Making a clean break with the past, the Milwaukee Bucks fired coach George Karl on Sunday and absorbed the final year of his lucrative contract.

Bucks general manager Larry Harris and team owner Herb Kohl met with Karl on Sunday morning at the Cousins Center, and when the conference had ended, the 52-year-old Karl was out as Bucks coach.

The Bucks chose to make the move even though it meant they would owe Karl $7 million for the 2003-'04 season. After five seasons in Milwaukee and four playoff appearances, Karl exits as the third-winningest coach in Bucks history with a record of 205-173, behind only Don Nelson (540 victories) and Larry Costello (410).

"It was decided in our best interests, as well as his, that we not have George return next season to coach this team," Harris said at a hastily called news conference late Sunday afternoon.