Mark Pope buyout at Kentucky: Contract details for Wildcats coach
Here's what to know about Mark Pope's buyout information and contract details following Kentucky basketball's blowout March Madness loss to Iowa State.
Kentucky men's basketball's confusing season came to an end on Sunday. The 7th-seeded Wildcats of the Midwest Region were handed a 19-point loss by 2-seed Iowa State on Sunday in St. Louis in overtime, giving Kentucky its first exit in the first weekend under Pope, who helped lead the program to a national championship under Rick Pitino as a player.
Toppmeyer: Kentucky's win over Santa Clara leaves Jamal Mashburn unimpressed Mark Pope facing heat: Kentucky faces March Madness pressure Kentucky found some March magic in Friday's first-round overtime win over 10-seed Santa Clara with Otega Oweh getting off a game-tying 3-pointer from near the logo to tie the game and force overtime. Oweh, who hit a pair of key free throws in overtime, went off for 35 points in the win over the Broncos. Coming off a Sweet 16 run in Pope's second season, the honeymoon stage of his return to Lexington was quickly ended this season, as the Wildcats had an up-and-down year that featured losses they "should not have" taken as a "blue blood", like Missouri, Georgia, and Auburn in SEC play.
Kentucky went 1-4 against top-ranked opponents in the nonconference as well. There were also wins — like Tennessee, Arkansas, St. John's and Vanderbilt — for the Wildcats that reminded the SEC (and the country) of the talent — that has come at the cost of well over $20 million in NIL value — that Pope has on his roster.
Here's what to know of Pope's buyout and contract information at Kentucky following the Wildcats' loss to Iowa State: Mark Pope buyout at Kentucky According to Pope's contract, obtained by the USA TODAY Network, Kentucky would owe the coach $$12,937,500 million if he were fired on April 1. Mark Pope contract details at Kentucky Length: Contract has three years remaining Base salary remaining: $1. 2 million Supplemental compensation remaining: $16,050,000 million According to Kentucky's contract with Pope, obtained by the USA TODAY Network, there are three additional years remaining.