GU-NOUNCIN THEIR NEW COACHES BUT U UH KAY JUST STICKS WITH STOOPS AND HIS STOOPID “WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR” NONSENSE. I SAY WE RUN HIM OUTTA TOWN RIGHT NOW AND HIRE NICK SABAN.

NICK WANTS TO COACH U UH KAY CUZ EVERBODY LOVES THE CATS! (crying) AND Y’ALL CHEATED, LARRY. HOW DOES THAT LAY-MAR JACKSON GIT TO RUN AROUND PUNCHIN OUR GOOD AND CLASSY LINEBACKER AND NOT GIT THROWED OUT? JORDAN JONES WAS JUST OUT THERE PRAYIN’ THE ROSARY AND LAY-MAR JACKSON JUST WALKS UP AND PUNCHES HIM RIGHT UPSIDE HIS HEAD BUT THE CHEATIN REFFERMARIES DINT THO HIM OUT!

(crying) ANYBODY ELSE WOULDA GOT INJECTED FROM THE GAME BUT NOT THE UNTOUCHABLE LAY-MAR. NAW! THEM TV BU-ZECUTIVES SAID “WE GOTS TO HAVE LAY-MAR OR EVERBODY WILL SWITCH THE CHANNEL!”

Louisville’s Lamar Jackson dominated Kentucky all day in the 2017 Governor’s Cup rivalry game. (photo: Louisville football)

SO THEY LET CHEATIN LAY-MAR STAY IN. LARRY, YOU KNOW LAY-MAR RUBS VASSER-LEAN ALL OVER HIS PANTS SO THE WILDCAT BOYS’ HANDS SLIDE OFF WHEN THEY IS TRYIN TO GRAB HIM. BUT NOBODY THROWS A FLAG. AND U OF SMELL DONE PASS INNER-FERENCED OUR WILDCAT RECEIVER BUT NOBODY THROWED THE FLAG. I BETCHA THAT ROTTEN BASKETBAW REFFERMARIE HIGGINS PICKED OUT THEM FOOTBAW REFFERMARIES JUST TO GIT BACK AT US. NO MORE STOOPS! NO MORE STOOPS! NO MORE STOOPS! US GOOD AND CLASSY CAT FANS DONE WATCHED U OF SMELL FOOTBAW GO FROM PEE WEE LEVEL TO BUXPECTACLE BUT ALL WE DO AT U UH KAY IS STAY DOWN IN THE CELLAR WITH VANDERSMELT. HIRE NICK SABAN! HIRE NICK SABAN! HIRE NICK SABAN!

MEANTIME, COACH CAL AND THE BASKETBAW CATS AIN’T WINNIN BY BIG ENOUGH POINTS. I KNOW THEY IS GOOD BUT THEY AIN’T GREAT AND U OF SMELL IS SURELY GONNA BE LOOKIN AT THAT KANSAS TAPE TO SEE HOW TO BEAT US. (crying) IF BOY PADGETT GITS THEM RAGTAG DEATH PENALTY CARDINAL BIRDS TO WIN IN RUMP ARENER NEXT MONTH THEN US CAT FANS GONNA RIOT IN THE STREETS! WE CAINT HANDLE TWO U OF SMELL VICTREES AGAINST U UH KAY IN ONE WINTER.

Bobby Petrino’s players soak him as the final seconds tick away in Louisville’s 44-17 win over Kentucky. (photo: Kentucky.com)

I’M LIABLE TO CLIMB UP ON A CAMPUS WATER TIRE AND START SHOOTIN AT RED CARS AGAIN. (crying) LASS TIME THE JUDGE LET ME OFF CUZ SHE’S A BIG OL CAT FAN BUT SHE SAID IF I EVER DO IT AGAIN I’M A-GOIN TO PRISON FOR LIFE. COME ON, COACH CAL!

