The Wisconsin Badgers released a condemning statement after suffering the Xavier Lucas setback as he went to Miami. But apart from that and urging the NCAA to take action against Miami, the Badgers didn’t do much for months. But it was expected that the controversy would finally result in a lawsuit, and that’s exactly what happened. So, now that Wisconsin has filed the lawsuit against Miami seeking “unprecedented financial damages,” Xavier Lucas’s attorney has given Lucas’s stance on the whole issue.

The lawsuit came after the NCAA had shown no inclination to interfere in the matter and simply sent out a message citing NCAA rules. “NCAA rules do not prevent a student-athlete from unenrolling from an institution, enrolling at a new institution, and competing immediately,” said an NCAA spokesperson earlier to Yahoo Sports. But despite the statement, Wisconsin wanted to set a legal precedent prohibiting poaching in college football, and they went ahead with the lawsuit.

The lawsuit stemmed mainly from the issue that Lucas had signed a revenue-sharing contract with Wisconsin on a two-year deal and was set to come into effect on July 1st, 2025. However, before that could happen, Lucas requested the program to transfer, which the program denied. So Lucas, in turn, stopped attending classes and later transferred to Miami without entering the portal. Wisconsin now alleges in its lawsuit that Miami contacted Lucas even before he transferred, which constituted tampering and poaching, prohibited by the NCAA rules. Though they have kept Lucas out of the lawsuit, Lucas’s lawyer still clarified his stance.

“Wisconsin’s allegations that my client, Xavier Lucas, met with a Miami coach and prominent alumnus in December 2024 are false,” Xavier Lucas’s attorney Darren Heitner told On3. Earlier, too, Lucas, through his attorney, had denied the allegations by Wisconsin and said that the contract cited by Wisconsin was just a memorandum of understanding, which was contingent on the approval of the House v NCAA settlement. Heitner also noted that Wisconsin hadn’t paid any money to Lucas yet, and thus, the program doesn’t owe a reimbursement. Wisconsin’s stance on the whole issue is quite different.

Wisconsin, on the other hand, has maintained that they have “credible evidence” linking Miami’s representatives to having impermissible contact with Xavier Lucas even before the player had requested to enter the portal. The program is citing tortious liability on the part of Miami to interfere with their financial arrangements with Lucas. As for Lucas’s transfer request, the program said the request was “inconsistent” with the mutual understanding between the parties. Notably, though, for Miami, the development is big since the B1G has also come out with a statement.

Big 10 issues statement for Wisconsin in their lawsuit against Miami

The lawsuit filed by Wisconsin hits the core of the issue, which pertains to the whole ecosystem of tampering and poaching in college football. Earlier, too, we have seen programs like Michigan being accused of such acts, although the hearings are still going on and no decision has been handed over yet by the NCAA. So, while the NCAA moves at a snail’s pace, the Big 1o has come out with a statement supporting Wisconsin in its legal battle.

“The Big Ten Conference is aware of the litigation recently filed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison against the University of Miami and is supportive of UW-Madison’s position. As alleged, the University of Miami knowingly ignored contractual obligations and disregarded the principle of competitive equity that is fundamental to collegiate athletics. The Big Ten Conference believes that the University of Miami’s actions are irreconcilable with a sustainable college sports framework and is supportive of UW-Madison’s efforts to preserve it,” said the Big 10 in their official statement. The development has dampened the relationship between Miami and the Big 10 and the prospects of the ACC program joining the conference.

Before the lawsuit was filed, Miami was one of the top candidates to join the Big 10, looking to follow in the footsteps of USC, UCLA, and Oregon. The Big 10 was also leaning towards including them, as they had a significant media market and a national brand of college football. Moreover, it was also because of the high revenue the move promised from the $7 billion media deal of the Big 10. So, that way, Miami could have earned $70 million per year as opposed to the $40 million they are earning right now. But now with the development and the relationship souring, the plans will surely be on the back burner now.