menu
Logo
99+
Bobcat Attack Menu
Logo
99+
Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: Geno Ford forced to pay $1.2 million to KSU in breach of contract dispute
Page: 2 of 3
mcbin
General User
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Columbus, OH
Post Count: 951
mail
mcbin
mail
Posted: 7/20/2013 3:16 PM
settings_applications edit_note
cc cat wrote:expand_more
I understand Geno knew what he was doing when he signed the contract.

Still small time.  Let the man go.


So when Groce left, he and Illinois should have skipped out on the $200,000 buyout.


For some reason, I thought in one of the extensions JG signed, any buyout/payback wording was dropped. I think we were happy to keep him another year and wanted to avoid a situation like this. (and knew he was headed for the bigger stage sooner or later) I could be wrong, but this is what I remember.
bornacatfan
General User
Member Since: 8/3/2006
Post Count: 5,752
mail
bornacatfan
mail
Posted: 7/21/2013 1:56 PM
settings_applications edit_note
mcbin wrote:expand_more
I understand Geno knew what he was doing when he signed the contract.

Still small time.  Let the man go.


So when Groce left, he and Illinois should have skipped out on the $200,000 buyout.


For some reason, I thought in one of the extensions JG signed, any buyout/payback wording was dropped. I think we were happy to keep him another year and wanted to avoid a situation like this. (and knew he was headed for the bigger stage sooner or later) I could be wrong, but this is what I remember.


Absolutely right Ben. THe buyout was made inconsequential, much to the consternation of several esteemed posters here. Al little research might turn that thread up but it also may have been before the meltdown.
Last Edited: 7/21/2013 1:56:58 PM by bornacatfan
cc-cat
General User
C
Member Since: 4/5/2006
Location: matthews, NC
Post Count: 4,016
person
mail
cc-cat
mail
Posted: 7/21/2013 8:55 PM
settings_applications edit_note
Was the buyout taken out? or made inconsequential?  Reports all said $200,000 which is pocket change to Illinois (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-03-30/news/sns-rt...)

But if was in the contract, we still deserved it (and I'm sure received it) - Kent too should have the contract buyout followed.
Ohio69
General User
O69
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 3,124
person
mail
Ohio69
mail
Posted: 7/21/2013 11:29 PM
settings_applications edit_note
Monroe Slavin wrote:expand_more
I understand Geno knew what he was doing when he signed the contract.

Still small time. Let the man go.


What reasons do you have for your position? I'm not 'calling you out.' No animosity here; I'm just curious as to why you hold your view.
If the only way you'll pay any sort of top MAC or decent mid-major salary is to insert a huge buyout you are small time. Suing and trying to bankrupt a coach and ruin him after the inevitable (a successful coach leaving for double the salary) happens is small time.

Wish him the best in his future endeavors and move on. Pay an appropriate salary because you can and you want to win. Buyouts and law suits are for those pretending to be what they cannot be.
Last Edited: 7/21/2013 11:32:05 PM by Ohio69
Monroe Slavin
General User
MS
Member Since: 12/21/2004
Location: Oxnard, CA
Post Count: 9,121
person
mail
Monroe Slavin
mail
Posted: 7/22/2013 3:38 AM
settings_applications edit_note
Disagree vehemently.

First, this is business; it would be absolutely irresponsible for a school not to look out for its own interests. In fact, if it didn't, then the perpetrators should probably fired.

Second, your premise (at least in part) is contradictory.  How do you bankrupt a coach who's about to hit a huge payday, especially when his new employer can be looked to to pay off the break-the-contract fee as part of the price of signing the rising star?  That huge payout is exactly not bankrupting the coach.  In fact, it's the coach being rewarded very bigtime because the school which he is leaving had faith in him.  That school deserves the agreed compensation for the risk it took in hiring the now-very-successful coach.
Last Edited: 7/22/2013 3:41:07 AM by Monroe Slavin
Ohio69
General User
O69
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 3,124
person
mail
Ohio69
mail
Posted: 7/22/2013 8:39 AM
settings_applications edit_note
Geno hit a nice pay day, but not one that can overcome owing $1 million.  After taxes are applied to his Bradley salary he's going to be forking over most of his pay to Kent.  Kent is bitter and trying to ruin him financially.  There is no point to this other than that.

