NC State opens probe into LSU over coach Wade buyout

North Carolina State University is investigating potential legal claims against Louisiana State University related to the departure of men's basketball coach Will Wade last March, according to university correspondence obtained this week. The inquiry centers on whether LSU improperly induced Wade to leave Raleigh and whether the timing of his move was manipulated to reduce his contractual buyout.

N.C. State Vice Chancellor and General Counsel Allison B. Newhart outlined the investigation in a letter sent to LSU General Counsel Carlton Jones last Thursday. The letter, first reported by local media, states that N.C. State is reviewing whether LSU "improperly induced Coach Wade to breach his Employment Agreement" and "interfered with the timing of termination of the Employment Agreement to result in lower liquidated damages." A key element of the review is whether LSU's actions violated North Carolina's Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, a state law that can allow for financial damages and recovery of attorney fees.

Wade left N.C. State after just one season to return to LSU, where he had previously coached from 2017 to 2022. His resignation was communicated via his agent on...