• Loading stock data...
Friday, April 25, 2025

Fired St. John’s Basketball Coach Mike Anderson Seeks $45 Million from School

  • Anderson claims St. John’s made up reasons to fire him to avoid paying his buyout.
  • The former St. John’s coach claims his buyout funds were instead used to hire Rick Pitino.
Anderson coached St. John's from 2019-2021.
Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Former St. John’s men’s basketball coach Mike Anderson is seeking $45.6 million from the university over claims that St. John’s “manufactured” causes for his firing so the school could avoid paying his buyout and use the money towards hiring Rick Pitino. 

According to a termination letter obtained by ESPN, St. Johns fired Anderson on March 10 for “failure to perform your duties and responsibilities in a manner that reflected positively on St. John’s University  … in actions [that] brought serious discredit” to the school and “failure to appropriately supervise and communicate with your assistant coaches.”

Anderson reportedly claims that St. John’s officials tried to offer him a buyout before then accusing him of “fictitious” problems within his basketball program and firing him for cause. Pitino was hired by St. John’s on March 20 in a six-year deal reportedly worth $20 million.

“St. John’s manufactured out of whole cloth its preposterous ‘for cause’ termination of Mr. Anderson’s employment with the sole purpose of attempting to extricate the University from its $11.4 million ironclad contractual obligation to Mr. Anderson, specifically so that it could otherwise divert those funds to Pitino,” a filing by Anderson’s representative says, per ESPN.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ole Miss

Coach Yo: Women’s College Hoops Are ‘Pay for Play’

Ole Miss coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin built a top transfer class this offseason.
Flau'jae Johnson
exclusive

Flau’jae Johnson Says She Will Return to LSU

The transfer portal closed Wednesday.
Fordham

Fordham Hit With Rare NIL Era NCAA Sanctions

The Rams were hit with recruiting violations stemming from a Times Square photo shoot.
marathon

Strava Gobbles Up A.I. Coaching App Runna

It’s the latest acquisition for the popular fitness app.

Featured Today

The Former NBA Agent Who Became a Pickleball Deputy Commissioner

Chris Patrick went from representing Jimmy Butler to pickleball deputy commissioner.
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a three point basket against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
April 21, 2025

Cooper Flagg’s Timing Is Perfect for the NBA and USA Basketball

The projected No. 1 pick just declared for the draft.
Apr 14, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Paige Bueckers is interviewed by ESPN after being selected with the number one overall pick to the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards
April 21, 2025

ESPN’s WNBA Coverage Mirrors the League’s Stunning Growth

“I don’t think we stand still in our coverage of women’s sports,” says Rowe.
Mar 16, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates with guard Isaiah Joe (11) after score in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum.
April 20, 2025

Unorthodox OKC: The Thunder Redefined Tanking to Become NBA’s Best

A rebuild years in the making has OKC in the driver’s seat.
Mar 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Lamont Butler (1) dribbles the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers in the first half during a Midwest Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.

College Sports Has Become a Billion-Dollar Business. Kentucky Is Embracing It

Kentucky said its LLC would operate similarly to two hospitals run by the university.
April 24, 2025

The House Settlement Is in Jeopardy. Here’s What It Will Take to..

The parties will try to salvage the settlement over the next two weeks.
Jan 21, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; College Football Playoff executive director Rich Clark speaks during the CFP National Championship Host Committee handoff press conference at The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Savannah Ballroom.
April 24, 2025

CFP Meetings End With No Major Changes to 12-Team Playoff—for Now

For now, the complicated seeding process will remain in place.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

This week, Two-time Super Bowl Champion and CBS NFL analyst Logan Ryan joins us to talk the business of sports on our third installment of Portfolio Players.
NC State women's cross country
April 23, 2025

Judge Threatens to Reject $2.8 Billion House v. NCAA Settlement

The NCAA and power conferences could end up at trial.
Dec 27, 2024; Memphis, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Miguel Mitchell (16) returns an interception during the forth quarter against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
April 23, 2025

NIL Contract Buyouts Are More Common, but Can They Be Enforced?

The Arkansas collective has issued two demand letters to players to pay buyouts.
Mar 20, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; McNeese State Cowboys guard Quadir Copeland (11) brings the ball up court against Clemson Tigers forward Ian Schieffelin (4) during the second half at Amica Mutual Pavilion.
April 22, 2025

Why College Players Without NCAA Eligibility Are Flooding the Transfer Portal

Athletes nationwide hope legal challenges will win them extra eligibility.
Charlie Baker
April 22, 2025

NCAA Increases Lobbying Spending in First Months of Trump

The governing body spent $450,000 on lobbying during the first quarter.