Rumors of Travis Ford Buyout Surface

Before you read this whole piece I want you to know that everything included below this line are strictly rumors. CRFF has not been able to confirm anything listed below.

Here we go!

Another year with no tournament wins.

This is the sixth year in a row that the Pokes have ended the postseason with zero NCAA tournament wins. The result of the unfortunate truth is that Travis Ford has been on the hot seat for what has seemed like an eternity. Cowboy fans, young and old, have called for his job for two seasons now but nothing has been done.

Why not?

The answer is simpler than one would expect: money.

CRFF contributor, Pokelahoma, sat down with a lawyer from Texas and they talked about Ford's contract and the nitty-gritty details of it. In that interview it was determined that if Oklahoma State decided to part ways with Ford then they would owe him approximately $12 million. It's not really that simple and Pokelahoma's piece does a really good job of explaining the complicated details but for simplicity's sake we will act like the university would owe Ford $12 million if they fired him.

Where the hell does someone come up with $12 million...?

The following comes from the Orange Factor.

Apparently a wealthy man in Edmond, Oklahoma may have a solution to the Travis Ford dilemma.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I&#39;m being told from 3 sources that an unnamed OSU donor from Edmond has agreed to cover 4 million of Travis Fords Contract buyout (cont)</p>&mdash; The Orange Factor (@OrangeFactor) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrangeFactor/status/581281260825264128">March 27, 2015</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I&#39;m being told that the chances are very strong that Ford will in fact be bought out, look for the news to break approximately April 10th</p>&mdash; The Orange Factor (@OrangeFactor) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrangeFactor/status/581281415385329664">March 27, 2015</a></blockquote>

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A couple of questions/observations.

1. Wait, what? Boone Pickens doesn't live in Edmond. Huh? This isn't Boone?
2. Edmond, Oklahoma - the donor is certainly an OSU graduate who attends basketball games frequently. Maybe he/she is sick of driving 45 minutes to see the team lose.
3. $4 million - is that enough money? The buyout is closer to $12 million. Are other donors willing to step up and match the $4 million to get this done?
4. Holder - is AD, Mike Holder, willing to take the donations to buyout Ford which would result in him admitting that he signed Ford to an awful deal?
5. Would Boone be involved in the deal at all?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The Orange Factor has been notified that one OSU &quot;Primary Donor&quot; has coordinated other high level donors to contribute towards Fords buyout</p>&mdash; The Orange Factor (@OrangeFactor) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrangeFactor/status/581552828675723265">March 27, 2015</a></blockquote>

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Ok - that answers one question.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The Factor was made aware that this team of Donors does NOT involve Boone Pickens.</p>&mdash; The Orange Factor (@OrangeFactor) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrangeFactor/status/581555701828325376">March 27, 2015</a></blockquote>

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That answers another question. But it would be awfully tough to put that kind of money up without Boone.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>They want assurance that if his group puts up 4 million that Holder will Leave no stone unturned, regardless of experience or price tag.</p>&mdash; The Orange Factor (@OrangeFactor) <a href="https://twitter.com/OrangeFactor/status/581562926173011968">March 27, 2015</a></blockquote>

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Another question answered.

So that's what has surfaced so far and it certainly seems possible that things are moving. It's going to be interesting to see how this all develops.

If it does happen then expect to see this all over my twitter:

Seriously though, CRFF will have any updates that come along.

If Ford is canned then who do you want as the next men's basketball coach? Tell us in the comments!