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Arkansas lured head coach John Calipari away from Kentucky this offseason, ending a 15-year stint in Lexington. The Razorbacks officially introduced Coach Cal on Wednesday after agreeing to terms with their new leader.
That deal included a $7M annual salary, as well as perks and potential bonuses, provided he finds success in Fayetteville.
Technically, Calipari is taking a pay cut with Arkansas after earning $8.5M with the Wildcats last season, but other factors helped make that salary decrease easier to swallow.
That included a massive NIL budget, rumored to exceed $5M.
Razorback boosters played in integral role in providing that cash, showing how deep the pockets within the program can be. Jerry Jones (Dallas Cowboys), Rob Walton (Broncos, Wal-Mart), and JB Hunt are all school supporters, and they did their part in landing the head coach.
But no one did more than Tyson Foods billionaire John Tyson.
Already having had a prior relationship with Calipari, he was maybe the most important piece to Arkansas’s courtship. And after landing his guy, he’s letting everyone know!
John Tyson trolled a Kentucky sports personality after Arkansas nabbed John Calipari.
Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio is one of the most popular personalities around Wildcat athletics. He’s been following the Calipari news like a hawk.
Following the coach’s official introduction at Arkansas, Jones posted a photo on his X feed of a “gift” received from John Tyson.
A Tyson Foods care package! The ultimate troll job given those same Tyson products helped the Razorbacks pry Calipari from Kentucky’s hands.
Tyson Foods in Arkansas sent me food to celebrate Calipari
To be fair, that’s solid trolling https://t.co/hctKsyxvWh
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) April 10, 2024
Well done!
With John Calipari out, Kentucky is on the hunt for his replacement. Scott Drew seems to be gaining the most momentum at the moment, though names like Dan Hurley and Billy Donovan are still in the mix.
Matt Jones can snack on some chicken nuggets while he awaits the next update!