http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3394832
 

Former West Virginia football coach Rich Rodriguez says West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin and three members of the university's board of governors pressured him into signing a new contract before the start of the 2007 season, even though it had a $4 million buyout clause he didn't want. 

 
The governor came in with a loaded gun and guaranteed RR that either his signature or his brains would be on the contract
 

 WVU says Rodriguez had a sports agent, lawyer and financial adviser throughout the process and knew what he was signing. Rodriguez, however, contends he expected Garrison to keep a promise to reduce or eliminate the buyout -- a pledge Garrison denies making.

 
What kind of moron did RR have working for him
Phil Callihan
Editor-in-Chief
UMGoBlue.COM

ORIGINAL: Philc

 WVU says Rodriguez had a sports agent, lawyer and financial adviser throughout the process and knew what he was signing. Rodriguez, however, contends he expected Garrison to keep a promise to reduce or eliminate the buyout -- a pledge Garrison denies making.

What kind of moron did RR have working for him

 
You are dead balls on here.  How did he NOT know.
 

Rodriguez also acknowledged he has agreed to a $4 million damages clause at Michigan.

 
Here is what gets me....he has agreed to a $4M buyout with Michigan and acknowledges as much.  He obviously understands there are buyouts with these contacts.  How did he NOT KNOW that he had a $4M buyout with WVU.
 
Go Blue!!
 
 
In order to have a winner, the team must have a feeling of unity; every player must put the team first-ahead of personal glory.

The real question is, since everyone on the planet knew about his buyout clause with WVU, what was the conversation with Martin?  I would think Martin had to ask something like, "Um, Rich.  So, what do you plan on doing about the 4M with WVU?"  Did RR tell him don't worry about?  "I have marked down losses for Wisconsin, Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State. And then there could be others such as Illinois".-BigHouseFootball March 08

The elephant in the room gentleman is this:

Either the U of M said "you'll take care of the 4 million dollar buyout?" and Rodriguez said "Sure thing, not going to be a problem"... in which case all of this is very eyebrow raising...

OR, U of M talked about details of how to handle the 4 million dollar buyout and some sort of setup for it was going to be dealt with...

I find it incredibly hard to believe that this wasn't one of the TOP issues that would've been discussed in bringing him on board.
http://theonlygamethatmatters.blogspot.com/

What the mind can conceive, the mind can achieve; and those who stay will be Champions.
GO BLUE!

ORIGINAL: scmgoblue
I find it incredibly hard to believe that this wasn't one of the TOP issues that would've been discussed in bringing him on board.

 
I also find it very hard to believe that the 4 million dollar buyout wasn't a top issue of discussion when bringing Coach Rodriguez to Michigan.  Especially considering the fact that Michigan made Rodriguez agree to their own 4 million dollar buyout.
 
I'm of the opionion that there is a lot more to this than is being let on.  Otherwise, why wouldn't Rodriguez just let the Michigan Boosters pay the buyout and move on?  Obviously, Rodriguez is a very prideful man and he feels that WVU isn't entitled to all of the buyout because they didn't fulfill many of the obligations that were promissed to Coach Rodriguez and his staff.  I really don't see what is so wrong about Coach Rodriguez fighting for what he believes to be the truth?!
 
I mean, what's the worst case scenario?  The courts find in favor of WVU and Coach Rodriguez is forced to pay the 4 million dollar buyout.  While I don't believe that Rodriguez will get off scot free, I do believe it is worth fighting having to pay the entire 4 million dollars when you feel you've been wronged as is obviously the case here.

First and foremost, Michigan has been through this with WVU in the past (anyone remember Beilein), so there is no way Martin and Michigan did not talk about the subject with R-Rod.
 
I moved from Arizona to Chicago last year.  I can't believe it has already been over a year.  Wholly smokes, okay, I digress....

Anyhow, when I was talking with my new potential employer, one of the first things I asked was, "if I decide to take this new job and move my family across the country, how are you going to help me pay for it?  I am giving up this job, my wife is giving up her job and our house will still be on the market in AZ."  And trust me, we were not talking about $4M.  They asked me what I needed to help move and set up my family.  I gave them a number and the deal was done.

