How much money did Dan Hurley lose by rejecting Lakers’ $70M offer? Breaking down UConn HC’s new Huskies contract
UConn basketball coach Dan Hurley made a huge headline in June by turning down a $70 million offer from the Los Angeles Lakers to become their head coach. Last Monday, Hurley signed a new contract with UConn for six years, worth $50 million.
By staying at UConn, Hurley forfeits $20 million in potential earnings over six years compared to what he would have earned with the Lakers. Based on his new contract, he receives $8.3 million annually from UConn compared to $11.7 million from the Lakers, resulting in a loss of $3.4 million each year.
Following his new deal, Hurley is expected to earn additional compensation worth more than $6.3 million. As per The Athletic, the compensation covers "speaking, consulting and media obligations" which will increase gradually after each year. A rretention bonus of $1 million per year has also been reported.
However, it was never about the money for Hurley. Though the offer was enticing, he was driven by a deeper passion.
"I am humbled by this entire experience. At the end of the day, I am extremely proud of the championship culture we have built at Connecticut," Hurley opened about his decision on rejecting the Lakers. "Our focus right now is getting better this summer and connecting as a team as we continue to pursue championships."
Dan Hurley, who won back-to-back championships with UConn, now eyes a three-peat, a college basketball feat achieved only once by a single team in NCAA Division I history.
"The opportunity to potentially coach the Lakers and to coach one of the greatest players of all time...was obviously tempting," Hurley added. "You think about the two places you are trying to choose between. You are coaching the back-to-back champs at UConn or the L.A. Lakers. There aren't many coaches who had to make that choice between those two options for your career."
Dan Hurley said Lakers rejection was no leverage play
Dan Hurley clarified the decision to stay at UConn despite a tempting offer from the Lakers has nothing to do with the leverage.
"One of the worst takes I've heard is that this is a leverage play by me to improve my situation at UConn," Hurley said on 'The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz'. "I don't need leverage here. We've won back-to-back national championships at this place. This was never a leverage situation for me."
Hurley joined the Huskies in 2018 from Rhode Island. The first two seasons at UConn were not much to praise, but the team did make progress, moving from T-9th to 5th place in the ACC regular season standings.
Starting from the 2020-21 season, Connecticut switched conferences from the ACC to the Big East. Despite decent performances in the league, Dan Hurley's men could not advance past the First Round of the NCAA tournament in 2021 and 2022. He won his first NCAA championship with the Huskies in 2023 followed by his second in 2024.