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Product Rodriguez Shows WVU the Money
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In the end, it really was all about the money. According to numerous media outlets, (most notably this AP story), West Virginia University and former head coach Rich Rodriguez have reached a settlement agreement whereby the former coach will pay the $4 million buyout at issue in the nasty court dispute between the two parties. (How that is construed as a "settlement" is beyond me. That's like me settling my 75 dollar Comcast bill by paying them 75 dollars.) The salient details of the payment schedule are fairly surprising (and funny) themselves. According to this Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article: "[Sources indicate that] Rodriguez will pay $1.5 million over a three-year span that begins in two-and-a-half years, with $500,000 due at the end of each 2010, 2011 and 2012. Michigan will pay $2.5 million immediately, and additionally is expected to pick up Mr. Rodriguez's legal fees."  An approximate analogy of WVU's legal victory over Rodriguez. The WVU Board of Governors must still approve the deal, but the AP article indicates that their approval is almost assured. That article cites university attorney Tom Flaherty as reporting that "the Rodriguez camp approached the university with a "significant and serious offer" within the past few days, and WVU responded with a counterproposal Tuesday." The settlement isn't a total victory for the university, as it still must pay its own attorney fees and isn't permitted to charge pre or post-settlement interest. The previously cited AP article notes that the decision to settle was related to a lawsuit WVU filed in a Michigan court last week asking a judge to order Michigan athletic director Bill Martin and President Mary Sue Coleman to testify in depositions related to the WVU v. Rodriguez case. At the end of the day, the agreement to meet the initially-proposed (and contractually stipulated) $4 million dollar buyout serves as a definitive victory not only for WVU, but for all NCAA schools held captive at the whim of fickle coaches and flimsy buyout clauses. At a time when it seems like the contracts of NCAA coaches aren't worth the paper they're written on, perhaps this settlement indicates a shift in the tide.  "Man, does this suck for me." So it appears that the long and nasty feud between WVU and its former favorite son is soon to end, and both sides will be able to move forward towards their respective 2008-2009 football seasons. And it also seems like Mountaineer fans are, as they have always said they would be, satisfied by the fact that Rodriguez is going to be forced to pay what he was obligated to pay. Ever since the onset of the bitter dispute between WVU and Rodriguez, the national media mistook WVU fans' anger over their coach's departure as that of a jilted lover. We were jealous. We were scorned. We wanted revenge. The truth was that while the initial sting of Rodriguez's departure was severe, most Mountaineer fans moved past the scorn on exactly the same date and time- January 2, 2008. After that, it became an issue of honor to us. Honor your contract. Honor your word. I said as much in this blog entry, noting that my stance on the ex-coach could "be summed up by a line in the movie 'Jackie Brown'- "Jackie can tell me any story that comes into her pretty little head, just so long as at the end of that story she hands me my motherf---ing money." Now it appears that the Rodriguez camp and his new employer are prepared to hand WVU their motherf---ing money, and all is well with WVU fans everywhere. I predict that you'll see the hate dissipate (although we'll still root heavily against Michigan), and even see a few positive things written by previously scornful WVU fans. That's just how we are. All we wanted was what was owed to us, to the university. After that, it's good riddance, Product Rodriguez. |
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| Poster | Thread |
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| wheelert | Posted: 7/9/2008 10:46 am Updated: 7/9/2008 10:47 am |
Makin' it Rain   Joined: 9/15/2006 From: Monrovia MD Posts: 3761 |
 Re: Product Rodriguez Shows WVU the MoneyNaaah! I will still be bitter! But I'm glad he will pay up. I hope Michigan takes it out of his salary. Wonder what Brown's standing will be now that he cost his client and Mich so much lettuce shopping Product HWSNBN? It looks like planning deposing the Michigan folks was the last straw, although they couldn't have been pleased with Brown and Rita's depositions.
