Three men accused of corrupting college basketball kicked off their Manhattan federal trial Tuesday by claiming that they were just doing what the colleges and coaches — including Basketball Hall of Famer Rick Pitino — wanted.
In opening remarks, defense lawyers easily admitted that their clients — including ex-Adidas executive James Gatto — made secret payments to star athletes to get them to attend Adidas-sponsored schools, a violation of college sports rules.
But the attorneys suggested the three men were not defrauding the universities as charged because they were merely carrying out the wishes of school officials, including ex-Knicks coach Pitino, who was recently canned from his University of Louisville head-coaching job.
“Adidas stepped up to do what Pitino — the face of Louisville and the big dog there — wanted,” said lawyer Mark Moore.
Pitino lawyer Marc Mukasey told The Post: “Any statement or suggestion that Coach Pitino was involved in this or knew about it or condoned it is 100 percent false. Total bull.”
Pitino has not been charged with wrongdoing.