You think Kent is protecting its own interests.  Well, short term financial ones maybe.  But, to me this damages Kent's reputation.  Kent is the second biggest public school in Ohio.  They need to act like it.  Paying relatively low salary for basketball with a huge buyout and then suing and bankrupting a guy is just a bitter, small move.  And, makes Kent look really bad as an institution in my opinion.
ou79
General User
O79
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 671
person
mail
ou79
mail
Posted: 7/22/2013 9:14 AM
settings_applications edit_note
I agree with Monroe on this issue because a contract is a contract and this is business.  Further, the amount awarded by the Portage County Court of Common Pleas equaled the remaining balance Kent would have been obligated to pay Geno Ford had he stayed at KSU and fulfilled his contract.  Finally, anyone who lets that slide and not enforce the terms of the contract should be fired and in the business world would be fired.

Oh and by the way, West Virginia University did the same when Michigan raided their football coach a few years back.  I believe they were also compensated when Michigan took their basketball coach as well, but I think Michigan voluntarily paid that amount. 
Last Edited: 7/22/2013 9:16:25 AM by ou79
UpSan Bobcat
General User
Member Since: 8/30/2005
Location: Upper Sandusky, OH
Post Count: 3,817
mail
UpSan Bobcat
mail
Posted: 7/22/2013 10:15 AM
settings_applications edit_note
Ohio69 wrote:expand_more
Geno hit a nice pay day, but not one that can overcome owing $1 million.  After taxes are applied to his Bradley salary he's going to be forking over most of his pay to Kent.  Kent is bitter and trying to ruin him financially.  There is no point to this other than that.

You think Kent is protecting its own interests.  Well, short term financial ones maybe.  But, to me this damages Kent's reputation.  Kent is the second biggest public school in Ohio.  They need to act like it.  Paying relatively low salary for basketball with a huge buyout and then suing and bankrupting a guy is just a bitter, small move.  And, makes Kent look really bad as an institution in my opinion.


It is common practice for either the university or the coach, whoever terminates the contract early, to pay a buyout as dictated in the contract. It happens every time a coach leaves for another job or gets fired. I still don't understand why this case is different and why Ford thought he shouldn't have to pay.
cc-cat
General User
C
Member Since: 4/5/2006
Location: matthews, NC
Post Count: 4,016
person
mail
cc-cat
mail
Posted: 7/22/2013 10:33 AM
settings_applications edit_note
Ohio69 wrote:expand_more
I understand Geno knew what he was doing when he signed the contract.

Still small time. Let the man go.


What reasons do you have for your position? I'm not 'calling you out.' No animosity here; I'm just curious as to why you hold your view.


If the only way you'll pay any sort of top MAC or decent mid-major salary is to insert a huge buyout you are small time. Suing and trying to bankrupt a coach and ruin him after the inevitable (a successful coach leaving for double the salary) happens is small time.

Wish him the best in his future endeavors and move on. Pay an appropriate salary because you can and you want to win. Buyouts and law suits are for those pretending to be what they cannot be.


Lot's of small time universities out there - including most SEC schools who don't want their football coaches poached by NFL.  Geno won't pay the buyout - the university or pro team the coach goes to pays it.   Also, if Geno did "know what he was doing when he signed the contract" then he probably "knew what he was doing when he breached the contract" - thought he would have been raised better than that.  Time to put your big boy pants on Geno - but I guess they don't fit. 

I'm also sure that small time program Brad Stevens is leaving will tell the Celtic, "hey, we are not small time, keep the buyout money.  God Bless Coach Stevens."  In the end its a business.

http://www.ksdk.com/sports/article/351663/6/NCAA-football...

http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/08/fre.../
Last Edited: 7/22/2013 10:46:25 AM by cc-cat
Ohio69
General User
O69
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 3,124
person
mail
Ohio69
mail
Posted: 7/22/2013 11:15 AM
settings_applications edit_note
I used to argue on here for trying to get non-compete clauses in contracts which would prevent a coach from leaving for at least a few years for another college job.

