PJ Haggerty’s commitment to Kansas State has turned his father into college basketball’s latest cautionary tale. The former Memphis star’s dad became a social media punching bag after his aggressive NIL demands backfired leaving the consensus All-American guard with limited options.
What began as ambitious positioning for maximum value, ended in public mockery across the NCAA community. The transfer saga highlighted how overreaching in negotiations can damage reputations and cost millions, as Haggerty settled for significantly less than his father’s original asking price of $4 million.
Social Media Roasts Haggerty’s Father Over Failed NIL Strategy
Basketball analyst Jeff Goodman led the criticism with his pointed assessment. “Trust me. I am not saying to always go with an agent (there are some bad ones out there) but PJ Haggerty’s dad probably should have hired a good one in this case” Goodman tweeted about the mishandled negotiations.
Trust me. I am not saying to always go with an agent (there are some bad ones out there), but PJ Haggerty’s dad probably should have hired a good one in this case.
Overplayed his hand and wound up with in the neighborhood of $2.5 million for a team that didn’t make tourney last… https://t.co/95et0fOtBp
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) May 26, 2025
The Haggerty camp’s strategy of demanding $4-5 million eliminated most suitors. Multiple top programs including Ole Miss and Memphis dropped out when faced with unrealistic financial expectations. Even schools with substantial NIL budgets resisted at the asking price for a college basketball player.
Kansas State emerged as one of few remaining options who were willing to negotiate. The Wildcats secured PJ’s commitment with a deal reportedly worth $2 million base plus up to $500000 in incentives. This figure represented significant reduction from original demands highlighting limited options.
The criticism stemmed from Haggerty’s father demanding extraordinary NIL figures between $4-5 million for his son.
Reports indicated the father served as primary negotiator directly contacting schools with strict financial requirements. Beyond the excessive monetary demands he also insisted on guarantees that PJ would be the primary point guard. These unrealistic expectations eliminated top-tier suitors, forcing Haggerty into Kansas State’s arms.
The basketball community’s reaction was swift and unforgiving as details of the failed negotiations became public.
Social media users delivered harsh critiques with one post capturing the sentiment stating “Dudes Dad screwed him and now he’s stuck in middle of nowhere Kansas.” The comment highlighted how the father’s demands had limited his son’s options to less desirable destinations.
Dudes Dad screwed him and now he’s stuck in middle of nowhere Kansas 🤣
— Philip Rivers Burner (@PRivers1Fan) May 26, 2025
A different post added harsh criticism stating “Bros dad made him the Nico of college bball.” This reference compared Haggerty’s situation to other high-profile transfer failures.
KEEP READING: NCAA Insider Reveals Truth Behind PJ Haggerty’s Transfer To Kansas State After Initial $4,000,000 Transfer Portal Demand
Bros dad made him the Nico of college bball
— Memfus (@Memfus10) May 26, 2025
Another user expressed similar frustration declaring “Daddy Haggerty blows a bag. How unfortunate”.
Daddy Haggerty blows a bag. How unfortunate
— Trace (@TMcgradyR) May 26, 2025
One user noted “This is what happens when you let your dad do the negotiating.”
This is what happens when you let your dad do the negotiating
Poor guy
— doeren’s burner (@c0ldslaw) May 26, 2025
Another delivered perhaps the most damning assessment posting “Example 10000000 of don’t let family play agent” summarizing widespread frustration with amateur representation tactics.
Example 10000000 of don’t let family play agent
— Philip Rivers Burner (@PRivers1Fan) May 26, 2025
The settlement became a cautionary tale about overplaying one’s hand in the NIL era. Despite Haggerty’s impressive 21.7 points 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game the market rejected his father’s valuation. What could have been bidding war devolved into desperate search.
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