Photo by Joe Faraoni / ESPN Images(LOUISVILLE, Ky.) — Former head basketball coach Rick Pitino is suing the University of Louisville Athletic Association for nearly $40 million, claiming breach of contract after he was placed on unpaid leave and later fired last month.
Pitino was fired in October as the FBI investigated bribery and fraud in the world of college basketball recruiting. The federal investigation found that recruits had been steered to Adidas, sports agents and financial advisers.
Pitino has claimed he was unaware of an alleged payment made by a Louisville assistant coach to the family of Brian Bowen, a top recruit who has not been cleared to play for the Cardinals. The school has announced that Bowen can transfer if he chooses.
A university spokesman told the Louisville Courier-Journal that it is aware of the lawsuit, but that the school would not comment.
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