Opinion-2 Minute Read: Maybe I’m wrong but it seems our great University of Kentucky has a basketball coach with a lifetime contract who cannot win meaningful basketball games. On June 13, 2019, John Calipari signed a “lifetime contract” worth $86 million dollars to continue his role as head basketball coach at the University of Kentucky. Although it’s not a widely discussed topic, there is a viable solution available if the university decides to replace Cal. A clause within the contract could be adopted, but not until the completion of the 2023-24 season.
The Ambassador Clause
The contract includes an “Ambassador Clause” that would relieve the university of significant financial burden and allow John Calipari to depart his head coaching job. Calipari would fill a new role and avoid the potential public embarrassment from a termination scenario. Cal’s title would be “Special Assistant to the Athletic Director“. His salary would be a manageable $950,000 annually.
According to the timeline, Coach Calipari would have one more year to improve the program’s performance and meet expectations, while also mentoring the incoming #1 ranked recruiting class and maintaining its cohesion. His loose role with the University would be to “assist in fundraising and promoting all sports”. In my opinion, this scenario adopts a win-win situation for both Coach Cal and the University of Kentucky, as Cal avoids the embarrassment of termination and the University avoids an unbearable financial burden.
According to some sources, terminating John Calipari’s employment is much more complex. Termination following this season, without cause, would require a buyout of just over $40 million dollars. Fire Cal after next season and the buyout amounts to just over $33 million dollars. Subsequent buyouts decrease to $27,000,000, $20,250,000, $13,500,000 and finally, $6,750,000 at the end of the 2027-28 season. The end of the 2027-28 season marks year ten of the lifetime contract. Calipari could now elect to move into his new “Ambassador” role. However, at any time Cal could choose to leave, with zero penalty. Unbelievable – NO penalty, just walk away.
In my opinion, there would seem to be two insurmountable problems with getting John Calipari to agree to the Ambassador Clause within its established timeline. Some insiders have reported that Coach Calipari has a strong ego and plans to leave his head coaching position on his own terms. Next, rumors have circulated that Calipari’s relationship with AD Mitch Barnhart is tenuous with limited communication and interaction. If this is the case, I just can’t see Coach Cal and Mitch Barnhart working together as a team.
In the meantime, let’s hope this team can capture some big wins over the next six games and make the 2023 March Madness field.
