Audio & Video on Demand
 
WEEI » Audio & Video On Demand » Ken Krayeske

Ken Krayeske

Get Adobe Flash Player to see this content.

Tue, 24 Feb 2009

Ken Krayeske, the man who asked Jim Calhoun about his 1.6 million salary this past weekend during a UConn Men's Basketball post game press conference, joins the Big Show to defend himself.

Automatically Generated Transcript (may not be 100% accurate)

" Anything brilliant. -- have a pretty tight and it. We get -- on Wednesday night. I'm sorry but I didn't I -- when. You didn't what's yeah we'll do what's agent. You know listen to him -- okay. My best advice you shut up and you're welcome -- there. He knows what Miller is shut up again if you want talking outside and won't have taught you talk about. We please. I'm quite frankly we're bringing equality to the university not induced state spots we made probably -- to -- the university. That's something passing accuracy. Get some facts take a backseat don't follow salaries are other things. Get some fast and go back seat wait for all the twelve million dollars to be your birth certificate -- state run. Next question."

" They go Jim Calhoun gone up a couple nights ago -- down that stores Connecticut. And the gentleman that ask the question his name is Kim Kristy that I pronounce that correctly -- Yet it's -- thanked her and and you you've been listening obviously you actually am in Hartford and it hurt but friend who -- always friends always -- yeah and that -- throughout the players like -- I Sully asked a couple of questions your first ball I just to be like you're the blogger is that correct. Yeah well."

" At the university Connecticut have a professional journalist who went to Syracuse University graduated from new outscored -- and -- global communications with a degree in magazine journalism."

" And Obama couldn't get into northeastern the -- so. Did you well it if it do you cover sports at all."

" I yeah I have over the past I cut my teeth as a cub reporter back in. Late eighties and early nineties cover I will sport."

" Okay -- you -- have you been covering the UConn basketball team this year."

" This is the first time but I can't UConn football you know what I robot to the International Bowl in Toronto in covered it."

" It was -- residents life I -- did you notice. And other Brazilian and you satisfying side."

" Why we use there. At that at that game the other night why were you with the Prescott."

" Well because they have I have went a it it's called the forty year planned dot com and on my web page I have little topic are. -- that I've been writing about frequently about whether or not NCAA division one college athletics particularly basketball and football are truly feeder teams. And a minor league city NBA in."

" I -- you intended you're agenda was that you were going to go to that press conference that you were going to ask Jim Calhoun specifically about his -- it is in the lower right."

" have a question in mind when I went there I mean I I went there because I had run out of file photos. You know I write about whatever whenever something comes up like about. NCAA division one athletics for example there was an Ohio court decision last week. That said NCAA. Students. Athletes now have a right to counsel when and they're talking to teams like you know baseball players. Who has dedicated to suit at a -- an attorney when he was talking and so."

" But they weren't your whole -- you -- specifically going to deal with this topic of coaches' salaries. In its -- in a public university in which we are now dealing with -- economic crisis that had nothing that wasn't your agenda."

" No I went there and in the."

" There's a day -- take a picture -- just came up with the idea that there are just asking this question."

" Yeah real. Yeah I -- only thinking about these issues and ideas."

" Like is that strange -- today. You right at 1:15 PM on your website forty your play and you got your whole opinion you've got breakdowns on the numbers and everything else it sounds to me like the subject is something that. Is near and dear to your heart."

" It's technically that's -- yesterday and they said I've I've got a lot of out of I've I've been. I mean there's in 1989 when -- broke a hundred yard line it was still a junior high school and I read it. I mean this is been something -- my grandfather played."

" I got a hold on I'm not questioning it and if you don't like -- and I. Often hears what would it gets if that was your agenda. Going into it that you were going to write something could you. Clearly had either an opinion or you had an open mind that you want it to deal with the subject matter of these college coaches making billion dollar plus salaries. In times where were all facing you know with a huge economic crisis. I can understand what you're telling me that. Just after the game and -- a couple of pictures and then suddenly you decided out of nowhere that you have been asked this question that's also."

