Latest news with #UniversityOfMiami
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Miami Facing Groundbreaking NIL Lawsuit Over Alleged Player Tampering
Miami Facing Groundbreaking NIL Lawsuit Over Alleged Player Tampering originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The ever-evolving world of college athletics, particularly NIL, may have reached a legal tipping point. The University of Miami now finds itself at the center of a groundbreaking lawsuit filed by the University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective, focused on alleged tampering involving cornerback Xavier Lucas. Advertisement According to a report from Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger, the University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective filed a complaint in state circuit court, claiming 'tortious interference' by Miami. The complaint alleges that the Hurricanes made impermissible contact with Lucas while he was still under contract with Wisconsin. This is believed to be the first legal action of its kind directly tied to NIL-era tampering. Wisconsin cornerback Xavier Lucas (6) is shown during the first quarter of their game against South Dakota Saturday, September 7 , 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel At the heart of the case is Lucas, a South Florida native who signed a new contract with Wisconsin in December before transferring to Miami in January, without formally entering the NCAA transfer portal. The Badgers allege that Miami knowingly engaged with Lucas despite his existing agreement, which resulted in him breaching that deal and transferring. 'Miami interfered with UW-Madison's relationship with Student-Athlete A by making impermissible contact with him and engaging in tampering,' the suit reads, with Wisconsin seeking 'unspecified damages, transparency, and accountability.' Advertisement Whether the courts agree remains to be seen. However, legal experts and college football insiders believe this case could set a precedent for how tampering is defined and enforced moving forward. For now, Lucas remains eligible to play for the Hurricanes this fall, where he's expected to make an immediate impact on a secondary that allowed the sixth-most passing touchdowns per game in the ACC last season. Lucas was 247Sports' 20th overall player and first-ranked cornerback in the transfer portal this offseason. His addition was viewed as a major win for new Hurricanes defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman's defense, and it now carries potentially significant off-field implications. As the NIL era continues to evolve, Miami's role in this case could shape how schools recruit, retain, and protect their athletes and navigate the legal lines surrounding NIL, player contracts, and tampering. The Hurricanes have not yet issued a public statement on the lawsuit. Related: Rookie QB Cam Ward's Surprising Trash Talk Highlights His Confidence at Titans OTAs This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
21 hours ago
- Climate
- New York Times
Critical Hurricane Monitoring Data Is Going Offline
The National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration has said that in the next few days it will stop providing data from satellites that have been helping hurricane forecasters do their jobs for decades, citing 'recent service changes' as the cause. The satellites are jointly operated by NOAA and the Department of Defense as part of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program. They are old, dating to the early 2000s, but they have reliably helped improve hurricane forecasting for decades. The data will be halted by Monday, June 30, the agency said, without giving further explanation. 'This is an incredibly big hit for hurricane forecasts, and for the tens of millions of Americans who live in hurricane-prone areas,' said Michael Lowry, a hurricane specialist in South Florida who has worked at the National Hurricane Center and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The satellites orbit the poles and use microwave radiation to peer inside a hurricane to reveal changes in a storm's structure. This information is critical for accurately predicting the path of storms and detecting hurricane intensification, particularly at night. The satellites are not being decommissioned, but their data will no longer be received, processed or stored. Satellites can't last forever and are eventually retired, but it is not clear that is the case here, said Andy Hazelton, a hurricane modeling expert at the University of Miami. 'We don't want to have less data for no reason,' he said. NOAA did not respond to a request for comment. Forecasters rely on various satellite-based tools to monitor tropical cyclones and hurricanes and predict their behavior. Observations of cloud tops and precipitation bands help forecasters see how a storm is moving and spreading. Come nightfall, microwave observation satellites work like forecasters' night-vision goggles. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
UM students recount harrowing escape from Israel amid missile strikes
Nearly two dozen University of Miami students who were trapped in Israel on Jewish heritage trips are back home safe. "I still am processing all of this and how to feel. I'm so glad to be back here in America, but my heart is still in Israel and with all of my brothers and sisters out there," said Ariella Green. Green was among the group of UM students who were trying to get out of Israel as missile strikes between Israel and Iran escalated. All flights to and from the country were canceled. "We drove to one of the ports in Tel Aviv and we took a boat to Cyprus and Cyprus had about 1000 kids trying to get in and stamp passports and all that," Green said. From Cyprus they were able to fly home through Europe to MIA on Sunday. "We had students from FSU with us, students from UCF, USF, U Miami, it was all of us together and it just that connection that we formed were all trauma bonded now forever," Green said. Her mother, Elizabeth Green, said she is happy to have her daughter home with her in Boca Raton. "I was so elated it was so elated it was just pure joy," Elizabeth said. "I never wanted her to be frightened there, so I always tried to be reassuring to her in the scariest of times. I was very scared." After having to rush to the bomb shelters multiple times, Ariella said it was just a taste of normal life in Israel. "The fear of like, oh my gosh it's off, get your shoes on, get your bag and let's go and make sure everyone is accounted for, that was scary," Ariella said.
