Sports

Absolutely Nobody Showed Up To Watch Louisville Pummel Kentucky Into $37 Million Dilemma

#College Football
by
Mark Stoops / Kentucky Wildcats

© Matt Stone/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images


The Louisville football team pummeled rival Kentucky in its season finale this past Saturday. The Cardinals did so in front of a crowd that was far from sold out.

The turnout was a result of disappointing seasons on each side. The final outcome could force the Wildcats to make a $37 million decision.

The schools entered the year with much different goals. Kentucky was hoping to rebound from last year’s four-win campaign. A bowl game appearance would’ve been progress.

Louisville, meanwhile, had eyes set on an ACC title and College Football Playoff appearance. Neither program achieved those preseason objectives.

Kentucky finished the year 5-7. The Cardinals went 8-4. There was little excitement surrounding this year’s annual rivalry matchup.

Louisville won a football game with little support.

The scene outside of L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium was lackluster. Views from inside the venue weren’t much better.

There was a reported attendance of 50,634 fans, about 15,000 fewer than capacity. Photos from the afternoon would suggest that number was inflated.

It was a dreary day for football, with cloudy skies and temperatures in the low 40s. Fans were unwilling to brave the conditions on a holiday weekend.

That crowd size had no impact on the home team.

The Cardinals rolled to a 41-0 win despite battling the injury bug. They held the Wildcats to less than 150 yards of offense while forcing a pair of turnovers.

It was Kentucky’s worst loss of the season, which followed a 45-17 setback at the hands of Vanderbilt a week earlier. Those ugly outcomes have created a dilemma.

Will Kentucky fire Mark Stoops?

The coach has gone 9-15 across his last two seasons. His contract runs through 2031 thanks to a 2022 extension. The coach makes $8.6 million per season.

Stoops is owed 75% of his remaining contract should he be fired without cause. As of December 1st, that buyout number is $37.69 million.

According to KSR, the school is currently discussing its options. Insider Matt Jones says “conversations are happening” regarding the future of the program.

The $37 million payment is significant. A decision to fire is made more difficult by the timing in which the buyout must be paid.

Reminder that Stoops’ contract calls for a $37 million buyout due in its entirety within 60 days of a firing without cause.

Also a reminder that after the Louisville game, he said there’s a “zero percent chance” he just walks away.

-Andy Staples / X

Kentucky would owe Mark Stoops all $37 million within two months’ time. That might make the Wildcats hesitant to pull the trigger despite lacking production over the last two seasons.

With that being said, the head coach’s seat is certainly getting warmer. The embarrassing outcomes of the last two games have cranked up the heat.

Talks are being had. Will they lead to a firing? If so, the loss to Louisville will be the straw that broke the camel’s back.