" I I and then I would ask the question I was originally toying with the idea. You know asking him a question. About disaster -- learn all the minor -- situation it's one that really just that I constantly think about. You know are we exploiting college students. When did we we. Use these days NCAA to put players in the NBA and it."

" Today it's very good topic. Well I can -- all I told me just ask you this question that's a worthwhile topic what you just said something should probably explored in the future. But why would you. If you have spent this much time as a cub reporter and reporting other things. Why would you do it. In a setting after a game in a post game press conference were you know if you have covered these games for. The questions are about that particular day if you want to have an interview. With the coach to explore that very subject that you talked about that you deal with the sports information director whatever it's. Like they get -- get twenty minutes of coach -- it's like it explored this topic is not want to write about it in some setting a blog on on. The veterans some publication why wouldn't you approach it that way."

" I think if we talk about. What is appropriated the press conference then we're missing the point. Is the basketball coach."

" You attempted to get him did you ask him. To have a sit down with few before this Brusca."

" Jim Calhoun doesn't like me hasn't like me since I first started coverage wise that wins 98 was. In 1998 I -- for the Hartford advocate which is equivalent of the Boston. Next great. And I wrote a story and the misses the first year that he was not any. He won a national championship. And did back then I was using a photo past to also be a reporter because I was idiotic it we had a small budget. And I I have both sets of skills so I use them both and we're. So I wrote a couple of stories in one time I got him on the phone in 9899. Right around December January and I -- so coach what endorsement deal with Nike -- and he said. What's your salary idiotic it was an -- 28000 dollars a year now what endorsement deal with Nike where he would answer until we."

" did you feel that deprived that he is say. As a private citizen did did you believe that he had to give UA breakdown of what. He was making other certain figures the you can have seen. From the US educational office as you know which it did that there are figures that are listed there of what these individuals are making correct."

" Okay but my question is is Jim Calhoun."

" Realize. And."

" The taxpayer dollars to say that the university Connecticut."

" Is not taxpayer funded that the athletic department is something completely separate from that is it disingenuous at best."

" Where in in were saying. Okay. You know. We bonded out millions of dollars to help build temple pavilion and to help build. Brent their field where does football with my. So we bonded out millions of dollars for these things and they used these facilities I understand that they generate a lot of revenue but we have something in the Connecticut state at. -- coach for state employees that carpet celebrity exception. Very few people are able to utilize this celebrity exception that allows them to go ahead and take private endorsement deals."

" Why did they take why do you think they have that celebrity endorsed. You're correct because some good because you don't know don't can't because you can't blame them enough. On the public copper severe for what they do is they open it up and incidentally does it everywhere they opened up so that the coaches -- the opportunities. To. Expand on their salaries through other means other people can pay them. So that the taxpayers of Connecticut could you keep on making it a taxpayer issue. Don't have to foot the entire bill."

" So how much does coach Joe Paterno may depend -- anybody else."

" does not make an awful lot of money but -- is a very unique you know you wanted to look at Joe. You go tell me how many other John -- that's -- don't know even better than that it gives it all back to the go to the cup. Candidates -- anomalies but does this sort -- don't know I don't look old at the old he has a place in house that they give to zero dollars. Yes transportation given to him for zero dollars is basically his entire lifestyle around that is unique situation. And something -- how launched a predominantly most of the matters that's one that's what that's unique situation now we want to talk about schools that debt. And you want to look at Pete Carroll USC and it's four point five million dollars loss watched. All of those other perks."

" Okay so the university Connecticut is speaking at 35 million dollar budget budget deficit. They don't have a dean of students there can if they have to make -- 5% cut in the budget that means that we're going to lose the school of engineering and the schools."

" Don't you -- but let me ask you this don't you think -- a lot of what you can get it university right now is supplemented by the fact. That you have high profile. Basketball program okay you have a high profile woman's basketball program you have now you have -- generated a high profile. Football development on it right they're doing it they're doing it for a reason. It's not sold that everybody can hit it jolly is that we can watch football on Saturday yep it's so that they can raise more money for the university. To be able to do some of the things that you want them to do."

" How how does. Blake Harvard and Yale and Dartmouth and brown don't have I hope."

