Pitino maintained his innocence throughout that scandal, which included allegations that Adidas representatives funneled $100,000 to the family of a Louisville recruit. In November of 2022, Pitino was exonerated by the Independent Accountability Resolution Process (IARP).

Long-time rivals Rick Pitino and John Calipari could face each other in the NCAA Tournament again if St. John's and Arkansas each reach the second round.

Except now, paying players is completely legal under NIL rules, and Pitino even says some of the stars of his current St. John’s team -- Zuby Ejiofor and Big East Tournament MOP RJ Luis -- are “under-paid” in today’s NIL market.