In an article in today’s New York Times, Nedim Karakas, the general manager of the Turkish basketball club Fenerbahce Ulker, says the father of Kentucky freshman star Enes Kanter “negotiated” his salary with the team.
“On the contrary to what he had said about his academic approach, he himself was the one to negotiate the terms of his son’s salary,” Karakas said.
Mehmet Kanter told The Sporting News last week that he “never once” discussed salary with Fenerbahce and kept “meticulous” records to ensure his son retained his amateur status.
Kentucky is still awaiting word on whether the 6-10 Kanter will be eligible to play this season.
Karakas told the Times he has bank statements and other documents proving that Fenerbahce gave Kanter and his family more than $100,000 in salary and expenses, including a $19,800 bonus for making the team and $6,500 monthly.
He declined to make the documents available to the paper, but said he will once the NCAA rules on Kanter’s status.
(Photo courtesy AP)
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