Kentucky associate head coach Kenny Payne has reportedly been linked to the ongoing Nike EYBL scandal.
In federal court today, various texts and e-mails were unveiled that involve recruiting prospective athletes from the Nike EYBL.
According to Yahoo! Sports, “KP” was involved in a text message exchange with Nike executive Carlton DeBose, who is the director of the Nike EYBL.
Here are more details:
He (DeBose) names the coaches using first names and nicknames that couldn’t immediately be identified by Yahoo Sports. DeBose declares the business is “stressful” because he has “to do it cleanly and with a process. I’m good but it’s enough to where Lynn and Nico don’t want to know the intimate details to cover their asses.”
Nike’s global vice president for sports marketing and basketball is Lynn Merritt, who has been a longtime fixture at the company.
“So it’s a risk,” DeBose wrote, “but my everyday job is a damn risk so I’m used to it now.”
“Watch your back, bro,” KP wrote back.
In a statement obtained by the Courier-Journal, UK offered the following:
“We remain committed to compliance in all facets of our athletics department and will continue to work closely with the NCAA and the Southeastern Conference when necessary on any and all matters.”
Obviously, Payne has not been implicated in any wrongdoing, but it’s never a good thing to be mentioned in a scandal.
