University of Iowa Athletics will reimburse state for $2M football settlement costs

[cigaretteman]

University of Iowa Athletics will reimburse the state for the $2 million taxpayers covered of a $4.2 million deal to settle a discrimination lawsuit 12 former football players filed against UI Athletics and its coaches, UI President Barbara Wilson said Thursday morning.


“I appreciate the work and due diligence of the Iowa Attorney General and State Appeal Board,” Wilson said in a statement. “After listening to the concerns of Iowans, and in consultation with Board of Regents leadership, I have determined that the University of Iowa Department of Athletics will reimburse the state general fund for the $2 million due to the recent settlement.


“I am deeply committed to our students’ success and well-being on and off the field of play.”


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The State Appeal Board earlier this week agreed to settle the lawsuit and fund nearly half of the payout with taxpayer dollars from the state’s general fund. UI had been on the hook for the remaining $2.175 million.


State Auditor Rob Sand voted against the settlement, saying he wouldn’t support it as long as UI Athletic Director Gary Barta remained at the helm.


UI President Wilson hasn’t answered questions about Barta’s employment and demands from the auditor that he be removed.


Lawmakers on Wednesday introduced a bill that would mandate Iowa’s public universities reimburse it for costs associated with settlements tied to athletics.

UI Athletics will reimburse state for $2M football settlement costs

University of Iowa Athletics will reimburse the state for the $2 million taxpayers covered of a $4.2 million deal to settle a discrimination lawsuit 12 former football players filed against UI Athletics and its coaches, UI President Barbara Wilson said Thursday morning.

www.thegazette.com

 

[anon_b29nm7v7dwp6r]

The fact that this wasn’t the plan from the beginning is sort of appalling.

 

[Jerome Silberman]

Lulz. Mf'in season ticket holders just paid the bill.

 

[StormHawk42]

If I was a coach of one of the other sports, I’d be a little peeved. Even if football is the rain-maker.

 

[joelbc1]

It took a few days but apparently the U of I decided to do something the right way. Thank God The auditor had the balls to say something...that had to be a factor here.

 

[onlyTheObvious]

Big Ten prints money. Some of that should be used to reduce tuition IMO.

 

[MitchLL]

It took a few days but apparently the U of I decided to do something the right way. Thank God The auditor had the balls to say something...that had to be a factor here.

Yep! Iowans can thank Rob Sand for really publicizing this travesty.

Barta needs to retire YESTERDAY.

The optics are terrible and will continue to be used against the University.

 

[JupiterHawk]

The fact that this wasn’t the plan from the beginning is sort of appalling.

The fact that those players get to collect is also appalling.

 

[Obviously Oblivious]

Good call Barbara, apparently you're not completely deaf, dumb and blind. Public monies should never be expended for these types of purposes.

 

[BustingNarratives]

The fact that this wasn’t the plan from the beginning is sort of appalling.

I agree. Made zero sense ... both from a liability and PR perspective.

 

[joelbc1]

I agree. Made zero sense ... both from a liability and PR perspective.

The University has always lacked in its PR. Especially the Athletic Department. (They don’t call it “Fort Kinnick” for no reason.
UIowa’s publicity/PR model consists of tripping over their dick repeatedly.

 

[JupiterHawk]

The University has always lacked in its PR. Especially the Athletic Department. (They don’t call it “Fort Kinnick” for no reason.
UIowa’s publicity/PR model consists of tripping over their dick repeatedly.

Their legal department seems to be lacking as well.

 

[QChawks]

thanks a lot Gary Barta

that $2M would have been a nice chuck of Kirk's buyout

 

[DogBoyRy]

If I was a coach of one of the other sports, I’d be a little peeved. Even if football is the rain-maker.

Really?
It’ not like fball and bball make their existence much easier year after year after year…….

 

[Huey Grey]

Yep! Iowans can thank Rob Sand for really publicizing this travesty.

Barta needs to retire YESTERDAY.

The optics are terrible and will continue to be used against the University.

So should Kirk.

 

[joelbc1]

Their legal department seems to be lacking as well.

I agree…in a 1000 different fronts. Sally “fired” a guy who had a good understanding of how things worked. They have tumbled and stumbled often since his departure.
Just my observation.

 

[MitchLL]

So should Kirk.

I can see the motive here from the University hierarchy.

Sand called out Barta. So, right or wrong, the spotlight is on GB. Enough for pressure calling for his termination. University President doesn't want to go thru a hiring search for a new AD any more than an AD wants to replace head coaches in any sport.
So it's easier to pay the $2M and hope the pressure to fire Barta goes away in the next month.

 

[hawkedoff]

I see none of you quite get that the university had zero say in anything related to the settlement. That entire decision belonged to the attorney general. That office settled the case abd agreed to the structure abd amount of the settlement. The University didn't have a say and doesn't have a say nor is it likely they were even in the room. If you want to blame someone for how things were structured look at the attorney general

As for Rob Sand, he is an oppornustic political hack that used his father in laws wealth to steal an office in order to launch a political career to become governor or senator. Everything he does is shaded by his ambition including calling out Barta. He is not doing anything for Iowans. If that happens it is a coincidence

 

[Huey Grey]

I see none of you quite get that the university had zero say in anything related to the settlement. That entire decision belonged to the attorney general. That office settled the case abd agreed to the structure abd amount of the settlement. The University didn't have a say and doesn't have a say nor is it likely they were even in the room. If you want to blame someone for how things were structured look at the attorney general

As for Rob Sand, he is an oppornustic political hack that used his father in laws wealth to steal an office in order to launch a political career to become governor or senator. Everything he does is shaded by his ambition including calling out Barta. He is not doing anything for Iowans. If that happens it is a coincidence

Your post is pure garbage. Congrats

 

[THE_DEVIL]

Good call Barbara, apparently you're not completely deaf, dumb and blind. Public monies should never be expended for these types of purposes.

She does play a mean pinball