UConn’s communications director, Bobby Mullen, has issued an apology to a sports reporter from Charlotte, Joey Ellis, after allegedly threatening him over a video that showed UConn coach Dan Hurley upset following the team’s recent March Madness loss. The Huskies fell to Florida 77-75 in a closely contested second-round game on March 23, 2025.
Ellis, who works for Queen City News in North Carolina, shared a video on social media that captured Hurley expressing frustration as he left the court. The video quickly gained traction, amassing over a million views. In response to the video’s release, Mullen reportedly confronted Ellis and threatened to "ruin" his life if he did not take it down.
In a subsequent update on social media, Ellis shared that he and Mullen had a conversation where Mullen apologized for his behavior, and Ellis accepted the apology. He expressed hope that the matter was resolved, stating, "life rolls on."
Mullen’s apology comes after the incident drew attention and criticism. He claimed that Ellis was in a restricted area when he filmed the video and suggested that the focus should have been on Hurley’s emotional exit alongside his seniors, rather than on his private comments directed at other coaching staff.
While Mullen did not address the alleged threat directly, it was reported that other reporters and staff members witnessed the confrontation. Both Charlotte Sports Live and Queen City News have stood by Ellis’s account of the events.
As of now, Mullen and UConn have not confirmed the details of the apology. The incident highlights the tensions that can arise in high-stakes sports environments, especially following emotionally charged moments like a tournament loss.