" No they have another -- and anonymous and hundred islands of dollars -- pro league differences but I won't but I look at beautiful."

" You're stressing athletics over academic."

" To help supplement. The academic Harvard Yale. Brown huge endowments UConn doesn't have that."

" But I'll tell you what UConn doesn't because they have a high profile. Sports men's basketball program. -- they attract back -- tomorrow night and when suddenly it wanted the alumni suddenly become very generous to the college because of that program."

" How many how many members of the men's basketball team actually become alumni. What is Jim -- graduation rate."

" That's a different topic of the top ten as well. Every -- restaurants and that's out there talking about it you're trying to get off topic that's accident that ended abruptly at the Bob -- attend every every college in the country we can deal with that that's a difference -- state employees generate the kind of revenue that Jim -- in the basketball program goes in the -- geno and the girls basketball program."

" I think that any happier this state treasurer when she in that. Literally billions in pension funds can makers there's twelve million dollars in -- I think that you know the people in the department of social services who."

" Yeah did you dance around quite honest I don't ask Barbara and bought into my just my guess is that the pension. Program that she's running right now okay and -- that hasn't done real well the last six months you may want to investigate that."

" But basic take a cut of at what she -- did this -- take a cut of a speeding ticket that he right."

" Yeah we can not I don't why I don't know about and are going to be the accident. Has not because we can get any state trooper. To give that amount of tickets per year that's -- individual does not have the talent."

" To go out and suddenly say. It. Thousand traffic tickets a year legend -- got running right now can only 2000 know what Jim Calhoun does."

" Is he's off high profile through ripped the terrific coach well respected in the NBA. Is great in going out in recruiting."

" Can bring you what very few guys can do in this country there -- a handful of those guys that at that level."

" Can generate that type of revenue so that that that the police officer or that you meter -- argument is terrible guy John."

" Jumping -- a second. I'm still curious about US being. This particular question after game and am curious if you have a go to UConn practices."

" that -- a lot student and I work a -- and I have a lot of other responsibilities I don't get paid to block."

" Michael felt that the medals -- and I got a job out of the Arizona Arizona in reason -- in defense of the reason I'm asking is is because you know we we do press conference reliving -- and in view in the though -- different coaches. And one of the things we find is that. -- a far better chance of of of getting an audience the coach of the Bruins then you do at 11 o'clock on Saturday night at the -- The answer."

" And I and -- Saturday afternoon there was no deadline pending there was it."

" Well I mean and -- double RBI and yeah I'm simply I'm simply saying. After game. Is it it it's it's it. Kind of baffles me a bit that kind of a question in a post game environment. Win if if you go there like -- Tuesday afternoon practice he's probably just the inning around and in no cameras. And -- wondering if the -- that you knew this was going to be on television helped inspire you at the one question --"

" got guys I I left the press conference thinking wow that was pretty awkward and pretty intense I went home I wrote my web post. And I didn't think anybody was -- part about it."

" I think I. You know can anybody after that well I'd like that you want to give us the credentials -- that you're not sound must different off street. And if that's the -- but -- must admit that but that last -- did you just made his his days with the number one team in the country until yesterday of course there was going to be -- he could beat you open up the -- the dialogue with. Syracuse new -- congrats school you're working for paperback in the late eighties and so you in you it was very important to you going in this interview. That you establish your media credentials and we all applauded what brought to the table. Now you're saying in the 20% -- 2009. That you walked out of high profile coach is post game press conference in which he -- a lot. Ignorant of the fact that this thing. Wasn't going to catch on to become wildfire which of course it did it and I thought I disingenuous that you would see here now and and in. What else surprised. That this is on YouTube and NE SPN and we're talking about it now and so forth."

" Yeah I don't know if you all year that's been at -- you're seeing that you didn't sit and I wanted to open you up to the last I just think that most new host grads and I know bug new posts it's it's right up there."

" Right it was is that down trying to attack."

" It 2006. I went to a game and I asked Calhoun. So coach I did the same thing it was -- just UConn game at the end of January 2006. And I said to encroach you know I I ask the first question and the presser. Is that strategy that I have for years I do it the -- Ahmed oppressor with Barry McCaffrey that the former drug czar."