So, I understand the buyout thing and why it exists and why everyone does it.

But, now I've completely changed my mind.  These buyouts are solely about getting some $ when a coach leaves.  That's it.  And, that's not a good reason for them to exist for me.  Its a petty one for me.  There should be more to college sports than just getting your cash.

I guess Kent is going to need the money to help the NCAA pay all these law suits its about to lose.....
cc-cat
General User
C
Member Since: 4/5/2006
Location: matthews, NC
Post Count: 4,016
person
mail
cc-cat
mail
Posted: 7/22/2013 11:33 AM
settings_applications edit_note
So Kent is being small time and petty because while they are following the contract (the law), you think the whole approach in the contract is petty and small time.  Glad you don't serve jury duty 
JSF
General User
Member Since: 1/29/2005
Location: Houston, TX
Post Count: 6,580
mail
JSF
mail
Posted: 7/22/2013 9:42 PM
settings_applications edit_note
Ohio69 wrote:expand_more
  But, to me this damages Kent's reputation.


There is zero evidence of this. Kent has not had any difficulty hiring any coach they wanted since this whole thing started.
Ohio69
General User
O69
Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 3,124
person
mail
Ohio69
mail
Posted: 7/23/2013 8:49 AM
settings_applications edit_note
JSF wrote:expand_more
  But, to me this damages Kent's reputation.


There is zero evidence of this. Kent has not had any difficulty hiring any coach they wanted since this whole thing started.


Sure there is.  I don't think as highly of Kent State as I did before.  So their rep is now damaged.  

What evidence do you have that they hired any coach they wanted?  I'm surprised they passed on Urban Meyer.....
Last Edited: 7/23/2013 8:50:08 AM by Ohio69
giacomo
General User
G
Member Since: 11/20/2007
Post Count: 2,763
person
mail
giacomo
mail
Posted: 7/25/2013 2:58 PM
settings_applications edit_note
Last Edited: 8/2/2013 12:46:53 PM by giacomo
giacomo
General User
G
Member Since: 11/20/2007
Post Count: 2,763
person
mail
giacomo
mail
Posted: 8/2/2013 12:45 PM
settings_applications edit_note
It's silly to think Kent is in the wrong by pursuing this lawsuit. If they had fired him without cause he would expect to be paid the remainder of his contract. Hence, he leaves with time on his deal, the clause in his contract prescribes the penalty and Kent enforces the penalty. It couldn't be any more clear. I've seen similar contracts and it's all spelled out.

His mistake was in not making a big enough jump in salary to compensate for the exit penalty. He may have had wishful thinking that Bradley would take care of it, or that it would go away. It didn't. 
anorris
General User
Member Since: 7/7/2010
Location: Bristol, CT
Post Count: 2,262
mail
anorris
mail
Posted: 9/25/2013 6:40 PM
settings_applications edit_note
Two weeks before trial, Kent State is dropping the case.
JSF
General User
Member Since: 1/29/2005
Location: Houston, TX
Post Count: 6,580
mail
JSF
mail
Posted: 9/25/2013 9:30 PM
settings_applications edit_note
anorris wrote:expand_more
Two weeks before trial, Kent State is dropping the case.


Wha?
anorris
General User
Member Since: 7/7/2010
Location: Bristol, CT
Post Count: 2,262
mail
anorris
mail
Posted: 9/26/2013 2:51 AM
settings_applications edit_note
JSF wrote:expand_more
Two weeks before trial, Kent State is dropping the case.


Wha?
Apologies, was a quick post from work and I didn't look thoroughly. Thought it had been discussed, but either it wasn't or I grabbed the wrong thread. Kent State had been suing over their contact with Ford; that case has been dropped. http://www.pjstar.com/bradleyhoops/x1155165658/Kent-State...
Pete Chouteau
General User
Member Since: 11/17/2004
Location: You Can't See Me
Post Count: 1,696
mail
Pete Chouteau
mail
Posted: 9/26/2013 10:18 AM
settings_applications edit_note
I hesitate to believe that Kent State will "receive nothing" without some sort of source.

