St. John’s, ex-coach Mike Anderson settle financial dispute after firing
St. John’s and former coach Mike Anderson have come to an agreement to settle their financial dispute, according to a statement released by both sides.
nypost.com
By Zach Braziller
St. John’s and former coach Mike Anderson have come to an agreement to settle their financial dispute, according to a statement released by both sides.
“The parties have amicably resolved their dispute,” the statement read. “They wish each other nothing but the best in their future endeavors.”
Anderson was fired after four seasons without an NCAA Tournament bid in March of 2023, and replaced by Rick Pitino.
The school initially terminated him “with cause,” which would have allowed it not to pay him the money left on his contract.
St. John’s said in Anderson’s termination letter that the then-63-year-old failed “to create and support an environment that strongly encourages student-athletes who are in the men’s basketball program to meet all university academic requirements.”
The school also said it was firing Anderson for “failure to perform your duties and responsibilities in a manner that reflected positively on St. John’s University … in actions [that] brought serious discredit” to the university, along with a “failure to appropriately supervise and communicate with your assistant coaches.”
Anderson’s attorney, John Singer of Singer Deutsch, filed a “notice of arbitration” seeking the $11.4 million remaining on his contract, plus $34.2 million in “punitive” damages.
Anderson claimed in the suit that St. John’s was already having serious talks with Pitino when he was fired.
But now both parties have come to an agreement and have decided to move on.
The exact financial details are unknown at the moment.
Singer declined any further comment when reached by The Post.
Asked if Anderson received the $11.4 million he was owed by St. John’s, Singer said the agreement was confidential.
