University of Wisconsin Implicates University of Miami in Transfer Portal Scandal

The University of Wisconsin is threatening to sue former defensive back, Xavier Lucas and the University of Miami after the Badgers alleged that Lucas violated NCAA transfer rules and broke his NIL contract with the school.

It is a precedent-setting battle. For years college programs have complained vaguely about the transfer portal, but few have called out specific institutions for tampering. Now, UW is putting its foot down after the suspicious timeline of events from Lucas has left the Badgers high and dry. 

According to Athlon Sports, “December 2, 2024, Xavier and Wisconsin Athletics entered into a binding two-year NIL agreement.”

At an unspecified later date, Lucas requested to enter the transfer portal, “but the Badgers refused to allow him to enter his name in the portal.”

On Friday, Lucas announced he had withdrawn from the University of Wisconsin, was enrolling at the University of Miami, committed to play for the Hurricanes and all without entering the transfer portal.

In response to that timeline of events, the University of Wisconsin said in a statement it had “credible information indicating impermissible contact between Lucas and University of Miami football program personnel prior to Lucas’s request to enter the transfer portal. Direct interference with another institution’s committed player and contractual interests is prohibited by NCAA tampering rules and the law.”

Despite what UW believes to be a clear violation of the rules, the NCAA released its own, short, statement. It said, “NCAA rules do not prevent a student-athlete from unenrolling from an institution, enrolling at a new institution and competing immediately.”

Lacking support from the NCAA, the Big Ten jumped in with its own statement, supporting the Badgers. “As student-athletes become active participants in revenue sharing, it is critical that agreed-to obligations be respected, honored, and enforced. In light of current laws and association rules, information suggesting tampering and contract interference in this case by the University of Miami is very troubling.”

UW said it will, “continue to review facts as they unfold in this matter and will evaluate all options going forward to determine the appropriate course of action.”