" get the first question. I like to Helen Thomas of the stores I don't I don't know that it but that. Reported school when the press conferences with strategy and when might -- call you all. I criteria set you know what you're going to not but on now -- confusion because you all you can't say -- strategy don't you ask you told us are told us at the beginning of this interview. That you really didn't have any idea of what you're going to do. In that pressures you refer to -- and now you're telling me that you always have a strategy when you can win."

" I didn't know exactly this this subject matter that I was going to ask but anytime my."

" The first time you didn't have a strategy going -- you to sell it lasting just. What you -- you'll always have a okay and I got to ask you this first -- all the research and everything that you've been doing and you seemed to have been stocking you know for currently is which is fine. What has your research told you about the revenue that this -- basketball program in the women's program brings to the University of Connecticut."

" Okay so. Before before I get the answer here is you guys just keep seemed as saying you know you do this you do that is quietly make it about me. And we don't make it about the subject matter at hand."

" Well I'm I'm as a junior in the record and got nothing to do with."

" This subject matter at hand is we have a major budget."

" Continue into the front and I I I'm again I'm confused."

" What you just do you want us to make it about you was that we usually don't I don't want to make it -- I ask you how partisan universe where -- Connecticut aren't a tight budget. Okay that's why I'm asking -- question it has nothing to do with you I said that your research how -- is about to the basketball programs bring to the university."

" According to the federal Department of Education the UConn men's program. The numbers that Jeff Hathaway the athletic director supplied to the federal Department of Education I think they make seven point three -- And they they spend -- Point one million with a total profit of one point two million and now have to wait and the rest of the university Connecticut athletic department is saying -- to twelve million comes from. You know you can come to twelve million dollars many with the --"

" Well we don't -- old uncle -- time out on them let me try to fill in some gas today. And this is from today's Hartford. About a large portion of the school's athletic income is not directly attributed to a particular team by the way they do that. For specific purpose candidates to look -- The less desirable. Sports program on revenue for non revenue producing that is done by every university of the country to protect them. Because you want to hold all your lesser programs because let's face it."

" You like frying it was Baker's attitude in our. I gave up a lot. Well I didn't feel like new drugs."

" So they do that -- to protect those those lesser programs caused the big programs supplied the rest of the athletic programs. If UConn. Men's basketball -- to go away right now man. Not only -- academically this will be -- but all of the other athletic programs would go by bike as they wouldn't be able to support so let me read on here. Large portion of the school's athletic Jacob is not directly attributed to a particular team. Corporate sponsorship contracts. For example are generally sign with a team. But with the -- not with the team with the athletic department in its entirety. So they get a sponsorship. They don't attribute it to one team because they want to -- the the B yeah at the expense one for all of the other programs the school values those deals. At twenty million dollars and figures that the men's basketball team can fairly. Assert five million of the total I think they're being very conservative. If five million of the sponsorship. Of the what is being attributed to the men's basketball team that's only 25%. So you bet that five million. To the seven point three million in direct income and you have got that twelve billion dollar figure twelve point three million. But Jim Calhoun was referring to and -- at the expense line is six point one billion. That a fact it's 6097720. Is that correct figure."

" I believe so -- question here is twelve point did twelve million. When you -- that bat that it -- figure it did that figure it and so we're proud person that don't where's that -- where we talked about that the difference that twenty million sponsorship. So there's that little closed at sweatshops overseas."

" And this is what I was gone and buddy this is what you lose okay this is where you lose you go off the track. -- And I don't -- another you walk us jobs overseas is what is relevant to what happened you can then you write can you just went off the track now you've -- to blame Jim now who. For another issue labor issue worldwide labor you know you can't do that you -- you -- your."

" Now they look we're gonna on the -- if you -- and you."

" Actually in the united it would do like business from university Connecticut."

" So according to Uganda should be no college back -- football program they did you equally across our try to be at the time to give you. An opportunity. To express yourself I can't believe anybody is going to take -- a credible source is what you do what now is. Instead of sticking to the subject matter you're taking your other political agendas reading a ball into this one. Ditch that you out George Jim talent you run."

