Jim Calhoun, current University of Connecticut Men’s basketball coach, told a journalist that he needed to “shut up” and surprisingly was not the one wrong. Ken Krayeske, a freelance reporter in the state of Connecticut, recently got into a verbal argument with Calhoun regarding the current economic situation in the state of Connecticut. Calhoun told members of the press that he would “not [give] a dime back” of his 1.6 million dollar contract.
Post game press conferences are designed to talk about the game that just transpired and a look ahead at the next game or the rest of the season. These press conferences are used to talk basketball and not politics. Krayeske clearly had his own agenda. Because UConn is one of the top teams in the country, ESPN and other national media outlets were there to cover this press conference. Krayeske used this idea to get his own name in the national news. It is being reported that Krayeske was only given a photo pass which is used to only take pictures, not ask questions. Instead he opened his big mouth because he knew it would invoke a reaction out of Calhoun.
After opening the can of worms, Krayeske continued with his agenda. First, he failed to acknowledge that Calhoun actually makes more money that his 1.6 million dollar contract in side deals (would have supported his own agenda).
Krayeske also failed to look at the bigger picture that is intercollegiate athletics. UConn basketball makes almost 12 million dollars a year according to Calhoun. The basketball team’s revenue helps support other athletic programs within the university. On top of that, Calhoun isnt even in the top 5 of the highest paid NCAA men’s basketball coaches. If Krayeske wanted to question the system, I have no problem with that. As an American citizen, he has every right to question the system but there are better ways to do that. He could have asked board members from the NCAA if they would consider putting caps on salary to coaches. He could have talked to Coach Calhoun in a private environment or spoke to the athletic department that gave Calhoun the contract. It is ridiculous to ask a coach on national television to give money back after he signed a contract.
When Krayeske told Calhoun that he was doing what the other journalists would not do, he was right. The other journalists in the room would not ask a loaded question without doing the research. The other journalists in the room would not want to be responsible for irresponsible reporting. The other journalists would not cause a scene in order to get get his name out. The other journalists in the room would not carry a major agenda. Its people like this that give journalists a bad name. So Ken Krayeske please take the advice from Coach Calhoun. Shut up.
