The Ambassador Clause
Opinion: 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 part ways, but only after next year.
The contract includes an “Ambassador Clause” that would provide financial compensation to the university, allowing Coach Calipari to depart in a manner that is both financially acceptable and avoids any 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 will 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 situation.
Termination immediately following this season, without cause, would cost the University just over $40 million dollars. Fire Cal after the 2023-24 season and the buyout amounts to just over $33 million dollars. 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 Cal and Barnhart working together as a team.
In the meantime, let’s hope this Kentucky Wildcats Basketball team can capture some big wins over the next six games and make the 2023 March Madness field.
