Latest news with #XavierLucas
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.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wisconsin suing Miami football for tampering in historic NIL case
This battle has gone from the gridiron to the courtroom. The University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective, VC Collect, filed a historic lawsuit Friday alleging the University of Miami broke the law in poaching one of its football players, according to multiple reports. Advertisement Both Yahoo and ESPN called it a 'first of its kind' attempt to involve courts in the honoring of a financial deal between a university and an athlete. Xavier Lucas during a 2024 game. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images While the lawsuit does not mention a specific player, calling him 'Student Athlete A,' the lawsuit reportedly is in line with the maneuverings of former Badgers freshman defensive back Xavier Lucas. Lucas left Wisconsin and enrolled at Miami in January despite Wisconsin not placing him in the transfer portal and after signing a two-year revenue-sharing deal with the school beginning July 1, per Yahoo. Wisconsin alleges Miami committed 'tortious interference' after a Hurricanes staffer and a 'prominent' alum met with Lucas and his family in Florida and offered financial compensation to head to the ACC school despite knowing of his deal with Wisconsin, per ESPN. Advertisement The lawsuit alleges that Wisconsin's revenue-sharing deal prohibits a player from transferring to another school to continue playing sports, although ESPN noted that similar Wisconsin contracts make it clear the individual is not being paid to play football but is being compensated for NIL. Wisconsin's mascot, Bucky. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images The Badgers reportedly stated in the lawsuit that they hope this will help the integrity of college sports and hold programs legally accountable if they interfere with athletes' commitments. Yahoo reported that Wisconsin in seeking unspecified financial damages with the filing. '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,' Wisconsin said in a statement to ESPN. Lucas' attorney, Darren Heitner, told ESPN that the athlete is not being sued directly, and added to the Associated Press that his client still intends to play football for Miami this upcoming season. Advertisement He posted on X in January that Wisconsin violated NCAA rules by not placing Lucas in the transfer portal and that the school had not paid its player any money, meaning Lucas did not owe them any compensation. Lucas, a native of Pompano Beach, Fla., tallied 18 tackles across 11 games last year for the Badgers. He is considered one of the top corner transfers in this year's class. The Big Ten is supporting its conference member's efforts. Miami's mascot, Sebastian the Ibis, from 2011. AP 'The Big Ten Conference is aware of the litigation recently filed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison against the University of Miami and is supportive of UW-Madison's position,' the league said in a statement, according to On3. '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 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.' This lawsuit comes right after the landmark court ruling that schools can start paying their student athletes directly beginning July 1.
CNN
7 days ago
- Sport
- CNN
Wisconsin, NIL collective sue Miami, allege tampering and NIL inducements to land football player
The University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective VC Connect filed a joint lawsuit on Friday against the University of Miami alleging it knowingly induced one of the Badgers' football players to abandon a lucrative name, image and likeness contract to play for the Florida school this upcoming season. Allegations of tampering rarely get to this level and the 23-page lawsuit, which was filed in state court in Wisconsin and obtained by The Associated Press, is unusual. Depending on its resolution, it could have a a wider impact on future NIL deals across college athletics. The player in question in the filing is referred to only as 'Student-Athlete A.' But the case summary describes facts that line up with the situation involving cornerback Xavier Lucas, who last December announced his plans to enter the transfer portal. Shortly afterward, Darren Heitner, who has been representing Lucas, indicated that Wisconsin was refusing to put Lucas' name in the portal and that it was hindering his ability to talk with other schools. In January, Heitner announced that Lucas would be playing for Miami this fall. The situation is fallout from the rapid changes engulfing college athletics, specifically a combination of two things: Athletes went to court and won the ability to transfer with much more freedom and the 2021 NCAA decision clearing the way for them to strike NIL endorsement deals now worth millions of dollars. That has changed the recruiting landscape and forced the issue of contracts and signed commitments to the fore. 