" Entire thing the DNC. --"

" I was Jim -- and -- you're expecting -- should solve the problem are people in China making 65 cents an -- Why don't why would you bring out."

" But cooperation. We hit. That system."

" Buddy buddy instead of wasting your time on some frequent blog."

" Why don't jubilant over all my group together a political group together and go to China and try to fight that 65 bucks a 65 cents and now what are serious does not want attention or."

" I'm -- totally series and it."

" After you finished law -- okay why hasn't fired once why did you why did you go do that does he do that you can't sit here. And try to deal with one issue and then bring all of your of the political agendas -- would want to solve problems that."

" The issue the issue here is this stressed. That universities particularly public universities placed on athletics over academics."

" But you know they don't -- when -- out -- and they don't and they don't. They then say yeah yeah they don't. Then they don't let if you took away the high profile athletic programs the number of them. I just didn't you you would take away money for the strong and -- fasteners at front teachers. I -- it can't really -- I don't know I've noticed where the local economy economic crisis -- do you agree with that. Yeah and we had we had we had we had. And we I don't know -- and we had a bunch of our people right here that we work with every day layoff. That's the real why nobody that's what's happening out there. You know it -- your hand. Your head got to listen and open up a rep that's real well in I'm glad I didn't notice that the end -- You decide that Jim Powell bolt is the reason that everything is wrong in the world but the market and China are only get 65 sets -- Christmas low rounds out."

" You know I'm glad you gave no 512 before you went to the press conference -- ligaments about Dennis Erickson want to do this to some degree --"

" Dennis -- Is he coaching Arizona."

" 800 number and oh yeah yeah the Miami -- the onion -- out."

" It makes 450000. Dollars a year he just took a -- day furlough with the direction of the Arizona governor and bill. NCAA division one coaches of public universities are not immune to the global present."

" You all got a little -- have all I don't really -- what players like second would not be an issue the governor of Connecticut not the -- the UConn men's basketball team."

" But here's the thing guys hadn't had a -- brilliance took a pay cut voluntarily in 1940."

" I'm like I'm formerly solid rock and hip issue and values value is simple just answer -- question okay if UConn women's and men's basketball programs -- not doing as well as they are didn't even exist how do you think the now do you think the stated via -- would be Connecticut. How much worse would be."

" We would've figured other ways to cope."

" How well -- hold -- I didn't want it and how ears can't give me one example how you would do. Yeah -- don't let you know don't repeat the -- this is not a game joke odd. How would you replace that body -- right. We gave me the figures okay you know what that that the figurines of what they're -- what they spent 6000097728. How do you made up that difference."

" Okay I'm gonna say something that's completely. -- if we're looking at the state budget I'm gonna say something you guys are gonna say other ludicrous to go to bring this topic matter into it because that's not where we can get this money from."

" Is Clinton how much you just can't let it out I don't need the -- yeah instant diet it'd."

" Did they -- okay let's stop throwing nonviolent. People into jail consensual offense."

" yeah and -- I don't know how important. All of that."

" Back -- I tell you a lot I'll play 65 cents an hour -- half. Better not take blood -- so then you're off topic again at least I don't let."

" I don't know I don't unit that I read it when it's on. And I we thank them. Enough -- Mexico and thank you in England land grants he usually. I was I was gonna say we did did escalate in both maturing of MVP."

Related Media
Bill Belichick, HC, NEP

Bill Belichick, HC, NEP

Head coach of your Patriots Bill Belichick joins the Big Show for a long-form update on the Patriots comings and goings this off-season.

Audio|Thu, 19 Mar 2009|More from The Big Show

|Keywords: Julius Peppers, Matt Cassel, Shawn SpringsJulius Peppers found at11:18, 3:32
Vic Carucci, NFL.com

Vic Carucci, NFL.com

Moments after breaking the story about the Patriots possibly trading the #34 overall pick for Julius Peppers, Vic Carucci joins the Big Show to break it all down.

