Mark Pope follows through with promise to pay Kentucky fans' gas money for Milwaukee

Kentucky men's basketball coach Mark Pope is a man of his word, even if it comes at a cost.

The Wildcats' first-year coach made waves when he promised to pay the gas for fans to drive to Milwaukee to watch Kentucky play in the 2025 men's NCAA Tournament. As Pope's charitable task spread, fans began emailing Pope to see if the coach would follow through.

On Wednesday evening, a screenshot of an email from Pope's executive assistant to men's basketball ― Megan Summers ― showed that the coach will keep his promise. To be reimbursed for their travel, fans must provide proof of game tickets. Fans were also asked to confirm that no party member was in ninth to 12th grade to avoid potential recruiting violations.

Mark Pope is actually giving people the money who emailed him for gas money to Milwaukee

H/t @CBeasmoreSports pic.twitter.com/3cIjyxx5mx
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) March 19, 2025

When does Kentucky play in the NCAA Tournament?

Kentucky is the No. 3 seed in the Midwest Region. The Wildcats open the NCAA Tournament against No. 14 seed Troy at 6:10 p.m. Friday from the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. As a No. 3 seed in 2024, Kentucky lost to No. 14 Oakland in the first round last season. That led to the departure of long-time coach John Calipari to Arkansas, as the Wildcats had not advanced past the second round since the 2018-19 season.

Pope earned $5 million in his first season with Kentucky as part of a five-year agreement through March 31, 2029. Pope took the Wildcats' position after leaving BYU.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kentucky coach Mark Pope follows through on gas money promise

Topics

Mark Pope's first season with Kentucky basketball will be defined by 1 thing: NCAA success

Mark Pope's first season guiding Kentucky, his alma mater, always will be viewed through the prism of how the Wildcats fare in the NCAA Tournament.
Yahoo Sports - 5d
How much can Louisville's Pat Kelsey, Kentucky's Mark Pope earn in postseason bonuses?

As 2025 postseason tournaments begin, here's a look at Pat Kelsey's, Mark Pope's contracts, performance incentives for Louisville, Kentucky hoops.
Yahoo Sports - 2d
Alabama basketball is everything Kentucky wants to be — and will very soon | C.L. Brown

Mark Pope's Kentucky basketball team has been inconsistent this season, but the Wildcats aren't that far from returning to the top of nation's elite.
Yahoo Sports - 6d
Pope marks the 12th anniversary of his papacy hospitalized but with condition improving

Pope Francis marked the 12th anniversary of his papacy Thursday with increasingly positive medical updates four weeks into his hospitalization for double pneumonia
ABC News - Mar. 13
Mark Pope needs to shut down Lamont Butler for rest of SEC Tournament to give UK NCAA hope

Mark Pope's Kentucky basketball team dispatched Oklahoma without Lamont Butler. If Pope wants Cats to thrive in NCAA tourney, he needs to rest guard.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
Pope Francis marks 12th anniversary of his papacy hospitalized but with his condition improving

Pope Francis marked the 12th anniversary of his papacy Thursday with increasingly positive medical updates four weeks into his hospitalization for double pneumonia.
NBC News - Mar. 13
I’m carpooling with a friend for a conference. His expenses are covered. Should I offer to pay him for gas?

“Normally I’d offer to cover a meal or a portion of the gas.”
MarketWatch - 3d
Otega Oweh game-winner reactions: Kentucky tops Oklahoma in thrilling SEC tournament win

"There's not a lot of human beings walking on the planet actually that can (do that)," Kentucky head coach Mark Pope said of Otega Oweh's game-winner.
Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14
Catholics mark Pope's 12th anniversary with prayers for his recovery

Pope Francis, who was elected on 13 March 2013, has been in hospital for the past month and has been improving in recent days.
BBC News - Mar. 13

Mark Pope follows through with promise to pay Kentucky fans' gas money for Milwaukee

When does Kentucky play in the NCAA Tournament?

Topics

Related

Mark Pope's first season with Kentucky basketball will be defined by 1 thing: NCAA success

How much can Louisville's Pat Kelsey, Kentucky's Mark Pope earn in postseason bonuses?

Alabama basketball is everything Kentucky wants to be — and will very soon | C.L. Brown

Pope marks the 12th anniversary of his papacy hospitalized but with condition improving

Mark Pope needs to shut down Lamont Butler for rest of SEC Tournament to give UK NCAA hope

Pope Francis marks 12th anniversary of his papacy hospitalized but with his condition improving

I’m carpooling with a friend for a conference. His expenses are covered. Should I offer to pay him for gas?

Otega Oweh game-winner reactions: Kentucky tops Oklahoma in thrilling SEC tournament win

Catholics mark Pope's 12th anniversary with prayers for his recovery

More from Yahoo Sports

‘Gobsmacked’ Lewis Hamilton takes brilliant Chinese GP sprint pole

How Megan Bloodworth beat 'boogeyman' to become Oklahoma State softball's top slugger

What is the UFL? Who owns it, teams, more to know about spring league

Why did new Commanders receiver retire and then decide to return?

Women's NCAA Tournament 2025: Scores, schedule, times, watch all women's games

More in Sports

‘Gobsmacked’ Lewis Hamilton takes brilliant Chinese GP sprint pole

How Megan Bloodworth beat 'boogeyman' to become Oklahoma State softball's top slugger

What is the UFL? Who owns it, teams, more to know about spring league

Why did new Commanders receiver retire and then decide to return?

Women's NCAA Tournament 2025: Scores, schedule, times, watch all women's games