Papa John’s “The Shot” commercial shoot with John Schnatter, founder of Papa John’s, and UK basketball coach Calipari in Rupp Arena. (Photo by Brian Bohannon)

DON’T LET THEM SAGGY PANTS, RAP MUSIC, JESUS HATIN, HEROIN SNIFFIN, TATTOOED BUTTCRACK, CURSIN AROUND CHILDREN U OF SMELL CARDINAL SCUMBAGS GIT A SWEEP ON U UH KAY! YOU GOT TO GIT OUR BABY WILDCATS TO PLAY TOGETHER SO THEY CAN RIP OUT THEIR CHEATIN HEARTS! AWWWWW C-A-…DADGUMMIT, I CAINT EVEN MUSTER UP A CHEER RIGHT NOW UNTIL I GOBBLE ANOTHER FISTFUL OF ANTI-DEE-PRESSION PILLS. (chew) (long exhale) WELL…SO FAR THEY AIN’T WORKIN. WIN OR LOSE, ONE THING’S FOR SURE…YOUR BOYFRIEND SLICK RICK IS STILL UNEMPLOYED, LARRY. AND I CAN ALWAYS SMILE ABOUT THAT.

The Courier Journal was forced to apologize to John Calipari for publishing this caricature of the Kentucky coach in 2014.

UofL severs ties with final two shoe scandal connections

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The University of Louisville threw a little more water onto its dumpster fire of scandals by releasing student-athlete Brian Bowen and assistant basketball coach Kenny Johnson today.

Kenny Johnson is no longer with the University of Louisville basketball team.

Bowen’s scholarship to attend UofL remains valid but he was told he will never play basketball for the Cardinals after the FBI revealed secret meetings about shoe company money being funneled to his family.

Johnson was terminated likely as another illustration by the school to the NCAA that it was cleaning house of the entire Rick Pitino leadership team, save for new acting head basketball coach David Padgett and a few support staffers.

David Padgett, Kenny Klein, Vince Tyra, and CJ sports writer Jeff Greer (photo: Sam Upshaw Jr Courier-Journal)

Rick Pitino tells me he is completely finished with coaching although he told ESPN earlier this week that (when he is proven innocent in the shoe company scandal) if any school approaches him about a coaching position, he will consider returning to the game.

Tom Jurich said on my radio show that several schools have contacted him but he will stay in the shadows for now.

With Jurich, Pitino, most of the assistant coaches, and several administrative departures, it appears that board chair David Grissom has only one immediate target remaining: football coach Bobby Petrino. Many suspect that Grissom – urged by Papa John’s founder John Schnatter – wants to completely clean house without forcing interim president Postel to get his hands dirty. That would also mean that David Padgett, originally part of the Pitino team, will be jettisoned by Grissom’s board next April after completing the current season.

Courier Journal, November 24, 2017

It’s Grissom’s show and Postel’s duty to kiss his ring in order to earn the official title of university president. Postel can claim he has nothing to do with these massive changes but in-house emails say otherwise.

Dr Greg Postel and board chairman David Grissom, October 18, 2017 (photo: Howie Lindsey)

For Pitino to land a 5-star like Brian Bowen, who hadn’t been on the radar screen, took Cards fans by surprise. Then when the FBI dropped its investigative bombshell citing payments to Bowen’s family, the massive meltdown from “scandal fatigue” crushed the UofL program and its fan base.

Rick Pitino on WHAS Radio with Terry Meiners, June 5, 2017

But why kill off Tom Jurich, the man who built UofL’s athletic department into America’s top growing program?

No one can answer that question other than board chair David Grissom, and he’s not talking.

iHeart VP Earl Jones, Tom Jurich, Tony Cruise, and Terry Meiners (November 2, 2017)

There is a paper trail indicating that Grissom and interim president Dr. Greg Postel have been slowly choking out the University of Louisville Athletic Association board, a support system in place for 30+ years. The plan would be for athletics leadership to report directly to the school’s board of trustees (see: Grissom).

And so now all UofL can do is wait for the final determination from the NCAA on the school’s appeal over sanctions from a 2015 dormitory stripper scandal. The shoe company meltdown came in 2017 while the NCAA was mulling over punishment for the earlier Level 1 infractions amounting to “improper benefits” for recruits and student athletes.

Will the NCAA be placated to spare the 2013 National Championship Banner? Odds say it will get the same treatment that Bowen and Johnson received and Petrino is about to receive. History.

Michigan guard Trey Burke (3) walks off the court as confetti falls on Louisville players, including Russ Smith (2), Luke Hancock (11), Stephan Van Treese (44) and Zach Price (25), after the NCAA Final Four tournament college basketball championship game, Monday, April 8, 2013, in Atlanta. Louisville won 82-76. (AP Photo/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Curtis Compton)

Rick Pitino on his firing and UofL’s “smear” of Tom Jurich

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Rick and Joanne Pitino, Puerto Rico (2015)

In his first comprehensive interview since being fired at the University of Louisville, Rick Pitino defended Tom Jurich against what he called the UofL administration’s “smear” tactics.