Washington Post
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
Wisconsin lawsuit accuses Miami of tampering to nab football transfer
The University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective filed a complaint in state circuit court against the University of Miami on Friday, claiming tortious interference in a dispute over former cornerback Xavier Lucas, according to documents obtained by The Washington Post. Wisconsin claims Miami tampered with its revenue-sharing agreement with Lucas, who left the school in January to enroll at Miami. The lawsuit — for unspecified damages — highlights questions over how schools can enforce tampering within revenue-sharing agreements following the House v. NCAA settlement's June 6 approval, which permitted colleges to directly pay athletes for the first time. 'After reviewing all facts and evaluating options, the university today filed a complaint in Wisconsin state court outlining our allegations against the University of Miami,' the school said in a statement to The Washington Post. 'While we reluctantly bring this case, we stand by our position that respecting and enforcing contractual obligations is essential to maintaining a level playing field.' Lucas established himself as a standout defensive back during his freshman season, playing in all 12 of the team's games and becoming a starter by year's end. The Pompano Beach, Florida, native had being earning 'substantial compensation' for his name, image and likeness from Wisconsin's collective starting last June, and by December, the school and the collective each offered him an NIL contract in a bid to retain his services, according to the 23-page lawsuit. Through his contract with the school, Lucas's compensation — 'one of the largest NIL financial commitments of any [Wisconsin] student-athlete' — would begin in July 2025, conditioned on the court's approval of the House settlement. His deal with the collective would pay him during the period before his university contract took effect. The former agreement gave Wisconsin exclusive license to Lucas's NIL rights for two years. Per that contract, the school said Lucas 'warranted that he had not previously made, and would not make, any agreement that conflicted with' the university contract and that he 'further represented that he would not make any similar commitment to enroll at or compete in athletics for another college or university.' Lucas asked Wisconsin on Dec. 17 to enter his name in the transfer portal and publicly stated his intentions to transfer two days later. His attorney told Yahoo Sports that Lucas requested the transfer after learning that his father suffered a 'serious, life-threatening illness.' Wisconsin — which had 48 hours to submit Lucas's name to the portal, per NCAA rules — did not, sparking a standoff with Lucas. On Dec. 27, he wrote in a since-deleted social media post, 'At the moment Wisconsin is refusing to release me into the transfer portal. I've met all NCAA requirements of the transfer portal process. I've yet to be put into the transfer portal by Wisconsin which is impeding my ability to speak with schools.' Other schools may not contact an athlete until their name has been added to the portal. The December transfer portal window closed Dec. 28. Lucas formally left Wisconsin on Jan. 13 and said he was academically enrolling at Miami. Days later, Wisconsin released a statement saying its 'binding' agreement with Lucas was violated, adding, 'We have credible information indicating impermissible contact between Xavier and University of Miami football program personnel prior to Xavier's request to enter the transfer portal.' Wisconsin's lawsuit claims that Miami had impermissible contacts with Lucas throughout December and January; that the school offered a more lucrative 'compensation commitment' to lure him from Wisconsin; and that Miami representatives facilitated Lucas's January enrollment after the deadline for spring transfer enrollment had passed. 'Miami knowingly induced [Lucas] to abandon his contractual commitments to Plaintiffs,' it said. 'Miami's actions are in direct contravention of not only the NCAA's established anti-tampering rules … but also established contract and tort law.' Miami did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication. Lucas's attorney, who has denied allegations of tampering, declined to comment, citing the fact that Lucas is not a defendant in the lawsuit. Wisconsin is seeking damages because it claims Miami's alleged tampering caused it to 'suffer substantial pecuniary and reputational harm,' including the 'loss of a student-athlete with valuable NIL rights' and the 'loss of financial benefits [Wisconsin] stood to receive from [Lucas's] continued participation in its football program.' The collective is claiming a loss of financial and promotional benefits that it anticipated receiving. Lucas recorded 18 tackles, one sack, one interception and two pass breakups last season. Miami enters the fall having added Lucas and three other cornerbacks from the portal to its transfer class, which 247 Sports ranked third nationally.