There is no possible way that R-Rod AND his advisors did not know there was a buyout.  The only thing R-Rod can claim, IMO, is that the school made promises to him that they did not keep, so therefore the buyout is null and void.  However, good luck proving that one.

Go Blue!!
In order to have a winner, the team must have a feeling of unity; every player must put the team first-ahead of personal glory.

I also truly think that there is more to this whole RR/WVU thing.  I remember RR saying multiple times that there is so much more to this story and their relationship that he couldn't talk about right now...but could later.  I have to imagine there is something big going on here and there is only a matter of time until we find out.  I have a feeling that RR is going to drop a bomb (not literally) on WVU very soon.

Is he just merely "whining"? That's an easy knee-jerk reaction from the outside, but when you consider that fact that the WV governor is absolutely obsessed with WVU athletics, particularly football, and also the backing of a prominent donor Ken Kendrick who at one point stated his willingness to testify for RR unless he has subsiquently withdrawn, it's not all that far-fetched to believe that some strong-arming went on. Especially considering their love-fest for RR before he left in the fanbase and also the e-mail conversations that leaked to the media seem to indicate some weird stuff going on between parties (RR, WVU AD, WVU President and Governor).


 
Those who can do, do; those who can't, go into journalism.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Former West Virginia and current Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez refused to leave a tip at an off-campus restaurant late Tuesday, according to reports.
 
Rodriguez had Strength Coach Mike Barwis with him as he placed the order for a Southwestern Burger at a local Chili's, and knew that he had a choice of any two sides from the listed menu.  Rodriguez, however, contends that the waitress promised to reduce or eliminate the extra charge for fully loading his baked potato -- a pledge the waitress denies making.
 
More on this story as it develops.

ORIGINAL: Forced to Punt

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Former West Virginia and current Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez refused to leave a tip at an off-campus restaurant late Tuesday, according to reports.

Rodriguez had Strength Coach Mike Barwis with him as he placed the order for a Southwestern Burger at a local Chili's, and knew that he had a choice of any two sides from the listed menu.  Rodriguez, however, contends that the waitress promised to reduce or eliminate the extra charge for fully loading his baked potato -- a pledge the waitress denies making.

More on this story as it develops.

This would only make sense if he paid less than what was stated on the bill... tipping of course is always optional .
http://theonlygamethatmatters.blogspot.com/

What the mind can conceive, the mind can achieve; and those who stay will be Champions.
GO BLUE!

Where is the discussion coming from about whether or not RRod knew there was a buyout in the contract? RRod has never disputed that. The question has been about unwritten promises by the WVA President that he would not hold RRod to the buyout stipulation AND whether RRod was strong armed into signing the contract. Go Blue!
Jeff

I'm not a lawyer but if somebody told me they expected to get something not specified in a contract I'd tell them that they're a moron.
 
RR had a team of "advisers" to help him navigate through this process he should blame them or himself.
 
The more pressure they put on him to sign without the adjustments he wanted the more he should have been suspicious.
 
Used care salesman all over the midwest salivate at the thought of meeting RR.  A little pressure and he'll cave... 
 
 
Phil Callihan
Editor-in-Chief
UMGoBlue.COM

ORIGINAL: MichiganFanInOhio




I'm of the opionion that there is a lot more to this than is being let on.  Otherwise, why wouldn't Rodriguez just let the Michigan Boosters pay the buyout and move on?  Obviously, Rodriguez is a very prideful man and he feels that WVU isn't entitled to all of the buyout because they didn't fulfill many of the obligations that were promissed to Coach Rodriguez and his staff.  I really don't see what is so wrong about Coach Rodriguez fighting for what he believes to be the truth?!

I mean, what's the worst case scenario?  The courts find in favor of WVU and Coach Rodriguez is forced to pay the 4 million dollar buyout.  While I don't believe that Rodriguez will get off scot free, I do believe it is worth fighting having to pay the entire 4 million dollars when you feel you've been wronged as is obviously the case here.