'Indeed, student-athletes' newfound NIL rights will be rendered meaningless if third parties are allowed to induce student-athletes to abandon their contractual commitments,' a portion of the lawsuit reads. Wisconsin said in January that it had credible information that Miami and Lucas made impermissible contact with each other before the former Badgers cornerback decided to transfer. Wisconsin and VC Connect allege that the inducement for Lucas to attend Miami happened within days of him entering his NIL agreement to play for the Badgers, and that they incurred substantial monetary and reputational harm. The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages and 'a declaration that Miami's conduct directed towards Student-Athlete A constituted tampering.' A message left with the University of Miami seeking comment was not immediately returned. In a text message Friday, Heitner declined to comment on the lawsuit but he said that Lucas still plans to attend Miami and play football. Wisconsin said it had the support of its leadership and the Big Ten Conference in filing the lawsuit, noting its commitment to 'ensuring integrity and fundamental fairness in the evolving landscape of college athletics.' '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,' the statement said. 'In addition to our legal action, we will continue to be proactive to protect the interests of our student-athletes, our program and the broader collegiate athletics community. Lucas, who is from Pompano Beach, Florida, had 12 tackles, an interception and a sack as a freshman for Wisconsin last season. Heitner said that Lucas hasn't received any money from Wisconsin and therefore owes no money to the school. Heitner also argued that Wisconsin had violated an NCAA bylaw by not entering Lucas into the transfer database within two business days of the player's request. Wisconsin issued a statement at the time saying it hadn't put Lucas' name in the portal because he had entered a two-year binding NIL agreement. In April, the surprise transfers of brothers Nico and Madden Iamaleava from Tennessee to UCLA prompted fresh questions about contracts and buyouts. Nico Iamaleava, who led Tennessee to the College Football Playoff last season, walked away from a reported $2.4 million NIL contract. Arkansas freshman quarterback Madden Iamaleava entered the portal after spring practices wrapped up. Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek released a statement indicating he would support efforts by the Razorbacks' NIL collective to enforce buyout clauses in athlete contracts. Iamaleava reportedly had a contract valued at $500,000 upon signing with Arkansas.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Miami Hurricanes Potential Playoff Berth in 2025 Hinges on Just one Player
Miami Hurricanes Potential Playoff Berth in 2025 Hinges on Just one Player originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Miami Hurricanes defense, specifically their pass defense, failed not only coach Mario Cristobal, but they also failed the fans by missing a chance to win the ACC title and earn a berth in the expanded college football playoff in 2024. Advertisement But Cristobal addressed that issue in this offseason by raiding the transfer portal for talented players that can defend against the pass. According to Carter Bahns of the one player that is the x-factor for the Hurricanes to make the playoffs this season is, surprisingly, transfer cornerback Xavier Lucas. Lucas recorded just one INT to go with 18 tackles and two pass breakups at Wisconsin a season ago. Wisconsin Badgers cornerback Xavier Lucas (6) celebrates with cornerback Max Lofy (12) following an Hanisch-USA TODAY Sport With that said, the x-factor is not Lucas at all. That moniker should fall squarely on the shoulders (and the surgically repaired throwing elbow) of former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck. Advertisement Beck passed for over 3,400-yards a season ago. He also threw 12 interceptions, eight of which were thrown over three consecutive games. Beck transferred after suffering the season-ending elbow injury. Then, Miami swooped in with millions and lured Beck to Florida. After an offseason of injury rehab and way-too-many distractions, Beck must step up and show what he can do at the most important position on the field during fall camp and during the season. Anything less than a conference championship and a playoff berth in 2025 will be a bust for the Hurricanes. Related: For Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes, Trouble Could Be Ahead in 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Reuters
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Wisconsin sues Miami over transfer tampering in a legal first
June 21 - The University of Wisconsin sued the University of Miami on Friday, formally accusing the Florida school of tampering with a football player under a financial contract with the Badgers. The decision to sue could become a watershed moment in the current era of college athletics. Never before has a university accused another of tampering with one of its athletes, who did not have contracts before the dawn of name, image and likeness rights this decade. "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," the school said in a statement provided to ESPN on Friday. Though Wisconsin's lawsuit only refers to the player as Student Athlete A, the subject of the case is cornerback Xavier Lucas, who left Wisconsin and enrolled at Miami over the winter without ever entering the transfer portal. It was reported at the time that Wisconsin refused to put Lucas' name in the transfer portal. Lucas signed a two-year contract with the Badgers in December 2024 -- a deal that gave the football program nonexclusive rights to use his NIL but also prohibited him from committing to enroll or participate in athletics at another school. Lucas enrolled at Miami in January. Wisconsin's lawsuit alleges that a Miami staffer and a prominent alumnus of the school met with Lucas and his family and offered him money to transfer. --Field Level Media
