Following a disappointing performance in March Madness, the focus has shifted to University of Kentucky's head basketball coach, John Calipari, and his substantial buyout clause. Calipari, who has secured only one NCAA tournament win in the past five years, is under a 'lifetime' contract with the university, which compensates him with $9 million annually. If Kentucky decides to terminate Calipari's contract, they would be obligated to pay him a buyout of approximately $33.38 million, a figure that represents 75% of the remaining value of his contract. This buyout amount is set to decrease to $27 million after the 2024-25 season. The financial implications of Calipari's potential departure have sparked discussions about the cost of the program's dignity and the changing landscape of college basketball due to factors like the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules.
The question Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart must now answer is as simple as it is complicated: What is the price of the program’s dignity? @KyleTucker_ATH on what to do with John Calipari ⤵️ https://t.co/EO4cTl7Rf4 https://t.co/CxkrMMj29G
Now on @ForbesSports Kentucky’s NCAA Tournament Loss Turns Attention To Coach John Calipari’s $33 Million Buyout https://t.co/g8a8AcVvKd https://t.co/aynRwplPWi
Calipari to mull changes after UK's stunning exit - via @ESPN App https://t.co/ghnXZYK0HF
Kentucky’s #NCAA Tournament Loss Turns Attention To Coach John Calipari’s $33 Million Buyout https://t.co/AwKBnUOd3e
Kentucky failure shows how NIL is changing March Madness: Jay Wright https://t.co/XTnGJlNf82 https://t.co/BowMKgCliC
Kentucky failure shows how NIL is changing March Madness: Jay Wright https://t.co/76pzQ37rlr https://t.co/bOZfEwck6q
Here's how much Kentucky would owe John Calipari if it wants to hire a new coach https://t.co/BfrBOH9mQ3 https://t.co/Td9S6WWsMI
Now on @ForbesSports John Calipari’s Buyout: How Much Would Kentucky Coach Receive If Fired After Latest March Madness Loss? https://t.co/eIwoVM0vlu https://t.co/Gc528UBXah
Now on @ForbesSports John Calipari’s Buyout: How Much Would Kentucky Coach Receive If Fired After Latest March Madness Loss? via @forbes https://t.co/eIwoVM0vlu
Kentucky buying out the remaining years of John Calipari's 'lifetime' contract would cost plenty, but the figure isn't even in the same stratosphere as what Texas A&M paid to fire Jimbo Fisher. READ: https://t.co/Sxmki8hkyQ https://t.co/nrVznjpmXS
Kentucky has a $33 million John Calipari dilemma after March Madness failure https://t.co/n4rH7hhonh https://t.co/ROczvou4S2
Here's how much Kentucky would owe John Calipari if it wants to hire a new coach https://t.co/dsxyx53TBp https://t.co/GHEvTzkKPq
John Calipari's current buyout at Kentucky: $33.38 million https://t.co/Gd1c6wAKJ3
John Calipari's buyout is only two years worth of new CFP payouts for Kentucky.
As for those ready for Kentucky to fire John Calipari, his contract calls for him to be owed 75-percent of the value remaining on his deal. That's more than $33 million right now.
REMINDER: John Calipari's current buyout at Kentucky is $33,375,000. He's going to be Kentucky's head coach unless someone paid him just south of $34 MILLION DOLLARS. https://t.co/dracynRhe1
John Calipari has a $33 million buyout. Drops to $27 million after 2024-25 season.
John Calipari’s Buyout: $33 MILLION.
John Calipari has one NCAA tourney win in the past five years, Kentucky gave him a lifetime contract, can’t afford to fire him and pays him $9 million a year. Holy crap. It’s going to get NASTY in the bluegrass.