Officials Consider a Valvano Buyout

The agent for North Carolina State basketball Coach Jim Valvano met with school officials Sunday to discuss a $500,000 contract buyout clause that could be exercised if he is dismissed.

The meeting fueled speculation that Valvano’s term at the school might end shortly. He is under fire for several problems, the latest an ABC News report last week that at least three former Wolfpack players, including Charles Shackleford of the New Jersey Nets, conspired to shave points on at least four games.

Valvano coached the team in a 93-91 loss to Wake Forest Sunday. His agent, Art Kaminsky, said that no agreement on the buyout clause has been reached, and at least one school official said that there is a question as to the source of money for any such use.

North Carolina investigators, already being assisted by the FBI, are considering use of a federal grand jury in their probe of the alleged point-shaving. Bill Dowdy of the State Bureau of Investigation said his agency has been unable to flush out the unidentified former player who told ABC News last week that players conspired to shave points.