

The controversial practice tape that resulted in a three-game suspension and $50,000 fine for Rutgers men's basketball coach Mike Rice in December is about to put Rice and his program back in the spotlight again. The Star-Ledger has learned that ESPN's "Outside the Lines" program will air the tape Tuesday afternoon.

Four individuals with direct knowledge of the tape and its exact contents — profane and abusive language, including a gay slur, and throwing basketballs at players' heads — confirmed the network's plans to broadcast it this weekend, in between the Final Four and the NCAA's national championship game. The individuals requested anonymity because they do not speak for the network.

Two individuals confirmed that "Outside the Lines" program has reached out to current and former players in regard to its story.

When reached, an ESPN spokesman confirmed the network was working on a Mike Rice story that would be broadcast Tuesday afternoon on "Outside the Lines." (Earlier versions of this story incorrectly indicated ESPN could not be reached for comment.)

Athletic director Tim Pernetti and Rice were not available for comment.

Rice was suspended for three games without pay and fined $50,000 in December for what Rutgers termed "a violation of athletic department policy" which was termed by Pernetti at the time of Rice's suspension as a "pattern" of behavior. The reason for suspension also included use of "inappropriate behavior and language." All of it stemmed from a videotaped practice during Rice's first season at Rutgers, which The Star-Ledger reported in December included Rice throwing basketballs at players' heads.

The taped material was brought to the attention of Rutgers and now ESPN by former Scarlet Knights director of player development, Eric Murdock — according to one of the individuals.

Murdock, whose contract was not renewed after the 2011-12 season, promised to release the tapes of Rice's treatment of players if the university did not compensate him. When reached in December, Murdock did not provide further details citing that "there are some legal things going on," in regards to himself and Rutgers. Murdock has reportedly threatened a lawsuit for unlawful termination, but a search of public records showed no such lawsuit has currently been filed.

Rice's suspension cost him nearly $75,000 — or roughly 25 percent of his base salary for the 2012-13 season.

"It's a pattern, I think I would say," Pernetti said on a conference call at the time of Rice's suspension in December. "But certainly something that, once we were made aware of it, deal with it in a very proactive manner."

Rice — whom Pernetti hired in May of 2010 — returned to his team on Dec. 29 and led the Scarlet Knights to a 15-16 record and 5-13 mark in the Big East Conference. While there was speculation at the time of the suspension and throughout the season, Pernetti told The Star-Ledger last month that Rice would return next season at the head coach at Rutgers.

Rice would have one year left on his initial contract after the 2013-14 season — which would be the school's first in the Big Ten Conference.

"Of course he's coming back," Pernetti said at the time. "It's been an interesting year to say the least and while I think in one case some of the progress — and there's been a lot of progress — doesn't show and that's in the win-loss column. I would like it to show there. I think everyone in the program would. I know Mike and the players would. But you can definitely see us getting better."

Rice is 44-51 in three seasons with the Scarlet Knights and 17-39 in Big East play.

Upon returning, Rice stipulated that his practices be monitored by an individual outside of the basketball program. He also had to undergo sensitivity training as part of his punishment.

"I did this to myself," Rice said on Dec. 29, upon his return. "There's no one else to blame. So if someone thinks negatively of me, all I can try to do is try to change that. ... It's by my actions. It's about what I do daily with practice and what I do daily with my team. That's truly what's going to count."

Staff writer Tom Luicci contributed to this report.