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Kentucky fans are steaming after another shocking loss, and it has Big Blue Nation eager for a change. The “Fire John Calipari” crowd is out in full force, and they’re beginning to take things into their own hands.
GoFundMe accounts have been created after the ‘Cats latest defeat as they look to fundraise for the coach’s massive buyout. They’ll have their work cut out for them.
Calipari’s contract includes a guarantee of $8.5M this season, as well as a responsibility on Kentucky to pay 75% of his remaining agreement should he be fired without cause. Boardroom broke down the terms of the 10-year deal earlier this week.
If Kentucky wants to fire him without cause, the school is going to owe him 75% of what remains in base and supplemental pay… If Calipari is fired after 2022-23: $39,750,000 (plus 75% of his remaining pay from the date he is fired to June 29, 2023)
Whispers of a firing began last season following the first round NCAA Tournament exit at the hands of 15-seed Saint Peter’s. The buyout has been of even more interest this season as the Wildcats continue to struggle. On Tuesday, UK dropped a game to SEC rebuild South Carolina, who’s in the first year under head coach Lamont Paris and was fresh off of a 43(!) point loss to Tennessee.
Making things worse, the loss came at home, snapping a 28-game winning streak for the ‘Cats in Rupp Arena. They’ve dropped to 10-6 on the year, with a 1-3 mark in conference play. Fans were already angry coming into the game, with some pushing for their head coach to take another job.
He’s been mentioned in connection with the Texas job now that Chris Beard has been fired.
Oh no, BBN pic.twitter.com/EbmJMKvtrH
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) January 11, 2023
After the game was over, the cries for Calipari to go grew louder.
Kentucky fans create GoFundMe for John Calipari buyout
If Coach Cal won’t leave on his own, Kentucky fans will find another option. They’ve now begun fundraising efforts to gather that near $40M amount for Calipari’s buyout.
One particular account has been circulating social media.
https://twitter.com/NoahALeighton/status/1612987335339040768?s=20&t=HbbEeEF06tltCo103NmJJw
The description reads, “As the BBN is fully aware, we are in dire need of a new basketball coach. Swaggy Cal died a long time ago, and there is no end in sight of things getting any better… Please consider donating in order to save Kentucky Basketball as we know it. BBN, the Commonwealth, and the world as we know it are now in your hands. ”
A bit dramatic, but you wouldn’t expect anything less from Big Blue.
Unfortunately, the fundraiser has a long way to go before it can afford Calipari’s buyout. The ‘Cats may be better off hoping he takes another job, because they might not be able to get rid of him otherwise.