LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The FBI is investigating the estranged wife of Louisville’s equipment manager regarding extortion allegations leveled by coach Rick Pitino, her attorney said Sunday. Attorney Thomas Clay said he spoke with the FBI about the matter last week but had no further comment. He represents Karen Sypher, the wife of longtime equipment manager Tim Sypher. Clay acknowleged Karen Sypher was contacted by the FBI after Pitino filed a complaint last month that he was being targeted for extortion. “I can’t be more specific than they talked to her,” Clay said. “Yes, there could be a criminal prosecution.”…Pitino said in a statement Saturday night that he planned to keep the matter private but was forced into action when the individual — whom he did not name — decided to go to the media. The statement did not detail the nature of the threats. “I recently learned that the individual behind this extortion attempt has already gone to the media with false, defamatory and outrageous allegations in an attempt to pressure me to cave in to this scheme,” Pitino said.

I’m not 100% sure what to make of this story.  Karen Sypher is clearly telling people she banged Pitino, right?  I mean, what else could she be blackmailing him with?  Recruiting violations?  Using steroids on his horses?  The Chauncey Billiups trade?  It’s possible she could just be a gold digging skank just out to make a quick buck, but when women do these things, don’t they usually back up the claim with physical evidence like a pair of Pitinos boxers or bed sheets with his boy butter all over them or something?  Still, something just doesn’t add up here.  First of all, Pitino is a gazillionaire.  If she was telling the truth wouldn’t he just pay her off or have her whacked or something?  Isn’t that what rich guys do in this situation?  And besides, Pitino is frigging royalty in Kentucky.  In the land where college hoops and thoroughbred racing are king, he’s at the top of the food chain in both.  Therefore he can nail any woman in the Bluegrass State, period.  Picture the chicks sitting in the box seats at Churchill Downs sipping Mint Juleps and realize that Rick could walk through, point to the pick of the litter, say “You’re with me, Pink Hat” and score.  But he’s going to pass that up for this tired, overdone hag?  An equipment manager’s wife?  I’m not buying it.  I doubt very much went on here and this is karmic retribution for Pitino taking Red’s title away.  Serves him right.