With Louisville Basketball Lamenting Alleged Sex Scandal, Could 2013 NCAA Title Be Vacated?
Not only did the University of Louisville men’s basketball program win the national title in 2013, but for the last four years they have been atop the Forbes rankings of the most valuable men’s basketball programs in the country (with an estimated revenue and profit for the 2013-14 academic year of $41 million and $24 million, respectively).
But if reports that a former head of men’s basketball operations paid an escort service for four years to provide sex to teenage recruits turn out to be true (allegations which are detailed in a book set to be released by Indianapolis-based IBJ Book Publishing LLC), then one must wonder what type of financial and reputational impact it could have on the basketball program, the university, and iconic coach Rick Pitino.
First, let’s consider the possible vacation of wins or titles earned. According to the IBJ story linked above, the 4-year span during which these alleged activities took place include the 2012 and 2013 seasons, in which the Cardinals reached the Final Four both years and won the national championship in 2013. Thus, if the NCAA can prove that student-athletes who played on those teams received “improper benefits”, this could be grounds for vacating wins…which in the extreme, could include Louisville’s 2013 title.
Not only did the University of Louisville men’s basketball program win the national title in 2013, but for the last four years they have been atop the Forbes rankings of the most valuable men’s basketball programs in the country (with an estimated revenue and profit for the 2013-14 academic year of $41 million and $24 million, respectively).
But if reports that a former head of men’s basketball operations paid an escort service for four years to provide sex to teenage recruits turn out to be true (allegations which are detailed in a book set to be released by Indianapolis-based IBJ Book Publishing LLC), then one must wonder what type of financial and reputational impact it could have on the basketball program, the university, and iconic coach Rick Pitino.
First, let’s consider the possible vacation of wins or titles earned. According to the IBJ story linked above, the 4-year span during which these alleged activities took place include the 2012 and 2013 seasons, in which the Cardinals reached the Final Four both years and won the national championship in 2013. Thus, if the NCAA can prove that student-athletes who played on those teams received “improper benefits”, this could be grounds for vacating wins…which in the extreme, could include Louisville’s 2013 title.
