Calipari, Rose settle to avoid lawsuit

Calipari

UK

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Coach John Calipari and former Memphis guard Derrick Rose have agreed to pay $100,000 to avoid a lawsuit over the Tigers’ season that ended in the 2008 Final Four with the wins later vacated by the NCAA.

Calipari left Memphis for Kentucky in May 2009. Rose left for the NBA after his freshman year. Calipari and Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson committed to repaying Final Four bonuses in a confidential settlement signed on May 28, 2010.

Three attorneys represented “certain ticket holders” who argued they bought tickets under false pretenses and threatened to sue. The Commercial Appeal first obtained a copy of the agreement under Tennessee’s open records laws.

Calipari is repaying $232,000 over four years. Rose will consider making a donation to the scholarship fund within five years.