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The University of Wisconsin announced Saturday that intends to pursue legal action after former safety Xavier Lucas skirted NCAA rules in order to complete a transfer to the University of Miami.
Lucas, a freshman, had standout season for the Badgers. He thenallegedly agreed to two-year NIL deal with the Wisconsin in December. But after doing so, Lucas decided to enter the transfer portal. The Badgers blocked the move, claiming that the Hurricanes tampered with the player. Lucas and his legal team then worked around the rules, withdrawing him from classes at UW and enrolling him as a student at Miami.
In a statement to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports, Wisconsin now claims that it has “credible information indicating” that Miami tampered with Lucas, violating NCAA rules.
Wisconsin Badgers Announce Intent To Pursue Legal Action Regarding Xavier Lucas
“Under the transfer provision used by Xavier this past week, any contact between a student-athlete enrolled at one institution and the football program to which they are transferring is prohibited per NCAA rules,” the statement reads. “We have credible information indicating impermissible contact between Xavier and University of Miami football program personnel prior to Xavier’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.”
The Big Ten then released released a statement expressing its support for Wisconsin in its legal endeavor.
“The Big Ten Conference stands in full support of the University of Wisconsin regarding the contractual agreement between student-athlete Xavier Lucas and the Wisconsin football program,” the conference wrote.
“As student-athletes became 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.”