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Kent State University involved in another troubling lawsuit
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it's been a while since anyone has commented on this topic, but it's still an ongoing issue with a lot of things that have happened...
Once Geno Ohio Supreme Court appeal, Kent State went after Bradley for the component of the judgement that Dr. Glasser had contractually agreed to pay in Geno's buyout.
This was $400,000 - and now the Ohio courts have ruled Bradley better pay up
"absent security from Bradley, in an amount not less than $400,000.00,
they are contractually obligated to contribute to Geno Ford's debt to Kent State."
Bradley's lawyers filed appeals to stall a little longer
but the courts ruled these appeals "moot" including all the further appeals
now Bradley is declining to pay and wants the matter to go to trial - still hoping to get a favorable ruling at trial in December
so the trial to determine the degree of Bradley's liability will go on in December 2016 with Geno Ford also subpoenaed
sadly, the sentiments that the previous administration voiced about Kent State not pursuing full damages against Bradley has not kept BU out of all the legal entanglements in the Ohio courts and the obligation for at least $400K. This one's on the former admin.Comment
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If anyone knows if Bradley stands a chance in this trial it would be President Roberts. I feel good about our chances if he has anything to do with Bradley's decision to contest this and send it to trial.The True Gentleman is the man whose conduct proceeds from good will and an acute sense of propriety, and whose self-control is equal to all emergencies... - John Walter WaylandComment
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Bradley filed a couple more briefs yesterday attempting to have their legal obligation to pay Geno Ford's debts thrown out and are even trying to overturn the summary judgement against Bradley in the contract interference claim by Kent State, and even trying to recover their court costs.
Let's hope we are more successful this time.
edit...no wonder people laugh at our court system & lawyers....it was spring of 2011 when Geno left Kent State, so we're 5 1/2 years into this lawsuit process
...and I'm sure it's consumed at least half a million dollars in legal expenses, travel costs, lawyer and & court fees, etc...
the parties will all be long dead by the time anything gets decided!Last edited by tornado; 09-21-2016, 01:42 PM.Comment
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This is interesting...regarding the Geno Ford lawsuit, pertaining Geno being interviewed by Bradley...
LINK
Bradley is arguing that they are NOT responsible for any damages incurred by Geno leaving Kent State,
and their main argument at this time is an interview from March 27, 2011 in which ...
"Kent State University's ... Athletic Department spokesman Alan Ashby said
the university would never hinder the coach's ability to look at another
opportunity, and as has been it's policy when schools have asked to meet
with one of it's coaches, KSU has granted permission for Ford to interview."
also the Kent State spokesman Alan Ashby...confirmed on Saturday the
university has granted permission for Ford to interview at another school.
Ford is believed to be in the radar of ... Bradley University of the Missouri
Valley Conference and Fresno State...."
"The (Portage County, OH) Record-Courier confirmed Ford was out of town for a meeting with a
representative of another program on Friday and Saturday."
(which, of course, was Bradley University - then THE NEXT DAY, he was signed by Bradley)
So the people at Kent State not only knew Geno Ford had been contacted by Bradley, but they also knew he was going there for an interview and they publicly stated that they had given Geno permission to do so and even went one step further saying that they always would do so and not hinder his opportunity to seek other positions!!
This may be an important piece of evidence that Bradley's current lawyers have come up with that apparently the former ones, and Geno's lawyers didn't know about and never submitted into evidence.
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Kent State lawyers file a brief- claiming Bradley's actions are "without merit and frivolous"
in the end this is a matter in the Ohio courts that has sided all along, every single step of the way and on every issue and every appeal with the Ohio public institution (Kent State) ...
thus I fully expect the state will protect their own interests again and side with Kent State.Comment
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in a new motion Kent State is now claiming someone previously representing BU has..
"entered into negotiations with Gene A. Ford .. to delay, hinder, and defraud Kent State...
Kent State has an unsatisfied judgement of $1,200,000.."
then it goes on to claim ...
"Kent State has reason to believe that Bradley University paid the costs of (Ford's) appeals.."
if true, it looks like even more bad judgement by the former administration ...can you say fallout...Comment
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interesting twist..
this case includes Kent State going after Bradley for $1,600,000 to cover all their legal costs as well...but now has been transferred to another judge.
But Bradley has found that Kent State's "Honor Roll of Donors" shows that this new judge is a big time supporter and donor to Kent State!
What an incredible conflict of interests!!
Bradley has thus filed to have this new judge disqualified due to this conflict.Comment
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The judge has ruled, he is NOT stepping down despite the conflict of interests..
here is his statement
"The Judge states ...that he and his wife have donated to the university's
athletic program and have also attended Kent State games for many years.
The Judge does not believe, however, that any of those facts will affect his
ability to fairly and impartially preside.."
...the trial will proceedComment
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Kent State is pursuing it's lawsuit against Bradley but the jury trial is pushed back to July 17, 2017
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lol
by the time this finishes Bradley will have a Valley title and an NCAA sweet 16 appearance.Comment
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latest deposition discloses some details of Geno Ford's contract with Bradley
..it is now a matter of public record in this lawsuit that is still dragging on...
-Geno was given a 2 year extension after his 2nd season
-Bradley was contractually obligated to pay up to $400,000 to Kent State for Geno's buyout
-upon discharge from Bradley - Geno was paid an additional $49,167 (incentive pay for student academic performance) plus the amount remaining on his contract thru 2018 via these terms:
"on termination of his employment without cause, one half of the annual guaranteed base salary for the remainder of the term of the contract - paid in monthly installments"
-Bradley also paid attorney fees FOR GENO FORD as well as their own in the prior lawsuits (amount stated as $110,480)
-then Geno's actual contract is included in this link - $700,000 annual base pay plus many various incentives & bonuses from $10,000 for an NIT appearance to $75,000 for a Final Four appearance and $100,000 for a National Championship.
Plus other benefits, insurance, 12 free season tickets, full tuition for his wife & kids, etc...
...signed by Joanne Glasser & Michael Cross on March 26, 2011 and also by Geno Ford on March 26, 2011
-total amount of compensation Bradley paid to Geno thru Dec. 2016 - $3,422,645
-Bradley still owes him $486,667
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That makes the cost about 85k per win. Ouch.houstonbraveComment
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Sick
This make me ill. Lousy performance, huge pay. The worst management of resources far and wide. Unbelievable!!!!!!Comment
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Since GF is now working as assistant at Stony Brook - it is likely that under the terms, Bradley recoups what he earns but - that wouldn't be much -
assistants at lower midmajors are generally paid $50-80K
..and the lawsuit does keep dragging on - if Geno's legal costs were over $110K, then you know Bradley's would likely already be in the $200K+ range.
Absolutely NONE of the legal costs and nightmares were necessary -
If only Joanne & Cross has followed well-established, normal and customary procedures, all of which were well known in the industry and even well known to the average Joe on the street - that you have to get permission before you can talk to someone else's coach and have to read contracts and get permission to hire someone else's coach.
If only Glasser & Cross had not been so astoundingly stupid and negligent, then a bare minimum of $700-$800,000 ($400K for the guarantee to pay his buyout, and at least $300K in legal costs) of the University's money and another $800,000 (Geno's share of the buyout penalty which would have been waived had he simply had permission to leave) of Geno's money would not have gone down the drain.
Wow - and this is just part of the stupidity & negligence under JG & MC - it doesn't even begin to cover the horrible mismanagement of the the athletic programs and the nuclear destruction of the basketball program, donor base and fan base - back to the stone age.Comment
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