Also, Chicos.. here's another example of how things are messed up by the masses... UCLA / Howland.. it also highlights how many sports "stories" are just writers regurgitating claims that haven't been fact checked in the slightest.
LNH said "
It’s been reported multiple times over the past week that Howland’s contract runs through 2015 and that a buyout of his contract would cost the school $2.3 million. Both of these are claims are inaccurate.
Ben Howland is under contract as head coach for UCLA through the 2016-17 season. If the agreement was terminated in the next week and a half, the buyout costs for the school would be $3.2 million. That amount could be reduced in the future depending on the future employment of Howland."
LA Times - Plaschke "There is talk that the athletic department, for both basketball and business reasons, wants this season to be Howland's last. There is word that a $2.3-million buyout is already in place. There is a feeling that only a Sweet 16 appearance could save his job, and even that might not be enough."
LA Times - Foster - "Howland's contract, which has two years remaining, includes a $2.3-million buyout."
I advised Foster in earlier days that his information was off re: Howland's contract, but he apparently didn't care for my assistance and continued talking about 2015 and a $2.3 million buyout. After the firing and explanation by UCLA's AD, he used correct details in subsequent stories.
Mind you, Foster is also the source of much regurgitation of the Alford outrage. He called the buyout "unusually huge", which undoubtedly got the attention of the many regurgitaters out there.
Sports Illustrated - Thamel; regurgitation - "Off the floor, the LA Times reported that UCLA coach Ben Howland could soon be fired. "There is a feeling that only a Sweet 16 appearance could save his job, and even that might not be enough," Times columnist Bill Plaschke reported. He added that the money for Howland's $2.3 million buyout is "already in place.""
Associated Press, pre-firing -"He has two years left on his contract that includes a $2.3 million buyout." [Two years? Nope. $2.3MM? Nope]
Associated Press, post-firing - "Howland was under contract until 2017 with a buyout of $2.3 million. Guerrero said any payout is subject to reduction if Howland gets another job." [They got the 2017 right, at least!]
NBC Los Angeles "Howland was under contract until 2017 with a buyout of $2.3 million. His exit leaves both Pac-12 schools in Los Angeles with men's basketball coaching vacancies."-
Zags Blog - regurgitation - "Some reports out of Los Angeles indicate that Howland’s fate has already been sealed, and that the school has already completed his $2.3 million buyout."
Star Telegram - "Howland has a buyout of $2.3 million, and if you read a recent report in the Los Angeles Times, the powerful people in Westwood are pooling their money to make him go away if this tourney is a dud."
Sporting News - "Howland has a 233-107 record in 10 years at UCLA, a .685 winning percentage. He has two years remaining on his contract with a $2.3-million buyout."
CBS Sports - Goodman - "The decision will cost UCLA $3.5 million to buy Howland out of the final five years of his deal. " [Nice! Most people were low on the years and low on the money. Goodman was also wrong on both, but he went too high on 'em!!]
...on and on. Not to mention LNH said prior to Howland's firing that it's very unlikely that he'd work in 2013-14 due to the provisions in the contract. Lots of people missed that and thus his name was mentioned some places where it made zero sense.
Again, errors and bad information are EVERYWHERE in traditional media. Indiana's "massive" amortizing $16MM buyout for Crean is just one of many examples, as is the UCLA / Howland stuff above.
