The University of Wisconsin has filed a lawsuit against the University of Miami, alleging that the Hurricanes broke the law by tampering with freshman defensive back Xavier Lucas’s transfer decision. The lawsuit centers on a financial contract between Lucas and his school, which prohibits him from making commitments to enroll or play sports at other schools.
According to the complaint, a Miami staff member and prominent alumnus offered Lucas money to transfer after he signed a two-year contract with Wisconsin last December. The school claims that Miami’s actions constitute tortious interference and knowingly compelled Lucas to break his deal.
The lawsuit is an effort to enforce contractual obligations and maintain a level playing field in college athletics. It comes as schools prepare to begin paying athletes directly via name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals starting July 1.
Wisconsin had expected Lucas to remain part of its football program until the contract ended, but some contracts between Big Ten schools and players explicitly state that athletes are not being paid to play for their university. It is unclear whether a judge will consider it fair to enforce a part of the contract dictating where the player attends school.
The Big Ten conference has expressed support for Wisconsin’s decision to file the lawsuit, stating that Miami’s actions are “irreconcilable with a sustainable college sports framework.”
Source: https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/45552578/wisconsin-sues-miami-tampering-football-transfer