The Pat Fitzgerald saga has taken its next turn today. Pat Fitzgerald’s attorney, Dan Webb of Winston & Strawn LLP, announced today that Fitzgerald will be suing Northwestern for $130 million for breach of contract. Webb explained that the $130 million would be for the remaining years left on the contract and future damages because “he’ll never work at the same level ever again.”
Attorney Dan Webb explains that $130 million is both for Pat Fitzgerald’s remaining contract and future earnings he will never get because he won’t work at this level again. Figure does not include punitive damages. pic.twitter.com/J0y2sEayr1— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) October 5, 2023
Fitzgerald was fired amidst a hazing scandal over the summer where multiple players came forward with complaints about their treatment while playing at Northwestern. The scandal resulted in several lawsuits against the university.
For a full timeline of the Northwestern hazing scandal and Pat Fitzgerald firing you can click HERE.
What’s Next For Pat Fitzgerald & Northwestern
Whether or not you believe Fitzgerald should have been fired, it would appear he has a case in court. The argument for Fitzgerald wouldn’t be surrounding the hazing incidents themselves, but more so the independent investigation into the situation resulted in an agreement of a two-week unpaid suspension. It was after the ruling when the story blew up in the media that Northwestern moved ahead with firing Fitz. This would seem to violate a breach of agreement.
We’ll have more on the story as things develop. While Fitz is no longer at Northwestern, this story is far from over and will likely be dragging on for a bit.
