The NBA was jolted Sunday by news that longtime agent Dan Fegan was killed in a car accident. The death of the 56-year-old, who had represented the likes of John Wall, Dwight Howard, DeAndre Jordan and DeMarcus Cousins, brought expressions of shock and sadness from players and owners, as well as the league itself.
The Colorado State Patrol said Fegan was killed when the SUV he was driving was hit by a bus as it was attempting to cross or merge onto a highway near Aspen. According to the Aspen Times, Fegan’s five-year-old son and an unidentified 29-year-old woman were airlifted to a Denver hospital with serious injuries.
“The NBA family mourns the loss of longtime agent Dan Fegan,” the league said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”
“You were a great man and a better friend. I knew I liked you since the moment we met,” the Trail Blazers’ Jusuf Nurkic wrote on Twitter. “As I saw you in your bathrobe and slippers I thought, I like this guy. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”
Fegan was among the NBA’s most powerful agents, one known for aggressive tactics when negotiating on behalf of his clients. In recent years, he reportedly began cutting back on his professional obligations to spend more time with his son, and some prominent players, including Wall, changed representation.
Last year, Fegan became embroiled in a messy split with his agency, Independent Sports & Entertainment, which fired him. The two sides filed lawsuits, with Fegan seeking $30 million in damages for fraud and intentional interference with contractual relations.
Among the NBA players who shared messages on social media Sunday was the Heat’s Dwyane Wade, who wrote, “RIP. Gone too soon!” Howard wrote, “My heart and prayers go out to the family, especially Dan’s young son who was apparently injured in this accident.”
https://twitter.com/DrewGooden/status/967962779238899712
I can’t believe you are gone. I am forever grateful for what you did for me and will never forget that. This isn’t fair but i know you are in a better place and we will have a glass of red again someday.
— Chandler Parsons (@ChandlerParsons)
Rest peacefully Dan. Forever grateful for what you did for me and my family
— Jason "The Jet" Terry (@jasonterry31)
Shocked! R.I.P. Dan
— Micky Arison (@MickyArison)
RIP Dan John. You were a close friend with a good heart. You are missed.
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban)
Dan Fegan was one of the most hard-nosed – some would say ruthless – negotiators in the game. If he had a big-time client, he wanted GMs to give them whatever cap space they had available & not a dime less. His roster was once a who's who of the game's highest paid players. RIP.
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee)
