The identity of the ‘big deal’ sports star that Kristin Cavallari dated has been uncovered as Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy, following her cryptic comments on a podcast last month. The pair enjoyed a single dinner date in Nashville but ultimately decided not to continue seeing each other.
After weeks of speculation, sources confirmed to Us Weekly, as reported by Page Six and the New York Post, that Cavallari and Hardy had a date arranged by their agents at CAA. Hardy flew to Nashville for the dinner, which took place ‘many months ago,’ and it was a one-time event. Cavallari first hinted at the encounter during an October episode of her ‘Let’s Be Honest’ podcast, where she described being set up with a ‘big deal’ coach but did not reveal his name at the time.
Will Hardy, 37, is in his fourth season as head coach of the Utah Jazz and previously served as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics. Despite the date being pleasant, Cavallari felt that ‘it just wasn’t right’ between them. She explained on her podcast that she typically knows after the first date if there’s a connection and decided not to pursue it further, even though she found him to be a ‘great guy’ and enjoyed their conversation.
Cavallari, 38, is no stranger to dating athletes, having been married to former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler from 2013 to 2022. The couple shares three children: Camden, 13, Jaxon, 11, and Saylor, 9. Since her divorce, Cavallari has been open about her dating life on her podcast, including a brief relationship with former NHL forward Nate Thompson earlier this year, and she has reactivated her Raya dating app account.
On the other side, Will Hardy has been divorced from Spencer Ladd Hardy for over a year, as he confirmed to Page Six. The couple, who married in 2015, have two daughters together. Hardy has maintained a low profile regarding his personal life, focusing on his coaching career with the Jazz, where he has a record of 90-169 during a rebuilding phase for the team.
The revelation of Hardy’s identity has thrust him into the celebrity spotlight, a departure from his usual focus on basketball. For Cavallari, this episode is part of her ongoing journey in dating, as she expressed on her podcast that she won’t settle for anything less than what she truly wants. This aligns with her recent break from dating to focus on her ‘Headline Tour’ for her podcast from June to August.
This news highlights the intersection of sports and entertainment, with Cavallari’s high-profile status bringing unexpected attention to Hardy’s personal life. It also underscores how modern dating among celebrities often involves professional networks like talent agencies, as seen with CAA’s role in the setup, which was influenced by matchmaker Patti Stanger’s advice to Cavallari to date coaches.
Moving forward, both individuals are expected to continue their respective careers, with Cavallari focusing on her podcast and other ventures, and Hardy leading the Jazz through the NBA season. The incident serves as a reminder of the public’s fascination with celebrity relationships and the rapid spread of such revelations in the digital age, fueled by social media and entertainment news outlets.
