Mark Pope had Big Blue Nation buzzing when he made an offer that was equal parts bold and generous. “It’s only a seven-hour drive, so if you’re having trouble with gas money, hit me up. Let’s get all of BBN out there,” Pope said on March 18 on the @UKSportsNetwork. The Kentucky coach, in his first NCAA Tournament at the helm, was rallying the troops for a Sweet 16 showdown in Indianapolis. But what started as a passionate call to arms quickly spiraled into chaos when a fake social media post spread like wildfire.
At first, it was all in good fun. Pope even shared a message from a Kentucky student named Jack, who had traveled to Florida for spring break and now needed help getting to Milwaukee.
“It just went from gas money to a ticket!” Pope laughed. “Listen, Jack, here’s the deal. I’m gonna try and hit you back, man. I’m doing my best, okay? I love it. BBN, man, it is the greatest blessing in the world to be a part of BBN. There’s nowhere like it. I love it.”
But then things took a turn.
A parody account on X, run by Chet Lemond, claimed Pope had said, “Come to Indy. I’ll pay for everyone’s hotels and game tickets.” That was all it took to send Big Blue Nation into a frenzy. While some fans knew better, others latched onto the supposed promise, flooding social media with debates, jokes, and even hopeful messages asking Pope how to cash in on the deal.
Mark Pope: “Come to Indy. I’ll pay for everyone’s hotels and game tickets.”
— Chet Lemond (@ChetLemond) March 23, 2025
Meanwhile, the Wildcats handled their business on the court, knocking off Illinois 84-75 to punch their Sweet 16 ticket. But this wasn’t just any win—Kentucky, known for its high-powered offense, won with relentless defense. The Wildcats racked up 14 steals, tying their season-high and converting them into 26 points.
But off the court? Pope was dealing with a different kind of pressure—managing fans who took his gas money offer and ran with it. Gas money? Sure. But a full-blown travel package? That’s when things got out of control.
Mark Pope’s $50K bonus sparks fan jokes about covering more than gas
With Kentucky punching its ticket to the Sweet 16, fans couldn’t resist poking fun at Mark Pope’s growing bank account. “He has 50K to blow!” one joked, referencing the $50,000 bonus Pope pocketed for the milestone. But that’s just the start. His five-year contract, which starts at $5 million annually, and climbs by $250,000 each season, is loaded with incentives—$100K for an SEC regular-season title, $50K for an SEC Tournament crown, and even academic bonuses. The deeper Kentucky goes, the richer Pope gets. And with a potential Final Four and national title on the horizon, his postseason payout could get a whole lot sweeter.
NCAA, College League, USA Basketball: Battle in Seattle-Kentucky at Gonzaga Dec 7, 2024 Seattle, Washington, USA Kentucky Wildcats guard Kerr Kriisa 77 knocks the ball away from Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Khalif Battle 99 during the first half at Climate Pledge Arena. Seattle Climate Pledge Arena Washington USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xStephenxBrashearx 20241207_SB_bd8_02
While some joked about Pope covering their expenses, others were genuinely curious. “How do you get a hold of him?” one fan asked. Pope, already wary of the growing demand, has already addressed it on his radio show. “I’m not gonna tell you how to hit me up, because I’m nervous about how many people are about to hit me up,” he said. “I had this ridiculous notion one night after a game to buy everybody that was left in the arena ice cream. It cost me a little bit more than I anticipated, but it’s all in the family, baby. It’s family. Let’s go.”
Another fan chimed in: “50K bonus should cover a good bit!” But Pope might want to keep that cash in his pocket—because Kentucky’s next battle won’t be a walk in the park. Then again, if the Wildcats keep winning, he won’t have to worry. One fan joked, “I just bought tickets. I need to send him my AMEX bill.” With Kentucky and Tennessee set to clash at Lucas Oil Stadium, that fan might as well make the trip—because history could be in the making.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Kentucky swept Tennessee in the regular season, winning 78-73 and 75-64, but March is a different beast. The Vols, powered by C. Lanier (18.1 PPG), are fresh off a statement win over UCLA. Meanwhile, Kentucky’s O. Oweh (16.4 PPG) will need to step up once again if the Wildcats want to keep their championship dreams alive.
And as for Vol Nation? “Sounds good. How does Vol Nation contact him?” another fan quipped. The answer? They don’t. Pope’s generosity is strictly reserved for Big Blue Nation.
The post Chaos Erupts in Big Blue Nation Over False Mark Pope Rumors as Kentucky Gears Up for Tennessee Showdown in Indy appeared first on EssentiallySports.
