Adidas Says Rick Pitino Aware Of, 'Supported' Plan to Pay Louisville Recruits

Adidas has requested that a federal judge dismiss Rick Pitino's lawsuit against the company, alleging that there is evidence to suggest the former Louisville head coach was "both aware and supported the scheme" of paying players to attend the university, according to Jason Riley of WDRB.com.

Per Riley's report: "The evidence cited by Adidas against Pitino from the complaint includes allegations that the former coach was asked to call an Adidas executive, James Gatto, to get more funding for a recruit. And the company points out that Pitino allegedly called Gatto three times before the recruit announced his commitment."

As a part of their motion for dismissal, however, Adidas noted that the scandal and any NCAA violations weren't out of the ordinary for Louisville, as the school was recently sanctioned by the NCAA following an investigation into "sex acts performed for underage basketball recruits." Adidas also claimed that Pitino filed his lawsuit in the incorrect jurisdiction.

Pitino alleged in his lawsuit that the continued FBI investigation into Adidas for funneling money to prospective Louisville players and their families caused him damages. He said he took no part in the scheme and had Adidas never bribed a recruit's family, he wouldn't have been fired. 

The lawsuit claimed Pitino has also been "vilified, ridiculed, and criticized in the local and national media, on social media, and in public and private communications." 

The FBI has been investigating a number of former Adidas employees, college basketball assistant coaches and other parties for a "pay to play" scheme in an effort to push certain recruits to certain programs, namely ones that had partnerships with the apparel company.

Auburn's Chuck Person, Oklahoma State's Lamont Evans, Arizona's Emanuel Richardson and USC's Tony Bland have already been arrested and charged with fraud and corruption in the investigation.