Rick Pitino suing University of Louisville Athletic Association for more than $35 million

Former University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino is asking for more than $35 million in a federal breach of contract lawsuit filed Thursday against the school's athletic association.

Pitino was fired in a unanimous vote by the University of Louisville Athletic Association board on Oct. 16. The move came in connection with a national college basketball recruiting scandal, part of which federal investigators said included a scheme to pay the families of Louisville recruits.

"(Pitino) had no part whatsover in any scheme to pay the family of a UL recruit, or to otherwise improperly provide benefits to any recruit, as an inducement to join the basketball program," said Steve Pence, Pitino's lawyer, said in a statement.

University of Louisville spokesman John Karman said the university is aware of the lawsuit, but declined to comment, citing school policy.

See also: Adidas asks federal judge to dismiss Rick Pitino's lawsuit

Related: Louisville athletics refunded $419K to season-ticket holders after Pitino and Jurich were fired

Lawyer: Rick Pitino not a target in FBI investigation; new reporting on indictments 'misleading'

The lawsuit states that the board's actions violated his employment contract in two ways — first, during his suspension in September and again when he was fired in October.

In September, Pitino was "effectively fired" without proper notice, according to the lawsuit. The coach was placed on unpaid leave, locked out of his office and had access to his university email blocked.

The lawsuit also alleges the university had no justification to fire Pitino "for cause" in October and failed to fix the breach within 30 days despite being notified of the breach by the coach.

Claims made in a lawsuit represent only one side of the case.

Pitino is seeking $4.3 million a year — the value of his contract — from the date of the school's last payment through its end in June 2026, or the value of his actual losses, which includes his personal Adidas contract. Adidas terminated its personal services contract with Pitino after he was fired.

Pitino also filed a federal lawsuit against Adidas in October, alleging that the company deliberately damaged his reputation. The apparel company asked for the lawsuit to be dismissed this week.

Courier Journal previously reported that Pitino's contract with Adidas was worth $1.5 million a year in 2014-15 and 2015-16.

In an Oct. 3 letter that University of Louisville interim President Greg Postel sent to Pitino, the school listed eight reasons why it was pursuing the termination of his contract.

Postel also wrote that the school's involvement in the college basketball recruiting scandal, as well as its involvement in a high-profile escort scandal, show a pattern of "inappropriate behavior" under Pitino's watch.

Pitino's name is not included in the federal criminal complaint that was released by the FBI on Sept. 26, but a law enforcement source confirmed to Courier Journal and USA TODAY that Pitino was the "Coach 2" listed in the report.

Jeff Greer contributed to this story. Justin Sayers: 502-582-4252; jsayers@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @_JustinSayers. Danielle Lerner: 502-582-4042; dlerner@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @Danielle_Lerner. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/daniellel