Karl Agrees To Triple His Pay Sonics Coach Stands To Earn $3 Million For ‘97-98 Season

Coach George Karl has agreed to a one-year contract extension with the Seattle SuperSonics that would give him the highest single-season coaching salary in the NBA, Karl’s representative said Friday.

Price Johnson, a family friend, who has helped represent Karl in negotiations this summer, said Karl called him Friday morning and said he would accept the offer, worth about $3 million, for the 1997-98 season.

The Sonics guaranteed Karl’s $1 million salary for the coming season during the NBA playoffs last spring.

“He’s really satisfied. The Sonics stepped up and they’ve proven to him they want him as coach,” Johnson said.

The deal will likely be signed in early October.

Karl was out of town Friday and could not be reached for comment.

Sonics president Wally Walker was also out of his office and unavailable for comment.

The Seattle Times, citing sources familiar with the talks, said Karl had turned down a three-year extension from the Sonics worth $5.8 million plus incentives last month.

“I think he wanted a one-year extension and then see what happens after that,” Johnson said.

He said his goal has been to get Karl the best coaching contract in NBA history. Last season, Karl guided the Sonics to a franchise-record 64 victories and a berth in the NBA Finals.

This coming season, Phil Jackson of the champion Chicago Bulls will make the highest salary for a coaching-only job, $2.7 million. John Calipari of the Nets, Miami’s Pat Riley and Denver’s Bernie Bickerstaff will also earn more than the salary Karl has been offered, but all three have front-office duties in addition to coaching.

Karl has made it known that he felt underpaid with the $1 million salary he will make this season. He said last spring he would consider not coaching this season.