Beshear Blasts UK: 'Partisan Donors' Influence?

0:00On April 21st, Governor Andy Beishir dropped a bombshell on social media Tuesday afternoon, slamming the University of Kentucky's leadership over two. Big moves. He's calling out a brand new $1 million dollar job with zero clear duties, likely aimed at retiring athletic director Mitch Barnhart's upcoming role. As executive and resident starting July 1st, Beishir also ripped the hire of U.S. District Judge Greg Van Tattenhove as dean of the law school, even though faculty didn't recommend him. Barnhart's gig came together late in his tenure, swabbing his athletic director's spot for this vague position under President Eli Cavaletto. The deal packs a $950,000 base salary, a $650,000 retention bonus, lifetime game tickets, full benefits, and even a country club membership. Funding flipped from the general fund to athletics payroll amid the buzz. Beishir says he's losing faith in UK's decisions, hinting at partisan donors pulling strings. He noted the university first said the law dean needed board approval, then backtracked.

1:04Barnhart fired back at critics during his retirement presser, dismissing doubters as knuckleheads who think he'll just chill out. Faculty of the law school pushed back hard on Van Tattenhove's appointment from the jump, and now Beishir's joining the chorus demanding transparency. UK's board of trustees meets Friday, April 24th, and you can bet Beishir's words will spark some real questions from students, faculty, and the community.