LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The University of Louisville men’s basketball program has been fined $5,000 and faces two years of probation and some minor recruiting restrictions for violations stemming from a pay-for-play scandal involving Adidas and Brian Bowen, the IARP announced Thursday.

The fallout from the NCAA recruiting violations notably include no postseason ban.

What You Need To Know

  • The IARP handed down minor punishments for Louisville for NCAA violations stemming from the Adidas recruiting scandal

  • Louisville dodged a postseason ban from the case and faces a $5,000 fine

  • Adidas, acting as a representative of Louisville, made a $100,000 impermissible recruiting offer to the family of Bowen

  • Former coaches Chris Mack and Rick Pitino avoided punishment entirely

The Independent Accountability Resolution Process (IARP) also declined to penalize former Cardinals coach Rick Pitino, whom the NCAA initially cited for failure to promote an atmosphere of compliance. Chris Mack, Pitino's successor who was fired in January, also was not penalized for additional allegations announced last year by the NCAA.

Former Louisville assistant coaches Kenny Johnson and Jordan Fair were given two-year show-causes, which prohibit them from recruiting, the IARP said. Former coaches Chris Mack and Rick Pitino avoided targeted punishment entirely.

The IARP, created to examine complex cases, announced the decision Thursday. It also restricted Louisville's recruiting visits for this academic year and issued a public reprimand.

The NCAA in May 2020 accused Louisville of committing a Level I violation for an improper recruiting offer and several Level II violations. Pitino was accused of failing to promote an atmosphere of compliance.

It followed a federal investigation of corruption in college basketball announced in September 2017. The school acknowledged it was the subject of allegations related to the recruitment of Brian Bowen II.

The IARP ruled on two cases prior to Louisville’s — Memphis and Noth Carolina State — and in both instances, the programs got off with what most would deem “light punishment.” The ruling body has also repeatedly stated that they do not “want to hurt or punish the student-athletes who are currently competing.”

The most serious charge, the Level I charge, alleges that the sports apparel giant Adidas, while acting as a representative of Louisville, made a $100,000 impermissible recruiting offer to the family of Bowen for him to play at UofL.

The IARP leveled their first charges when the FBI investigation and Bowen recruitment scandal became public knowledge. Additional charges were later added under former head coach Chris Mack for extortion and allowing managers and graduate assistants to practice with players.

There is no appeal allowed with the IARP, so Thursday’s decision on Louisville’s case is final. Thursday's decision by the IARP put the latest disciplinary matter to rest for a school that has endured several scandals since 2015.

Louisville’s 2013 NCAA championship title was vacated in 2017 because of a separate stripper and sex-related scandal involving former players, former director of basketball operations Andre McGee and former head coach Rick Pitino.

Here is the IARP's full decision. 

 

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