Head coach Greg McDermott of the Creighton Bluejays reacts in the first half against the St. John's Red Storm during the quarterfinals of the Big East Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 12, 2020 in New York City. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images/TNS)
Creighton basketball coach Greg McDermott said Wednesday that he offered to resign after asking his players to “stay on the plantation” in a postgame speech.
McDermott apologized Tuesday night for comments he made after a Feb. 27 loss.
“Specifically, I said: ‘Guys, we got to stick together. We need both feet in. I need everybody to stay on the plantation. I can’t have anybody leave the plantation,’ ” McDermott revealed in a statement. “I realize the pain that my words have caused. For that, I sincerely apologize.”
McDermott said he was trying to rally his team after a 77-69 loss to Xavier and that he immediately recognized his poor choice of words.
Afterward, McDermott met with players in small groups, and Creighton held a full team meeting Sunday, the coach told Omaha radio station KOZN. In that meeting, McDermott said he offered to step down as coach, but the team wanted him to stay.
“If they would’ve chosen to have me walk away, I would’ve walked away,” McDermott said. “But that is not what they wanted. They wanted to get back to the practice court as quickly as possible, so that’s what we did. Obviously it’s not perfect.”
Creighton is 17-6 and almost certain to make the NCAA Tournament. The Bluejays play No. 10 Villanova on Wednesday night.
McDermott’s comments were not publicly reported prior to Tuesday night’s apology. The 11-year coaching veteran told KOZN that the program initially agreed that a public apology was not necessary. But after two days, McDermott said it didn’t sit well with him, and the group eventually changed course, leading to Tuesday’s statement.
Creighton assistant coach Terrence Rencher, a member of Coaches For Action, a group of Big East coaches whose mission is “to use their platform to educate and bring awareness to social injustices,” also issued a statement.
“I am deeply hurt by his words. While my relationship with Coach has been positive and I have never witnessed any racist energy from him, what he said was wrong and insensitive,” Rencher said. “Right now my focus is on the players and supporting them.”
Most expensive stadium experiences for sports fans
Most expensive stadium experiences for sports fans
Most expensive NFL stadium experiences
The cost to attend an NFL game is the most expensive among the major four sports leagues with an average cost of $157.07. The cheapest NFL team to watch live is the Cincinnati Bengals with an average cost of $105.69. Here are the five most expensive.
#1 Las Vegas Raiders ($236.97)
The Las Vegas Raiders moved into Allegiant Stadium prior to the 2020-21 season. Among NFL teams, the Raiders have the most expensive general admission ticket ($153.47), most expensive beer ($13) and most expensive hot dogs ($7.50).
#2 San Francisco 49ers ($205.75)
Levi's Stadium opened in 2014. To attend a San Francisco 49ers game is the second-most expensive among NFL teams and third-most expensive among all four major sports leagues.
#3 Dallas Cowboys ($198.00)
The parking at AT&T Stadium is the most expensive of all the four major sports leagues. It costs more for parking at a Dallas Cowboys game ($75) than attending a Los Angeles Dodgers game ($70.66).
#4 Los Angeles Rams ($194.12)
The Los Angeles Rams moved into SoFi Stadium prior to the 2020-21 season. The Rams sell the most expensive hot dogs among NFL teams with an average price of $7.50.
#5 Green Bay Packers ($192.93)
The Green Bay Packers are the only franchise owned by stockholders. The average price for a Green Bay Packers fan to attend a game at Lambeau Field with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $192.93.
Most expensive MLB stadium experiences
The average cost to attend an MLB game with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $67.39, which is the cheapest of the major four sports leagues.
#1 Chicago Cubs ($109.78)
Watching the Chicago Cubs comes at a hefty price. Wrigley Field is the most expensive MLB game for fans to attend with an average price of $109.78.
#2 Boston Red Sox ($96.62)
Among all the MLB teams, the Boston Red Sox have the priciest general admission ticket. The average ticket price at Fenway Park is $60.09.
#3 New York Yankees ($95.91)
At $29, the parking at Yankees Stadium is the most expensive of all MLB stadiums.
#4 Washington Nationals ($95.88)
The most expensive hot dog of all MLB stadiums can be found at a Washington Nationals home game. Hot dogs cost fans $7.25 at Nationals games.
#5 Houston Astros ($89.83)
The average price for Houston Astros fans to attend a game at Minute Maid Park with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $89.83.
Most expensive NBA stadium experiences
The NBA is the second-most expensive league in terms of attending a game with an average cost of $120.13.
#1 New York Knicks ($260.38)
An average New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden will cost fans $260.38, the most expensive of all of the four major sports leagues. Among NBA teams, the Knicks have the most expensive general admission tickets ($180.78), most expensive parking ($45) and most expensive hot dog ($8.50).
#2 Golden State Warriors ($230.30)
The Golden State Warriors moved into Chase Center before the 2019-20 season and became the second-most expensive NBA game to attend with an average cost of $230.30. The Warriors sell the most expensive hot dogs in the NBA with an average cost of $8.50.
#3 Los Angeles Lakers ($190.76)
It's no surprise that attending a Los Angeles Lakers game is expensive. The average cost for Lakers fans to attend a game at Staple Center with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $190.76.
#4 Boston Celtics ($167.16)
The TD Garden has been the home of the Boston Celtics since 1995. The average price for a Boston Celtics fan to attend a game at TD Garden with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $167.16.
#5 Chicago Bulls ($154.01)
Even though the Chicago Bulls missed the playoffs with a 22-43 record during the 2019-20 season, the United Center was still the fifth-most expensive NBA stadium to attend a game with an average cost of $154.01.
Most expensive NHL stadium experiences
While it's not as cheap as the average price to attend an MLB game, an NHL game is still reasonable compared to an NFL or NBA game. The average cost for a NHL game with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $114.47.
#1 New York Rangers ($182.43)
Even though an average New York Rangers game at Madison Square Garden isn't as expensive as a New York Knicks game, it's still the most expensive game to attend in the NHL with an average cost of $182.43. The Rangers also sell the most expensive beer in the league, which will set a fan back $15.
#2 Boston Bruins ($162.36)
The parking at TD Garden for a Boston Bruins game will cost an average of $29, the most expensive among NHL teams.Including a ticket, two beers, a hot dog and the parking, a Bruins game will cost an average of $162.36.
#3 Toronto Maple Leafs ($160.01)
The Toronto Maple Leafs are the most popular hockey team in Canada, and the ticket prices prove it. Scotiabank Arena offers the most expensive general admissions ticket in the NHL with an average ticket costing $128.69.
#4 Chicago Blackhawks ($153.63)
Even though the Chicago Blackhawks finished last in the Central Division during the 2019-20 season, the United Center still sets a fan back $153.63 to attend an NHL game.
#5 Las Vegas Golden Knights ($153.36)
The newest addition to the NHL is the Las Vegas Golden Knights and T-Mobile Arena where the average price to attend a game is $153.36. The Golden Knights are home to the most expensive hot dog in the NHL, which will cost a fan $7.