Audio|Mon, 16 Mar 2009|More from The Big Show

|Keywords: Julius Peppers, Jay Cutler, Jarvis GreenJarvis Green found at7:12, 10:59
Curt Schilling

Curt Schilling

Curt from a car checks in with the Big Show boys to echo and add on to the comments made by Jonathan Papelbon about Manny Ramirez. Manny mania rocks on !

Audio|Thu, 12 Mar 2009|More from The Big Show

|Keywords: Bobby Abreu, Kansas City Royals, Derek LoweDerek Lowe found at9:18
Aaron Ward, Bruins Defenseman

Aaron Ward, Bruins Defenseman

B's blue-liner Aaron Ward joins the Big Show to break down the team's recent struggles.

Audio|Wed, 11 Mar 2009|More from The Big Show

|Keywords: Mark Recchi, Stanley CupStanley Cup found at1:46

Audio & Video on Demand

  • -

    Rosevelt, our Indianapolis correspondent, talked about playing with Drew Brees back in their days at Purdue, what he was thinking going into the Super Bowl and what actually surprised him in the game, which player is being singled out as the goat in Indianapolis, where this Colts team ranked with previous seasons, and what's the latest on his many business ventures

    Peter joined the guys to recap Super Bowl XLIV and discussed Sean Payton's decision to start the second half with an onside kick, the evolution of Payton as a coach over the years, what the loss does for the legacy of Peyton Manning, how Bill Polian was taking the Colts loss, what the win means for the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana, and the results for the Pro Football Hall of Fame

    Patriots linebacker Adaluis Thomas joins Mustard and Johnson to clarify he's still a Patriot and discusses his relationship with Belichick.

  • -

    Jackie talked about the struggles of the Celtics in the second half of games, that both Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett would be better off skipping the All-Star Game, if Ray Allen will be a member of the Celtics at the end of the season, if signing Rasheed Wallace was a mistake, how Rondo has become the most important member of the team in many respects, and dropped a great rap to pay off her Super Bowl bet with Michael

    Eddie talked about if he or Paul Pierce would be participating in the three-point contest at All-Star Weekend this year, why his shot hasn't been the same as last year but he is working on the kinks every day, how the guards need to do a better job of rebounding, the team struggling to finish games strong, the leadership of Rajon Rondo, and told us to look up his impression of Ray Allen on YouTube

    Doc joins D&C to talk about the C's struggles, Ray Allen on the trade block and the All Star Game

  • -

    Mike talked about how the Bruins need some help, that they may have overachieved last year but they are better than how they are playing right now, the trade of Ilya Kovalchuk to the New Jersey Devils and who got the best of the deal, what he would have done different in the past offseason, if he is seeing players tuning out Claude Julien, how the Bruins don't have a dynamic player, and why Milan Lucic looks like a different player this year

    Peter talked about the Bruins coming off a disappointing month of January, his thoughts on the Leafs making two big trades over the weekend, if anyone has approached him in making a move, how he is unwilling to trade their first round pick from Toronto, how the team doesn't seem confident right now, if Thomas is still the number 1 goalie, and that he has looked at trade possibilities over the last month but nothing has made sense yet

    The Jacobs talk to Dale and Kevin Paul Dupont about how significant it is for their team to be a part of the NHL's big day, as well as how important the fans are in making this event special. Jeremy and Charlie also discuss how outdoor games could be expanded in the future and what impact the Olympic Games may have on their franchise.

  • -

    Dustin joins Mut and Bradford for his weekly appearance on the Laser Show. Dustin talks to the guys about getting closer to re-joining his teammates at spring training, what he has done to make Marco Scutaro feel comfortable with the Red Sox, and where he would prefer to bat in the lineup.

    Dustin makes his weekly appearance with Mut on the Laser Show. Dustin talks about getting ready to re-join his teammates in Spring Training and continuing his off-season conditioning program. Dustin also talks about returning to his hometown to speak to a group of students, and what his advice is for young ballplayers.

    Mike joined Michael and Lou to talk about his role as narrator of the new film "Touching the Game: Alaska", all the major league players who played in the Alaska Baseball League, what's new in his life after his playing career, going to a major league game as a fan, and if he has closed the door on any possible return to the game

Weei Writers