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The popular Cavinder Twins have reacted to the NCAA punishing their team and coach for violating NIL rules.
On Friday, it was revealed that Miami’s women’s basketball coach Katie Meier was suspended for three games after she introduced the Haley and Hanna Cavinder to Miami billionaire booster John Ruiz.
The NCAA issued its first ruling in a name, image and likeness infractions case Friday, wading into what until now had been uncharted waters in terms of rules enforcement. While a head coach was suspended and other minor institutional penalties assessed, an involved booster escaped sanctions—an outcome that left the Committee on Infractions itself conflicted.
A case involving Miami women’s basketball players Haley and Hanna Cavinder reached a negotiated resolution that resulted in a three-game suspension for Hurricanes coach Katie Meier, which she served at the beginning of the 2022-23 season. The Cavinder twins, who are social media sensations with a vast following, were not sanctioned—which is consistent with the NCAA’s stance that it does not plan to penalize athletes themselves for NIL-adjacent infractions.
Perhaps most significantly, prominent Miami booster John Ruiz, who violated rules by contacting the Cavinders and providing an impermissible meal, was not disassociated from the program
Apparently, a photo Ruiz posted having dinner with the Cavinder twins got Miami in trouble.
NEWS: In its first NIL infractions ruling, NCAA sanctions Miami WBB for violations in the recruitment of Haley & Hanna Cavinder.
As recruits, Cavinders dined at booster John Ruiz’s home. Ruiz’s tweet that night drew NCAA attention
From @ByPatForde & me – https://t.co/84AVs5ZJzO pic.twitter.com/hzK6G1BW9A
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) February 24, 2023
Miami WBB coach Katie Meier facilitated the meeting between Cavinders & Ruiz, NCAA says.
Meier was suspended for first 3 games of this season. Other UM WBB sanctions:
– 1-yr probation
– fine of $5K + 1% of WBB budget
– reduction in OVs & recruiting dayshttps://t.co/84AVs5ZJzO— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) February 24, 2023
The Cavinder twins reacted to the NCAA’s sanctions in a TikTok video with the caption “dear NCAA, scared that female athletes have value?.”
@cavindertwins dear NCAA, scared that female athletes have value? 🤥 #fyp #basketball #foryou