Settlement on RR CASE

[mountaineerinpa]

Rich Rod Will Pay!
Hoppy Kercheval


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Hoppy's Comments on RR Settlement
Metronews has learned that a tentative settlement has been reached in WVU’s law suit against former coach Rich Rodriguez that calls for Rodriguez or someone on his behalf to pay the entire $4 million dollars in damages.

WVU Attorney Tom Flaherty tells Metronews, “We’ve got a tentative settlement.”

The deal was reached just before midnight last night and, if approved by the WVU Board of Governors, will end the caustic legal fight between WVU and its former coach.

Rodriguez left WVU last December for the head coaching job at Michigan, but fought the provision in his contract that called for him to pay $4 million in damages.

Rodriguez claimed he had been defrauded by the University, essentially tricked into signing his new contract last August, but WVU argued that Rodriguez understood what he was signing.

A break in the case came two nights ago with a face to face meeting between representatives of WVU and Rodriguez along with a mediator. Talks continued yesterday and the two sides reached an agreement just before midnight last night.

“We just kept moving on multiple fronts,” said Flaherty.

Flaherty says he’ll release more details of the settlement after he gives details to the WVU Board of Governors will still must approve the deal, but he said the agreement sets up a timetable for payment.

The deal also specifies how much Rodriguez will pay and how much will be paid by others on behalf of Rodriguez.

One key that triggered a settlement appeared to be the pressure brought by WVU to depose Michigan President Sue Coleman and Athletic Director Bill Martin. There was a hearing scheduled in Michigan this afternoon on WVU’s attempts to force the two to testify under oath what they knew about the hiring of Rodriguez and the buyout clause in the contract with WVU.

WVU was trying to show that Rodriguez must have understood the buyout provision because he negotiated with Michigan to help with the payment.

Another key development was Michigan’s release of documents that reportedly showed Michigan agreed to help pay the buyout.

[mountaineerinpa]

I am satisfied with this Settlement if it comes to be the case.

[mountaineerinpa]

RR knew he was screwed if the attorneys for WV disposed Sue and Bill.

[smurph]

I would like to hear everybody's guess on how much of the $4 million will be paid by either the U of M or by its athletic supporters (pun intended).

I will say more than half of it.

[smiteedawgwv]

UPDATE: He WILL Pay!!! Approved by WVU BOG!!!

A RELEASE FROM WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY:

West Virginia University will receive the full $4 million owed to the institution by former football coach Rich Rodriguez in an agreement reached today (July 9) and approved by WVU’s Board of Governors in an emergency meeting.

“We felt from the beginning that we had a solid and valid contract that all parties understood and agreed to, including the liquidated damages clause,” WVU President Mike Garrison said. “From the outset of this matter, we believed it was very important to protect the financial interests of our great University.”

Newly elected BOG Chairwoman Carolyn Long praised Garrison and WVU’s legal team for bringing the matter to a successful conclusion.

“As a board, we are pleased that President Garrison and his executive and legal teams did the right and fair thing by pursuing this matter,” she said. “It became clear through documentation and other evidence that Mr. Rodriguez, his agent, financial adviser and University of Michigan officials were also keenly aware of all contract details. I am pleased that they have agreed to abide by the signed contract.”

She added, “After all, a contract is a contract, and once signed, individuals are obligated to honor the clear written terms of that agreement. I am glad we can now close the chapter on that book.”

Officials said terms of the full value settlement agreement include a timetable for payments, with the first payment of $2.5 million due by the end of July, and the remaining $1.5 million to be paid in three equal installments (January 2010, January 2011 and January 2012). There will be no further legal action or claims.

Rodriguez resigned Dec. 18 to accept the head coaching job at Michigan.

[WVUMntneerJim]

It's gunna take him a long time to pay it off, but at least there's an arrangement!

[smiteedawgwv]

Anyone have a guess how far ahead we'll come out on this whole deal after lawyers fees etc... 6 months of lawyers working on this ain't gonna be cheap. But it is a HUGE moral victory and this case layed the groundwork for possible future situations when a coach tries to pull like this. Just the fact that we won and the bastard has to pay is good enough for me, but it would be nice to benefit from it financially as well.

[WVUfanPHILLY]

Just on ESPNews. RR to pay 1.5, boosters to pay 2.5.

[mountaineerinpa]

I would like for it to be the other way around. DAMNIT

[smurph]

My prediction (scUM pays more than half was correct). The potential depositions of the UM bigwigs made them they would have to either settle or lie under oath.

As far as the legal fees, WVU's lawyer said they would be minimal. they weren't working for free, but they weren't looking to make a killing either.