Mark Pope’s Bold Promise: A Financial Gamble or a Fan-Favorite Move?
In his first season as head coach of Kentucky, Mark Pope has already made waves—both on the court and off it. With March Madness set to begin this Saturday, Pope is rallying Big Blue Nation to support the Wildcats. However, his generous offer to pay for fans’ gas money to Milwaukee is proving to be a bigger financial burden than he expected.
A Promise He Might Regret
Mark Pope says a “whole slew” of requests for gas money have already come in, including from a college student in Florida named Jack.
“That was not a good call on my part… Gas money for Milwaukee, this is not going to go well.”
🎥: @UKSportsNetwork https://t.co/MvXsFTT1jj pic.twitter.com/zD7szIZaz7
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) March 17, 2025
When Pope first made the pledge, it seemed like a heartfelt gesture to help Wildcats fans travel to support the team in the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament. But as the requests flooded in, reality set in. One notable request came from a college student in Florida, prompting Pope to rethink the logistics. “That was not a good call on my part… Gas money for Milwaukee, this is not going to go well,” he admitted.
Despite second thoughts, Pope remains committed to the promise, echoing his history of supporting Kentucky fans. Just a few months ago, he treated hundreds of fans to ice cream at Rupp Arena, further cementing his bond with Big Blue Nation.
Kentucky’s Tough Road to Success
While Pope works on fulfilling his off-court commitments, his team faces a challenging journey in the tournament. The Wildcats have been dealing with injury concerns:
Lamont Butler (shoulder injury) – Left the SEC Tournament early but is expected to return for March Madness.
Travis Perry (shooting hand injury) – Sustained the injury against Alabama and is uncertain for the tournament.
Kerr Kriisa (foot injury) – Recovering, but his status remains in question.
With key players either limited or unavailable, Walker Horn, a player with just 12 career appearances, could be thrust into a major role.
Can Pope Deliver in Year One?
While the gas money promise might be costly, Pope’s biggest test remains on the court. With Kentucky banged up, his coaching skills will be put to the test as he tries to navigate the Wildcats through March Madness.
Will Pope’s Wildcats make a deep tournament run? Or will injuries and a tough road ahead cut their journey short? And more importantly, will his generous promise win over fans or come back to haunt him?