"Depiction on Dan Hurley saga": Pete Zayas breaks silence on Lakers' sudden departure
Pete Zayas, writer and creator of the "Laker Film Room" podcast, was let go of his role within the LA Lakers organization this month. He said it was because of the way he discussed the potential hiring of UConn head coach Dan Hurley.
Zayas, who formerly worked as the Lakers beat writer for The Athletic, ran into trouble covering the news that the team was interested in UConn coach Dan Hurley, eventually offering him a deal worth $70 million.
Zayas says the team relieved him of his duties with the team after his depiction of the Dan Hurley situation. Hurley ultimately turned down the opportunity to chase a third straight title with UConn. Calling the pursuit of Hurley a "saga" was what Zayas said ultimately led the Lakers to want to let go of him.
"Of all things, it was the depiciton of the Dan Hurley sitaution as a saga," he said. "If you listen to this podcast, you know that i delight in this idea of the lakers being unneceesarily dramatic, it's part of the charm, they're my favorite novella." (1:20)
He speculated that it was less about the specific handling of the Hurley situation and more about the general idea of having an employee with such a podcast.
"It's more about, like, we don't wanna have podcasts with Lakers employees," he said. (2:00)
"You can either stay here, or you can keep recording the podcast. And for a vareity of reasons, I wanted to go back to being independent ... I really miss being able to speak my mind on certain things." (2:30)
He said his time with the organization was nothing short of a "dream job," and he's proud to have met all the people he did.
"I've never worked with this many compassionate and talented people who are just really good at their jobs," he added. (4:20)
Dan Hurley goes into detail about declining Lakers' job offer
Hurley turned down a $70 million contract with the storied franchise to remain at UConn on a $50 million deal that makes him one of the highest-paid college basketball coaches in the nation.
"I could have taken that job but I love what I do so much. And I feel like I’m not finished here yet," Hurley said via College Basketball reporter Mark Zanetto.
Hurley is coming off the heels of his second straight NCAA title victory, a feat that was last accomplished by the Florida Gators in 2006 and 2007.