Pitino Aide’s Wife Allegedly Attempts Extortion

The details remain sketchy, but Rick Pitino put out a statement Saturday announcing the FBI is looking into an extortion attempt by Karen Sypher (pictured, via Card Chronicle), the estranged wife of Louisville equipment manager Tim Sypher. Said equipment manager has put out a statement in support of Pitino, calling his estranged wife’s allegations “bizarre” and noting that the accusations also hang over his own head.↵↵⇥“I am devastated by the bizarre allegations that my estranged wife is making against both Coach Pitino and myself. ... I intend to defend the allegations vigorously and will have no additional comment at this time. ”↵↵Of course, no one has reported what exactly the woman is alleging. Extortion attempts come with dirt, or perceived (or invented) dirt. Pay me or I’ll tell everyone about [blank]. The initial assumption might be that the [blank] might be something proletarianly human, like adultery. But when the husband considers himself in need of vigorous defense against the unknown allegations ... well, the program is going to be the next target of rumors.
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↵The accuser’s lawyer doesn’t seem to be interested in pressing any legal matters on Pitino, which would seem to bolster Pitino’s extortion cry. Further, it seems like at least some of the Louisville media knows exactly what Sypher alleged -- she cut an interview with a TV station which has not been aired but apparently led to Pitino’s pre-emptive call to the FBI. That no one is reporting it indicates the accusations are as fishy as Pitino and his equipment manager claim them to be ... or that the Louisville establishment lives in fear of upsetting The Rick.↵