Wisconsin CFB Sues Miami for Poaching Xavier Lucas While Under NIL Contract

The University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective are suing the University of Miami for allegedly poaching cornerback Xavier Lucas after he signed a revenue-sharing contract with the program, according to court documents obtained by Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger.

Lucas transferred to Miami in January despite not entering his name in the transfer portal. He indicated on social media in January that Wisconsin had blocked him from entering the portal, according to the Associated Press.

According to Dellenger, Wisconsin is now “seeking unspecified damages, transparency and accountability from Miami for allegedly interfering with a binding revenue-share contract.”

In the lawsuit, Wisconsin claimed that Miami talked to Lucas while knowing he had already signed a contract with the Badgers.

Dellenger noted that the lawsuit could create precedent for new NCAA tampering rules in the revenue-sharing era.

The NCAA said in an initial statement after Lucas’ transfer that “NCAA rules do not prevent a student-athlete from unenrolling from an institution, enrolling at a new institution and competing immediately.”

Wisconsin responded with a statement that Lucas and the Badgers athletic program “entered into a binding two-year NIL agreement” with “substantial financial compensation” on Dec. 2.

The university said at the time that the contract “remains in effect and enforceable.”

According to Dellenger, the contract was set to kick in on July 1, when schools can begin directly sharing revenue with students for the first time.

The contract was written on a template shared with schools by the Big Ten, according to Dellenger. The contracts grant schools player’s non-exclusive NIL rights and prohibit NIL usage from other schools, but still permits the athlete to sign third-party marketing deals, Dellenger reported.

Wisconsin additionally claimed in January that Lucas had “executed a separate agreement” with the university’s NIL collective.

The university went on to say it had “credible information indicating impermissible contact between Xavier and University of Miami football program personnel prior to Xavier’s request to enter the transfer portal.”

Wisconsin then said in a statement shared with Dellenger after filing the lawsuit this month that the university had “reluctantly” pursued legal action and would not be suing Lucas.

The Big Ten meanwhile supported Wisconsin, saying in a statement to Dellenger that “we stand by our position that respecting and enforcing contractual obligations is essential to maintaining a level playing field.”

Dellenger previously reported in January that Darren Heitner, Lucas’ attorney, “had planned to file suit against the NCAA and Wisconsin over antitrust claims related to the situation” had his client not been allowed to transfer to Miami.

A federal judge signed off on the landmark House v. NCAA settlement in June, paving the way for revenue sharing with college athletes and changes in how NIL deals are processed.

NCAA president Charlie Baker said in a statement at the time that there would be more NCAA rule adjustments to come. The result of Wisconsin’s lawsuit could spark more updates in what will be a 2025-26 season full of change for college sports.