3 Million Bucks to Gillispie --- Would you do it?
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 11:53PM 
Three million dollars. Think about how much money that is. For most of us folks on the bottom of the money tree, it is hard to comprehend. Now try and wrap your head around the fact that is the amount on the check that the University of Kentucky will write to fired head basketball coach Billy Gillispie.
The same Billy Gillispie who never signed a full contract to coach for UK. The same Billy Gillispie that guided the Wildcats to an NIT loss to Notre Dame. The same Billy Gillispie that has been accused of drinking and driving at least three times. The same Billy Gillispie who said he didn’t think being an ambassador to UK was in his job description.
Both UK and Gillispie sued each other after the firing. Now as the Wildcats are about to embark on the John Calipari era, the University has decided to payoff Gillispie to the tune of $2,984,536.07. Another $260,000 will be paid by the university for attorney's fees, as well as $5,623.75 for mediation.
So we have now answered the age-old question: How much money would a mediocre coach who is a drunk, and never signed a contract get after being fired?
I can certainly see the reasoning behind UK wanting to put Gillispie permanently in the rear-view mirror. It would only continue to stain Kentucky’s reputation with negative press. However, three million dollars seems like an incredible amount for hush money. Both sides agree in the settlement not to talk negative about one another.
So I ask if you were in charge of making this decision for Kentucky, would you have given Gillispie the three million dollar settlement and put the issue to rest, or would you have fought the battle in courts? Vote Below. I would also love to ready your thoughts on it, in the comments section.
Billy Gillispie, John Calipari, Kentucky, UK in Basketball
Reader Comments (5)
I think, as I told you earlier, it's an absolute crock. Anyone who has any doubts what Billy Clyde's gonna do with that kind of money needs to check out his new business venture, as envisioned by yours truly: http://twitpic.com/lfulp
that's a funny picture!
3 million is too much. I agree with paying him money to get him out of your life once and for all...but I thought the most he would get would be a million...not 3. He was crap, pure and simple. I will always wonder and I am sure those who wrote the check will always wonder: Could they have paid him less to make him go away? Was there even a need to pay him at all when he didn't sign a contract and has legal troubles? We will never know now...
And, now more than ever, the pressure is on Coach Cal. Billy G left a real bad taste in people's mouths, we went after you and got you for a tall price, you were able to bring your blue-chip recruits who committed to Memphis with you...can you answer the bell here?
I don;t think it was a good settlement of rUk, however I am glad to see it's over with. Now it's not looming over the program and they can move on. Calipari will bring in enough money to cover the losses of what they will pay to Gillispie. So in the end is may be worth every penny to forget about that Gillipie era and move on to the CALIPARI ERA! JUST 2 days away until MADNESS CANT WAIT!
yes. 3 million to not have to deal with him again? I'd double that.