Can we afford NOT to fire him.
Say the average ticket price is $10. Next season's attendance will certainly decrease by 1000 fans or so with Lee back. So let's guesstimate :
$10 x 1000 x 12 home games = $120,000 lost (maybe more, maybe less)
If it takes 175000 to buy out Lee, then you're only down $55000.
Now if you hire an up and coming, energetic coach and create fan excitement again, you will actually make a lot more than you will lose!!!
As the saying goes, you have to spend money to make money !!!!
Savoie,Walker, & Farmer - the ball is in your court (PUN intended) because it surely isn't in Lee's.