Northwestern’s motion to dismiss the wrongful termination lawsuit brought by former coach Pat Fitzgerald was denied today, Fitz seeking $130MM.

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Apologies, I haven't followed closely enough to know what you're talking about. I'll have to look more into it.

I don't see why they could've done it then, getting away scot-free, but then later did it and lost (having to settle is a loss in my book, as opposed to being able to fire for cause with no lawsuit that had enough merits to force a settlement)

I can't speak for GopherRock but I'll say this:

They were in far worse legal position after getting the report and deciding not to fire him, then later changing their mind.

Northwestern caught a lot of PR flack and never explained changing their mind much (beyond saying they should have punished him more), how they would explain changing their mind to a jury would potentially be a big mountain to climb.

 

[Some guy]

Yes, I do. They paid more than their objective, which was zero dollars. Even if it was a token $1 amount, the administration at NU lost.

Thats only true if 0 dollars was a realistic objective and they messed it up

 

[Ewert86PC]

Thats only true if 0 dollars was a realistic objective and they messed it up

Zero dollars was their objective in the dismissal. They realistically thought it was possible. They messed it up.

 

[GopherRock]

Apologies, I haven't followed closely enough to know what you're talking about. I'll have to look more into it.

I don't see why they could've done it then, getting away scot-free, but then later did it and lost (having to settle is a loss in my book, as opposed to being able to fire for cause with no lawsuit that had enough merits to force a settlement)

IIRC the first time that the public learned about anything about this business was when Fitz was put on involuntary leave for two weeks in summer 2023, which was then followed by the NU paper printing all the lurid details that the investigation found out.

Most of us thought that the suspension was so that the GC and/or HR office could get their paperwork in order to fire him for cause. Turns out the suspension WAS the initial punishment. The president of the university learned of this two days later and directly ordered Fitz fired.

That is why NU is in a very bad negotiating position WRT a settlement.