Photo: Breaking Cardinal Rules: Basketball and the Escort Queen

According to an article Louisville students’ lawsuit against escort dismissed, a judge rightfully dismissed a student lawsuit against Katina Powell.

The four students sued madam Katina Powell, author of Breaking Cardinal Rules, for devaluing their education at Louisville. Ms. Powell filled the pipeline of escorts who provide special benefits to recruits, players, and even their parents and guardians. Many of these incentives were provided on the campus at the players’ basketball dormitory, Billy Minardi Hall . To add to the steaminess, Ms. Powell’s daughter was a part of the traveling troupe. 

More troubling is the mindset of the claimants. Their suit provides insight into the thinking of the Cardinals faithful. Instead of filing suit against their own basketball program for damaging their ‘education’ at Louisville, they placed the blame on the ‘vendor’. The deflection of accountability extends to the top of the house at Louisville.

Of course, the students’ concern should be focused at minimum on assistant coach Andre McGee who coordinated the entertainment. But, ultimately, institutional control resides with head coach Rick Pitino who has, of course, maintained he had no knowledge of the paid escorts and did nothing wrong — blaming former men’s basketball staffer Andre McGee for any wrongdoing.

In admitting their own culpability, the university imposed its own ban that prohibited the team from participating in the tournament this past season. They limited face-to-face visits with recruits but flaunted this self-imposed penalty with relentless facetime, telephone, and intermediary contact with prospects. They have also ‘stripped’ two scholarships – one this year and one next year. But, of course, with a wink-and-a-nod, they will move these players to full scholarship once they get past the penalty.

The university should have filed a lawsuit against the former assistant, Andre McGee, to discover the source of an estimated $10,000 paid to Ms. Powell and her employees. Of course, the University will not do this because the cash trail will inevitably lead to places that may damage the golden goose.

Forbes has named Louisville the most valuable college basketball program. Expect no additional penalties from the NCAA – the Louisville Cardinals are too big to fail. Besides, the University, like their students, may sue the NCAA for further diminishing the value of a Louisville education.