Overview

• Fitzgerald’s wrongful-termination lawsuit, filed in October 2023, sought more than $130 million following his July 2023 firing over hazing findings.
• Neither side disclosed terms of the agreement, and Fitzgerald said he was satisfied and chose to settle to end strain on his family.
• Statements from Fitzgerald and the university say discovery identified hazing yet did not show he was told of it or that he condoned or directed it.
• Northwestern says it has implemented new training and reporting protocols intended to prevent future abuse in its athletic programs.
• The settlement follows spring deals with groups of former athlete plaintiffs and arrives months before a November trial date set in the case.