Legal notices that the claimant has requested proceedings be dismissed do not make mention of any out of court settlement.

And, frankly, an out of court settlement is how the vast majority of civil cases are resolved.
BillyTheCat
General User
BTC
Member Since: 10/6/2012
Post Count: 10,801
person
mail
BillyTheCat
mail
Posted: 9/26/2013 2:20 PM
settings_applications edit_note
More than likely dismissed with a confidentiality agreement on both sides, likely money has changed hands.
OhioStunter
General User
Member Since: 2/18/2005
Location: Chicago
Post Count: 2,516
mail
OhioStunter
mail
Posted: 9/26/2013 6:53 PM
settings_applications edit_note
BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
More than likely dismissed with a confidentiality agreement on both sides, likely money has changed hands.


Perhaps. But I also wonder if Bradley lawyers made a strong case to KSU that there was no case and that by pursuing it there could be a countersuit for defamation. That, plus the possibility of a long, expensive legal battle quickly changed KSU's minds to let it go.
Pataskala
General User
P
Member Since: 7/8/2010
Location: At least six feet away from anybody else
Post Count: 9,465
person
mail
Pataskala
mail
Posted: 9/27/2013 11:08 AM
settings_applications edit_note
OhioStunter wrote:expand_more
More than likely dismissed with a confidentiality agreement on both sides, likely money has changed hands.


Perhaps. But I also wonder if Bradley lawyers made a strong case to KSU that there was no case and that by pursuing it there could be a countersuit for defamation. That, plus the possibility of a long, expensive legal battle quickly changed KSU's minds to let it go.


The story from the Ravenna Record says that Kent can reinstate the suit if Geno doesn't pay up from the judgment against him, so apparently they're dismissing the case without prejudice.  I think Kent realized that even if they won they likely would be barred from getting anything from Bradley because of the judgment against Geno; they're supposed to get what's due them from Geno and getting anything above that from Bradley wouldn't be equitable. They could later sue Bradley for whatever Geno doesn't pay of the $1.2 million.
BillyTheCat
General User
BTC
Member Since: 10/6/2012
Post Count: 10,801
person
mail
BillyTheCat
mail
Posted: 9/27/2013 11:16 AM
settings_applications edit_note
I would imagine they could garnish the wages of Geno as well to collect.
J.B.Hoy
General User
Member Since: 10/25/2005
Location: Portland, OR
Post Count: 113
mail
J.B.Hoy
mail
Posted: 9/27/2013 3:51 PM
settings_applications edit_note
BillyTheCat wrote:expand_more
I would imagine they could garnish the wages of Geno as well to collect.


Well, I can't have my wages garnished...
- Irwin M. Fletcher


giacomo
General User
G
Member Since: 11/20/2007
Post Count: 2,763
person
mail
giacomo
mail
Posted: 10/3/2013 4:33 PM
settings_applications edit_note
There has to be an orgasm at the end of this thread with all the back and forth.

It's pretty simple: There is a clause in all contracts today that prescribe the penalty for leaving early. Geno had such a clause in his contract. I've seen and reviewed several of these. Kent can either elect to enforce or not. They chose to enforce. It can go to court or be settled amicably out of court. This second option appears to have been taken.

Why would the case be without merit? Where is the defamation? Why is Kent small time by enforcing the contract? Let's say Geno was fired without cause with several years left on his deal. Do you think he would walk away? Would that make him small time?

It appears that many of you don't know or understand the seriousness of signing a contract. I've seen people sign things and think "we'll all just get along" when the thing ends. It usually doesn't.

 
Showing Messages: 26 - 50 of 51
reply
vertical_align_top
vertical_align_center
vertical_align_bottom
add_comment
chevron_backward
chevron_forward
MAC News Links



extra small (< 576px)
small (>= 576px)
medium (>= 768px)
large (>= 992px)
x-large (>= 1200px)
xx-large (>= 1400px)