UConn will at least be compensated pretty nicely in the event that head coach Dan Hurley leaves for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Eben Novy-Williams of Sportico reported this week on the relevant clause in Hurley’s contract that dictates how much he will owe UConn if he leaves to take a job in the NBA — $1.875 million. This is described by the contract as “liquidated damages” rather than as a “penalty.”
Hurley agreed to the contract, a six-year extension with UConn worth $32.1 million, in June 2023. The liquidated damages payment for a departure to the NBA by Hurley dropped down from $2.5 million to $1.875 million on Apr. 1 of this year (and drops further to $1.5 million on Apr. 1, 2025, $1 million on Apr. 1, 2026, $500K on Apr. 1, 2027, and $0 on Apr. 1, 2028).
The 51-year-old Hurley also has a similar fee structure dictating liquidated damages if he leaves for another NCAA team. Right now, that figure is $7.5 million (four times what it would be if Hurley left for an NBA job).
For the moment, it appears that Hurley, who has now led UConn to back-to-back national championships, is truly undecided about the Lakers job. The $1.875 million liquidated damages fee would essentially be a drop in the bucket for Hurley, especially if he ends up with a mega-contract from the Lakers. But the clause at least ensures that UConn, who has already been linked to two possible replacements for Hurley, will get a good amount of restitution if he decides to leave.