I totally agree but I think it will reach a point where UM must say to RR that this is affecting the football season and it is TIME to put this issue behind us one way or another.  I'm still a large fan of RR and until proven otherwise, I think he is a very moral guy who stands on his principles.
http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/helmet/mhelmetl.jpg

http://www.mlive.com/wolverines/football/index.ssf/2008/05/rodriguez_gives_his_side_of_bu.html
 

Flaherty also wanted to know if there was a plan for Michigan, or someone acting on the school's behalf, to pay the $4 million. He asked the coach several questions related to topic, but Rodriguez's lawyer, Marvin Robon, instructed his client not to answer. 

 
I sure want to know the answer to that one.
Phil Callihan
Editor-in-Chief
UMGoBlue.COM

ORIGINAL: Philc

I'm not a lawyer but if somebody told me they expected to get something not specified in a contract I'd tell them that they're a moron.

RR had a team of "advisers" to help him navigate through this process he should blame them or himself.

The more pressure they put on him to sign without the adjustments he wanted the more he should have been suspicious.

Used care salesman all over the midwest salivate at the thought of meeting RR.  A little pressure and he'll cave... 

While I agree with that mentality from a defensive, personal perspective there is still some significant weight merited in the court of law based on verbal commitments. How relevant that will be in a court of law in this instance remains to be seen, but having worked in a business environment where were had to accomplish a lot of high dollar project work based on "word of mouth" commitments that superceded the scope of the contractual project...I can see where RR may have a much stronger case than people are anticipating. Those who can do, do; those who can't, go into journalism.

ORIGINAL: Philc

I'm not a lawyer but if somebody told me they expected to get something not specified in a contract I'd tell them that they're a moron.

RR had a team of "advisers" to help him navigate through this process he should blame them or himself.

The more pressure they put on him to sign without the adjustments he wanted the more he should have been suspicious.

Used care salesman all over the midwest salivate at the thought of meeting RR.  A little pressure and he'll cave... 

 
Correct. There is case law directly on point in every state I know of and it goes as follows:
 
When an agreement of the parties is reduced to writing; AND
 
the agreement contains an integration clause that says "what is on this contract spells out all of the terms of the agreement and the parties are only relying upon these written terms to form the agreement," AND
 
you are represented by counsel; AND
 
you are an educated person;
 
Under that scenario you cannot argue (as a matter of law) "yea, I know what was in the contract but I was relying upon what you told me BEFORE the contract was presented to me." RRod's contract did have an integration or merger clause.
 
Moreover, you cannot contradict the written terms of a contract by saying the other side told you exactly the opposite thing before you signed the contract, especially when the contract specifically states that the written document itself is all that there is. If you could, written contracts would be worthless.
 
It may appear I have my Scarlet covered glasses on when I say this is an absolutely idiotic legal argument for RR or his attorneys to even make. Perhaps he just wants to put up a defense so that he can bargain but he cannot win on this argument. Period.

But his argument isn't that they are contradicting the contract. It's that they agreed to things verbally that were outside the scope of the contract. And if they gave verbal promises that they would address things as leverage to sign that contract for the time being you might be surprised how strong of a case he can make...especially with a high powered WVU donor willing to testify to that fact. Those who can do, do; those who can't, go into journalism.

Thanks for the clarification B85, here's my question.  Lets say this goes all the way to court, what chance does he possibly have of this being reduced?  Furthermore, how long does that kind of process take?

I'm so sick and tired of dealing with this crap, it's hard not to choose sides here, but uh... get the stupid deal done with and move on. http://theonlygamethatmatters.blogspot.com/

What the mind can conceive, the mind can achieve; and those who stay will be Champions.
GO BLUE!

Yeah, it is hard to choose side based on the facts. I used to be staunchly in the "that was stupid camp", but the more I read about the internal e-mails that were released and read some bloggers who have done quite a bit of reading on it...seems like there could be more to it.

If this drags into the season it's going to become a distraction for the players.
Those who can do, do; those who can't, go into journalism.

I have a question.  Will he really get a fair trial in WVA? http://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/helmet/mhelmetl.jpg