He also talked about “Coach 1” Jordan Fair, controlling his employees, David Padgett’s new Cardinals team, board chairman David Grissom & the board of trustees’ agenda, severance money for both Pitino and Jurich, his adidas lawsuit, thoughts for Cards fans, and much more #L1C4

From the Courier-Journal: “Did Pitino throw Jordan Fair under the bus?”

Pop the popcorn. Here is the entire half hour conversation.

WDRB 41 Louisville News

FULL TRANSCRIPT of the Pitino conversation via WDRB News HERE

Rick Pitino and I have had some fascinating, insightful radio interviews over the years. Will he ever return to my microphones for another long form conversation? Here’s how our chat ended.

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Meiners: “Are you going to watch University of Louisville basketball games or any university athletic pursuits?”

Pitino: “I’ll be rooting for all the coaches at U of L. I’ll be rooting for my players, David Padgett, I’ll be rooting for them every single game. I want them to go on and win the national championship … David is one of my players. I think the world of him. I hope he has great success and certainly nothing but praying that they go on and have great years.”

Meiners: “Coach Pitino, great talking to you, we’ll do it again down the road.”

Pitino: “Terry, probably we won’t, but you’ve been a good friend and I thank you for having me. I’ll say goodbye to you for a long time, and you be well and say hello to your beautiful wife.”

Meiners: “Wait a minute, am I supposed to lose your phone number now? Don’t say that.”

Pitino: “No, no, I’m talking about professionally on the air. You know you’re always welcome.”

Meiners: “Thanks coach.”

Pitino: “Take care.”

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#WeTheFuture is a sea of hope that the Cards will rise again. Nonetheless, a hearty thank you and applause to Rick Pitino, Tom Jurich, and a vast collection of coaches who’ve raised UofL athletics success to unprecedented heights.

Under Vince Tyra’s leadership, let’s trudge forward with honor to experience whatever tomorrow brings.

Thanks for an incredible ride, Tom.

Tom Jurich, November 2016

Dr Greg Postel and board chairman David Grissom, October 18, 2017 (photo: Howie Lindsey)

We, the hazy future of Louisville

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Tom Jurich and Rick Pitino have both been fired with cause. Pitino’s sixteen year term was burdened by multiple scandals. That’s cause. More litigation to come as Pitino’s lawyer promised “a bare knuckle fight.”

Earlier today, Jurich was offered a relatively miniscule buyout if he resigned before the University of Louisville board of trustees voted to fire him. He declined the offer and was then told the school is considering filing a lawsuit against him. No other details were given.

Legal teams for both Pitino and Jurich were given very short appearances before the boards. Pitino lawyer Steve Pence said he had “a well prepared and solid one hour presentation” at Monday’s hearing yet there wasn’t “a single question from the board.”

After just 9 minutes before the board today, Jurich’s legal team remained outside Grawemeyer Hall for hours until the final decision was rendered. By a vote of 10-3, Jurich’s services were terminated with cause.

The Jurich legal team issued a gracious statement that offers thanks to all supporters but ends:

“With that said, Tom has instructed us to vigorously defend his rights and reputation under his long-standing contract with the University of Louisville.”

Meanwhile, the board of trustees moves ahead with well-loved David Padgett as acting coach, and successful businessman Vince Tyra as acting athletics director.

David Padgett

Both great guys, both with yeoman’s work ahead of them serving the administration and fan base.

UofL long ago gained peer status with the University of Kentucky. Just as Florida has to recognize the strength of Florida State, Oklahoma with Oklahoma State, and Alabama with Auburn, the worry today is that Louisville shrinks to a city school like Cincinnati compared to Ohio State.

And that’s not really about athletics, it’s about state funding, research grants, and alum donations. To borrow a football phrase, feed the studs.

Why oust Jurich over repeat problems with one coach out of 23 major teams? Because he refused to fire Pitino when directed to do so multiple times this summer. This was long before the FBI’s shoe company money investigation was revealed.

I talked about it on ESPN’s Outside the Lines in late September.