Richfraud can now visit Almost Heaven; he just can't stay the night! |
| RicoTyler29 | Posted: 7/9/2008 11:32 am Updated: 7/9/2008 11:32 am |
Pitt Hater   Joined: 8/16/2006 From: Richmond, Va (Hometown: Charleston) Posts: 2144 |
Re: Product Rodriguez Shows WVU the Money Great article, Jude.
I like the analogy to the Comcast bill. The way ESPN is phrasing it, it's as if Rodriguez has graciously agreed to give WVU $4 million, you know, to put this thing to rest, as apposed to PAYING WHAT HIS CONTRACT DEMANDED!!! If people want to phrase it accurately, it's more to the effect of: "Rich Rodriguez agreed to stop contesting the terms of his contract." Good day for WVU. |
| Dan | Posted: 7/9/2008 11:56 am Updated: 7/9/2008 11:56 am |
Staff Writer   Joined: 8/2/2006 From: DC Posts: 412 |
Re: Product Rodriguez Shows WVU the Money I'm satisfied, I actually thought it would be a real "settlement."
Does anybody recall that Hurricane Rita's deposition was postponed, etc. Hmmm...then all of a sudden, the RR camp caves in. Good work Mike Brown and your team of Imbecile and Asshats. The real loser in all of this may be ol' Beilein who has to pay his buyout out of his OWN pocket. He can't be too happy right now but then again, if he has another season like he did, Michigan may be paying him a buyout for him to hit the road.  |
| Ironoak | Posted: 7/9/2008 12:14 pm Updated: 7/9/2008 12:14 pm |
Here for the Beer   Joined: 1/17/2008 From: VA Posts: 274 |
Re: Product Rodriguez Shows WVU the Money Great stuff Jude - and WVU - the school got the full 4 mil as they should according to the legal document previously signed.
Maybe the first in big time college football to stand up for what was due. |
| WVUfaninlex | Posted: 7/9/2008 12:20 pm Updated: 7/9/2008 12:20 pm |
Pitt Hater  Joined: 9/1/2006 From: Lexington, KY Posts: 1260 |
Re: Product Rodriguez Shows WVU the Money It counts as a "settlement" because we're not getting all the money at once... and we're agreeing to forego interest.
If you use 12% per year (the legal rate on judgments in KY, I don't know what the WV rate is) my quick math tells me that WVU is agreeing to forego $630,000 in potential interest. All-in-all, though, it's a good deal for everyone involved, except Michigan. They have to deal with having RR as coach without Pat White as quarterback. And, now, Michigan and RR are delegated to the long list of people and places about whom I don't give a #$^&. |
| iceberg7281 | Posted: 7/9/2008 12:43 pm Updated: 7/9/2008 12:43 pm |
Noob   Joined: 2/17/2008 From: Morgantown, WV Posts: 36 |
Re: Product Rodriguez Shows WVU the Money "Jackie can tell me any story that comes into her pretty little head, just so long as at the end of that story she hands me my motherf---ing money."
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| wvufan1818 | Posted: 7/9/2008 1:32 pm Updated: 7/9/2008 1:32 pm |
Grant Ave. Warrior   Joined: 7/8/2008 From: hedgesville WV Posts: 772 |
Re: Product Rodriguez Shows WVU the Money haha hat's like me settling my 75 dollar Comcast bill by paying them 75 dollars but its about time
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| Pabstman | Posted: 7/9/2008 3:51 pm Updated: 7/9/2008 3:51 pm |
Makin' it Rain  Joined: 5/14/2008 From: Posts: 4780 |
Re: Product Rodriguez Shows WVU the Money He did show us the money 1.5 Mill of his on money...hell yes. I wish they made him pay it all. Make him flip burgers at the local McDonalds. Oh, and rita just needs to give up the tanning beds...pawn them be-otch.
Okay...I feel better but I will always pick MI to loose just like Notre Lame!!! |
| navi8orgirl | Posted: 7/9/2008 4:04 pm Updated: 7/9/2008 4:04 pm |
WMITC   Joined: 2/9/2006 From: Houston, TX Posts: 3565 |
Re: Product Rodriguez Shows WVU the Money "After that, it's good riddance, Product Rodriguez."
