A few hours ago, the University of Wisconsin filed a groundbreaking lawsuit against the University of Miami, accusing the Hurricanes of tampering with one of their top talents, cornerback Xavier Lucas.
Ranked as the No. 1 transfer cornerback by 247Sports, he left Wisconsin for Miami earlier this year, sparking a legal battle that could reshape how Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and player transfers are handled in the sport. Fans’ reaction stating: “poverty school up in Madison” emerged as a taunt from some corners, reflecting a perception that Wisconsin is clinging to outdated control in a player-driven era.
The Allegations: Wisconsin’s Bold Move to Protect Its Assets
Wisconsin claims Miami crossed a line by allegedly contacting Lucas while under a binding revenue-sharing contract, a deal signed in December 2024. The Badgers, backed by the Big Ten Conference, argue that a Miami coach and a prominent alumnus visited Lucas at his Florida home, offering a more lucrative package to lure him away.
The lawsuit, detailed in court documents obtained by Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger, seeks unspecified damages and aims to enforce contractual obligations in an era where NIL has turned college sports into a high-stakes marketplace.
Lucas, a true freshman in 2024, showed promise with 18 tackles, one sack, and an interception at Wisconsin, per ESPN. Despite not officially entering the portal, his departure in January this year has fueled the Badgers’ claims of foul play. Miami, meanwhile, has remained silent on the allegations, leaving the college football fan to dissect the unfolding drama.
BREAKING: Wisconsin is suing Miami for tampering and getting one of the Badgers’ players to transfer.
The Canes took Xavier Lucas, the No. 1 ranked transfer cornerback according to 247Sports, from Wisconsin back in January. pic.twitter.com/aYCvbuEO2n
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) June 20, 2025
According to Yahoo Sports, he signed a revenue-sharing agreement on Dec 2, 2024, which included anti-tampering language. This contract, part of a template distributed by the Big Ten, granted the university nonexclusive rights to use Lucas’s NIL in promotions while prohibiting commitments to other schools.
Wisconsin alleges that Miami’s actions violated NCAA bylaws, which require schools to respect such agreements. The Badgers further claim Lucas had a separate NIL deal with their collective, adding another layer to the legal fight.
Lucas requested to enter the transfer portal in December, but Wisconsin denied the request, citing his contractual obligations. Days later, he allegedly met with Miami representatives, which led to his eventual enrollment at the Hurricanes in January.
ESPN reports that Lucas’s attorney, Darren Heitner, has defended his client, arguing that Wisconsin’s refusal to release him into the portal violated NCAA rules mandating a two-business-day processing window.
The lawsuit has give rise to a lot of reactions across the college, with fans weighing in on the ethics and implications. Wisconsin supporters see it as a defense against predatory recruiting, pointing to Miami’s history of leveraging its South Florida pipeline, a region known for producing elite talent.
On the flip side, Miami faithfully argues that players should be free to choose their path, especially when better opportunities arise.
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