New York Times
20-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Wisconsin files lawsuit against Miami, alleging tampering led to Xavier Lucas' transfer
The University of Wisconsin and its name, image and likeness collective sued the University of Miami on Friday, alleging it interfered with what it said were binding NIL revenue-sharing contracts with former cornerback Xavier Lucas. The lawsuit, filed Friday in Dane County (Wis.) Circuit Court, alleges Miami made 'impermissible contacts with (Lucas) and his representatives this past December and January, leading to Lucas' withdrawal from Wisconsin and enrollment at Miami. Advertisement 'As a result of Miami's actions, (Lucas) abruptly left UW-Madison's football program and enrolled at Miami, causing plaintiffs to suffer substantial pecuniary and reputational harm,' the lawsuit states. The lawsuit, which Yahoo Sports first reported on, does not name Lucas but refers to him as 'Student-Athlete A.' The suit adds another layer to the power struggle between schools, conferences and athletes, as athletes sign NIL deals but abandon those contracts to enter the transfer portal. The House v. NCAA settlement, which will allow schools to directly compensate athletes through revenue sharing for the first time, was approved June 6. For months, schools have signed players to revenue-sharing deals contingent on the settlement's approval, with the intention it would eliminate tampering and slow player movement. The two-year revenue-share agreement Lucas signed shortly after the end of his freshman season in Madison was set to begin July 1, the first day schools can begin directly compensating athletes. In January, Wisconsin released a statement accusing Miami of tampering, citing 'credible information' and threatening to pursue legal action. The Big Ten backed Wisconsin in a statement Friday. 'As alleged, the University of Miami knowingly ignored contractual obligations and disregarded the principle of competitive equity that is fundamental to collegiate athletics,' the Big Ten said. 'The Big Ten Conference believes that the University of Miami's actions are irreconcilable with a sustainable college sports framework and is supportive of UW-Madison's efforts to preserve it.' A Miami representative declined to comment on the report of Friday's lawsuit because the school had not been served papers yet. Wisconsin is seeking unspecified damages in the lawsuit, as well as 'a declaration that Miami's conduct directed towards (Lucas) constituted tampering.' Lucas unenrolled from Wisconsin after school officials denied multiple requests from him and his attorney, Darren Heitner, to place his name in the transfer portal during the 20-day winter window (Dec. 9-28). Wisconsin maintains it told Lucas and his mother it would not put his name into the portal because of the two-year NIL contract he signed in December. Advertisement In the lawsuit filed Friday, Wisconsin alleges Miami's 'wrongful conduct' led to Lucas' reaching out to a Wisconsin assistant coach on the evening of Dec. 17 — two days after returning home to South Florida for winter break — and asking to be placed in the transfer portal. A day later, Lucas 'offered a personal, family-related reason for wanting to enter the transfer portal' in a text message. Three days later, however, a relative of Lucas' contacted a Wisconsin coach and provided information 'inconsistent with his family-related rationale for seeking to transfer,' the lawsuit says. The lawsuit alleges Lucas told his position coach before heading home for winter break that he had been contacted by other schools to enter the portal but 'reaffirmed that he was committed to UW-Madison.' Wisconsin said it obtained information indicating that Miami had impermissible contact with Lucas and his representatives on multiple occasions in December and January, including sending a coach and 'prominent Miami alumnus' to Lucas' South Florida home; and offering him a 'more lucrative' compensation package than the one Wisconsin was paying him. Lucas enrolled in classes at Miami in January and participated in the Hurricanes' spring football practice in March and April. The sophomore, who had 18 tackles as a freshman, is expected to be one of Miami's best defensive players this fall. The NCAA said in January that its rules 'could not prevent a student-athlete from unenrolling from an institution, enrolling at a new institution and competing immediately.' Wisconsin, though, was not punished for keeping Lucas' name out of the portal. 'Enforcement is shaky — schools can block portal entry, even if it is against NCAA rules, as seen with Lucas,' Heitner told The Athletic earlier this month. 'Wisconsin appears to have escaped punishment, at least for the time being, despite the clear rules violation.' Advertisement Wisconsin's lawsuit also alleges Miami's conduct toward Lucas was not an isolated event but part of a broader pattern of Miami's tampering with student-athletes. 'Now more than ever, it is imperative to protect the integrity and fundamental fairness of the game, including in connection with NIL contracts,' the lawsuit states. 'Indeed, student-athletes' newfound NIL rights will be rendered meaningless if third parties are allowed to induce student-athletes to abandon their contractual commitments.' — The Athletic's Chris Vannini contributed to this report.
