"The 1985 Petrus was a joke" - Former NBA coach Rick Pitino reveals pranking about his $99,598 wine theft during robbery
Former NBA coach Rick Pitino, who spent time coaching the New York Knicks in the 80s, and Boston Celtics in the late 90s through the turn of the century, was recently the victim of a robbery. The St. John's basketball coach had his office burglarized according to various outlets, with thieves making away with memorabilia according to police.
According to a report from the New York Post, two men stole an estimated $375 worth of memorabilia, such as a signed basketball, a ceremonial dagger, and an item called a bullhorn. In addition, the New York Post is reporting that a mask and several bottles of alcohol were also stolen.
Surveillance footage captured the two men on camera, with police now requesting the public's help in identifying the two men. The St. John's athletic department released a statement on the matter, revealing that the burglary happened at around 6 p.m. local time, with the two thieves then fleeing on a moped scooter.
In response to the situation, Rick Pitino took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to weigh in, joking about the robbery and a bottle of 1985 6L Petrus Pomerol wine, valued at nearly $100,00 according to CaskCartel.com
In one post he wrote:
"Really upset! Taking my memorabilia is one thing but the 1985 6L Petrus Pomerol has me livid!!!"
He then followed it up with another post, clarifying that he was simply joking:
"The 1985 Petrus was a joke! I would never keep that on my desk! Saving that one in a wine cellar to open after the Johnnies go to the final four!"
Looking at Rick Pitino's coaching career, and recent return to the NCAA
After spending time coaching at the NBA level with the New York Knicks, Rick Pitino coached at Kentucky from 1989-1997, winning an NCAA championship with the school before then returning to the NBA. From 1997-2001, Pitino coached the Boston Celtics, however, he struggled to replicate his NCAA success.
Eventually, he wound up parting ways with the franchise, returning to coach at the NCAA level at Louisville. There, he had some of the most formative years of his career, leading the team to its first Final Four appearance in nearly two decades. In addition, Pitino then led the team to the 2013 NCAA championships.
Despite his success with the program, Rick Pitino wound up parting ways with the school in 2017 after a 2015 scandal that saw recruits and players attend parties with dancers and escorts. While these were funded by an individual named Andre McGee, because it happened on Pitino's watch, he was suspended.
Several months after Rick Pitino was suspended in the summer of 2017, he was then the subject of another scandal that alleged a $100,000 payment was made to a top recruit, resulting in the two sides parting ways.
He then took his talents overseas, coaching Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos before then handling national coaching duties for the Ethniki, the Greek national team.
In 2023, Pitino made his return to the NCAA, taking up the head coaching job at St. John's. While the famed coach is now 71 years old, based on his post about his Petrus Pomerol, he still has his sights on another NCAA title.