All that needs to be said. Great read, Jude, as always! (and thanks for the Comcast analogy... )Now bring on football season. |
| dell8242 | Posted: 7/9/2008 5:53 pm Updated: 7/9/2008 5:53 pm |
Suspected Punter   Joined: 11/27/2007 From: Charleston, SC Posts: 226 |
Re: Product Rodriguez Shows WVU the Money I'm glad it's over but I still hope Product Rodriguez gets recalled in Ann Arbor
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| EERCrazy | Posted: 7/9/2008 6:50 pm Updated: 7/9/2008 6:50 pm |
Gettin' Schmitty   Joined: 2/2/2008 From: Posts: 7392 |
Re: Product Rodriguez Shows WVU the Money Priceless Jude......
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| Sandstone56 | Posted: 7/9/2008 7:14 pm Updated: 7/9/2008 7:14 pm |
Here for the Beer Joined: 4/10/2008 From: Halifax, VA Posts: 299 |
Re: Product Rodriguez Shows WVU the Money Does anyone actually believe that Brown shopped Rod around without approval and encouragement? I don't! I think Rod hired Brown as his agent because his previous agent had some scruples.
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| wooddash | Posted: 7/10/2008 1:57 pm Updated: 7/10/2008 1:57 pm |
Party Machine   Joined: 12/20/2007 From: Rockville, MD Posts: 639 |
Re: Product Rodriguez Shows WVU the Money a definitive victory not only for WVU, but for all NCAA schools held captive at the whim of fickle coaches and flimsy buyout clauses
Amen Jude. Hopefully this will be the end of not only NCAA bailouts, but professional too. |
| BeastoftheEast | Posted: 7/11/2008 6:03 pm Updated: 7/11/2008 6:03 pm |
WMITC  Joined: 7/21/2006 From: Boone County, WV Posts: 9803 |
Re: Product Rodriguez Shows WVU the Money This has been a long tiring journey of many news stories, many pissed off posts and a three ring courtroom circus courtesy of Prod Rod but in the end it has a happy ending..for WVU anyway.
Of course what I find funny is that the WVU fans are happy and it's now the Michigan fans that are posting pissy little pieces on news article comments and what not. Who's bitter now asshats? |
| WVKay | Posted: 7/11/2008 8:59 pm Updated: 7/11/2008 8:59 pm |
Pitt Hater  Joined: 1/17/2008 From: Monroe County, WV now in Morgan, GA Posts: 2287 |
Re: Product Rodriguez Shows WVU the Money Who sounds like the jilted ex-lover now? Not us.
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| xmedic80 | Posted: 7/13/2008 12:01 am Updated: 7/13/2008 12:01 am |
Suspected Punter  Joined: 7/6/2008 From: Whitesville, WV Posts: 236 |
Re: Product Rodriguez Shows WVU the Money "All we wanted was what was owed to us, to the university.
After that, it's good riddance, Product Rodriguez." I'll burn a couch to that.  |
| msaul37 | Posted: 7/15/2008 9:10 pm Updated: 7/15/2008 9:10 pm |
 Joined: 7/27/2006 From: Alkol, Lincoln County Posts: 12329 |
Re: Product Rodriguez Shows WVU the Money end drama, begin national title hunt 08-09. i loved how the reports i seen last week were all downing the michigan coach. pretty awesome
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| WestVirginia | Posted: 8/17/2008 7:39 pm Updated: 8/17/2008 7:39 pm |
Gettin' Schmitty  Joined: 5/14/2008 From: Almost Heaven, West Virginia Posts: 6418 |
Re: Product Rodriguez Shows WVU the Money Roots never was what he claimed to be.
The lies he told, that in it's self pissed off alot of Mountaineers, it did me. He got off lightly by paying the 4 million, he could've taken a good ole ass-whipping as well. |