Who pushed the agenda? Gov. Matt Bevin recently told me that he does not direct his university board appointees in any way. “I appoint competent, successful people on those boards…I do not tell them how to vote on any issue.”

The guy directing these UofL personnel decisions is board chair David Grissom, 82, taking over the post last January. His “clean the house” strategy has set the university on a path of financial struggles that will likely linger long after his death.

Dr Greg Postel and board chairman David Grissom, October 18, 2017 (photo: Howie Lindsey)

He began mopping up multiple money messes in the foundation and academic departments. Fragging the athletics department gained steam as the year wore on.

Jurich ran a surging athletics department that exponentially grew the value and prominence of University of Louisville athletics. A school that used to play conference foes Drake, North Texas State, and St. Louis now enjoys ACC rivalries with Duke, North Carolina, and Florida State.

Previous UofL administrators were impressed by Jurich’s success and used it to shine light on the rest of the university. Presidents John Shumaker, James Ramsey, Neville Pinto, and current interim President Greg Postel also threw shade at Jurich. Most were miffed that Jurich ran what he considered an autonomous athletics department.

At the August celebration for the $160 million deal with Adidas, the head table featured Jurich, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Governor Bevin, business superstar Junior Bridgeman, and two executives from the shoe company. Interim President Greg Postel was three tables away in relative obscurity.

Oh, there’ll be no more seating smackdowns going forward.

What happens now? City pride dives even further. Attention wanes. Hey look! There’s a soccer stadium going up over there!

UofL’s administration is in full control again but devaluation of Cardinal athletics is sure to follow just as LouCity FC’s stock rises.

Jurich successfully corralled more advertising dollars and sponsorships tied to UofL athletics than ever before. Arena and stadium personal seat licenses, ticket prices, and adjacency sponsorships are at bloated rates. Think Dow 25,000.

David Padgett, Kenny Klein, Vince Tyra, and CJ sports writer Jeff Greer (photo: Sam Upshaw Jr Courier-Journal)

Job 1 for Vince Tyra is convincing fans, advertisers, school donors, and boosters to keep paying the current rates.

But will that happen with an elongated step down in performance? Why would an advertiser who was pushed to pay $50,000 for an arena sign + program ad + stadium announcement of sponsorship pay that now? How about $8,000 instead? How about $5,000?

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And there is this: In 2010, Yum Brands signed a bargain priced 10 year arena naming rights deal that is not expected to be renewed. Leadership at Yum Brands continues shipping its top management and muscle to Dallas as its investment in Louisville slips.

Taxpayers were originally promised that naming rights would fetch $40 million. Yum got it for $13.5 million. Plus, the TIF is a stiff.

John Schnatter salutes at today’s UofL board of trustees meeting (photo by Matt Stone, The Courier-Journal)

When available in 2020, Papa John’s founder John Schnatter is the most likely candidate to rename the arena for his pizza company. Schnatter craftily waited for a fire sale price on naming rights for the football stadium back in 1998.

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If the NCAA comes to strike down the 2013 UofL championship banner and even kill off men’s basketball for a season, imagine the economic impact on both the school and the city. Downtown restaurants and boutiques are choked out. Bars get a lot less traffic.

The arena debt issue has been patched for the short term but payments will soon double when the loan principle comes due. Vastly reduced revenues mean vastly increased pressure on the taxpayers.

Get ready to hitch your belt. No matter how you feel about the power swap at UofL, we will all feel its pinch soon enough.

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One last thought on the board of trustees. Shouldn’t all of them have some skin in the game?

REAL RADIO – Louisville voices on statues, reparations, and LGBT rights

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Yesterday’s radio show delivered a triple punch of prominent Louisville activists amplifying their messages on 50,000 watt WHAS Radio.

Dr. Ricky Jones always brings his A game. He dove headfirst into the issues of confederate statues, neo Nazis, and why Democrats are cowards. Plus, we sang a duet of Dixie.

Chanelle Helm, one of Louisville’s most noteworthy Black Lives Matter organizers, expounded upon her eye opening post “White People, Here are 10 Requests from Black Lives Matter”

Director of the Fairness Campaign Chris Hartman followed up on his visit to the Kentucky Farm Bureau’s state fair ham breakfast. For the sixth consecutive year, Hartman protested what he says are discriminatory policies toward LGBTQ citizens that are advanced by lobbyists for KFB.

A sampling of responses: