The University of Miami is expected to file a motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed by the University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective, which alleged that the Hurricanes committed tortious interference, sources tell On3’s Brett McMurphy and me. The lawsuit, filed in June in a Wisconsin state circuit court, alleged that Miami interfered with […]
The University of Miami is expected to file a motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed by the University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective, which alleged that the Hurricanes committed tortious interference, sources tell On3’s Brett McMurphy and me. The lawsuit, filed in June in a Wisconsin state circuit court, alleged that Miami interfered with a binding revenue-sharing deal involving the Badgers and defensive back Xavier Lucas.
It is an unprecedented moment in college football, as one university is suing another over financial damages. Miami is now pushing back on Wisconsin’s claims. A source told On3 that Friday is the deadline for the University of Miami to file the motion to dismiss.
The University of Miami did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Lucas is not named in the complaint filed by Wisconsin; instead, cited as “Student Athlete A.” But Lucas publicly left Wisconsin for Miami this winter without ever entering the transfer portal. Lucas’ attorney previously alleged Wisconsin violated NCAA rules by not putting Lucas into the transfer portal after multiple requests.
A standout freshman cornerback in 2024 for the Badgers, Lucas posted 18 tackles and an interception in seven games. Lucas withdrew from classes at Wisconsin and enrolled at Miami in January, circumventing the NCAA’s transfer portal. Wisconsin claimed in its complaint that Miami communicated with Lucas and “knowingly induced” him.
“We are displeased that Wisconsin is suing Miami, and I have heard from other athletes who are concerned about the approach Wisconsin is taking,” Xavier Lucas’ attorney Darren Heitner told On3 in a statement on Friday. “Athletes like Xavier are watching this and are understandably worried that a school could potentially take the extra step and sue a student when the school was in the wrong for violating NCAA rules. The only issue here is that Wisconsin failed to place Xavier’s name into the transfer portal, as required, leaving Xavier with scrambling to find a solution, which was ultimately to unenroll when he felt trapped.”
In another unprecedented situation, the Big Ten publicly voiced its backing of Wisconsin for filing the suit in June, telling On3 at the time in a statement 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.”
In recent years, the college football transfer portal has come under fire from coaches due to the ease with which athletes can hit free agency. Athletes have turned the portal into a payday, too, leveraging schools against each other for the highest contract offer.
Category: General Sports
