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NC State is investigating potential legal claims against LSU tied to men’s basketball coach Will Wade leaving for another stint coaching the Tigers. That includes whether LSU violated a North Carolina state law.
NC State Vice Chancellor and General Counsel Allison B. Newhart wrote to LSU counterpart Carlton Jones last week about the case, a development first reported by WRAL in Raleigh. The letter was later obtained by The Associated Press in a records request.
According to NC State, it has received three emails from LSU asking the school to “sign a release of claims” against LSU in the Wade case.
Letter cites state law with potential financial damages
Newhart’s letter from last Thursday states that the school “has not agreed — and does not now agree — to release LSU from any liability” linked to Wade’s departure after one season with the Wolfpack in March.
“Instead, NC State is investigating whether LSU improperly induced Coach Wade to terminate his employment agreement, induced Coach Wade to terminate his employment agreement, and interfered with the timing of termination of the employment agreement to result in lower liquidated damages – all to the detriment of NC State,” Newhart wrote.
That includes whether LSU violated the state’s Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act; violations may result in financial damages and legal fees.
Reached by the AP on Wednesday, NC State spokeswoman Lauren Barker said the school had no further comment beyond the contents of the letter. LSU spokesman Michael Bonnette declined comment to the AP.
The timing of Wade’s buyout payment is a key factor
LSU hired Wade on March 26, two weeks after Wade publicly said he was determined to win big at NC State in Year 2.
The buyout in Wade’s contract was $5 million, but was scheduled to drop to $3 million after April 1. At the time, athletic director Boo Corrigan said the school agreed to lower it to $4 million to close the case and not delay the search for a successor that landed former Wolfpack player and Tennessee assistant Justin Gainey in less than a week.
Newhart’s letter says NC State received a $4 million wire from LSU on May 8 for Wade’s buyout. But she also writes that NC State considers the issue resolved “only with respect to Coach Wade’s personal obligations” and that the payment “does not exempt LSU from potential legal exposure.”
Specifically, the letter states that NC State “has reason to suspect LSU may have influenced efforts to avoid or delay” and notify the school of the pursuit to trigger the lower buyout payment from after April 1.
Reporting for the Associated Press.
