Wisconsin Badgers Sue Miami Over Football Player Tampering

NIL Deal Dispute Could Reshape College Athletics Landscape

The University of Wisconsin, along with its NIL collective, VC Connect, has initiated legal action against the University of Miami (Florida). This lawsuit alleges that Miami knowingly induced a Badgers football player to breach a lucrative NIL contract in order to play for the Hurricanes. The unusual case could set a precedent for future NIL deals in college sports.

Lawsuit Details Emerge

The lawsuit, filed on Friday in Wisconsin state court, accuses Miami of tampering. The legal filing spans 23 pages. It centers around a player identified as “Student-Athlete A,” whose situation closely mirrors that of cornerback Xavier Lucas. Lucas declared his intention to enter the transfer portal last December.

Excited to announce that I am entering the transfer portal!

— Xavier Lucas (@XavierLucas12) December 9, 2023

Darren Heitner, Lucas’s representative, previously indicated that Wisconsin hindered his ability to contact other schools. In January, Heitner confirmed that Lucas would play for Miami this fall.

“Indeed, student-athletes’ newfound NIL rights will be rendered meaningless if third parties are allowed to induce student-athletes to abandon their contractual commitments,”

— From the Lawsuit

Student-athletes can now transfer with increased freedom. In 2021, the NCAA cleared the way for athletes to secure NIL endorsement deals, with the market now worth an estimated $3 billion annually (Statista 2024).

The Core Allegations

Wisconsin stated it had credible information that Miami and Lucas had impermissible contact before the transfer. Wisconsin and VC Connect allege that the inducement occurred soon after Lucas signed his NIL agreement with the Badgers. They are seeking unspecified monetary damages. Furthermore, they want a declaration that Miami’s actions constituted tampering.

Heitner declined to comment on the suit. He affirmed that Lucas still plans to play for Miami. Wisconsin stated that it has the support of the Big Ten Conference. It emphasized its commitment to fairness in college athletics.

Related Cases and Implications

In April, the unexpected transfers of brothers Nico and Madden Iamaleava from Tennessee to UCLA also raised questions about contracts. Nico Iamaleava, who led Tennessee to the College Football Playoff last season, reportedly walked away from a $2.4 million NIL deal. Madden Iamaleava entered the portal after spring practices.

Xavier Lucas, who hails from Pompano Beach, Florida, recorded 12 tackles, an interception, and a sack as a freshman for Wisconsin last season.

The core issue in the suit: Wisconsin contends that Lucas breached a binding two-year NIL agreement. They had not placed him in the transfer portal. Heitner stated that Lucas has not received any money from Wisconsin.

Arkansas’ athletic director, Hunter Yurachek, said he would support efforts to enforce buyout clauses in athlete contracts. Madden Iamaleava reportedly had a contract valued at $500,000 when he signed with Arkansas.