The NCAA could be taken to task, legally, following the ruling that saw them punish the Cavinder Twins and the University of Miami’s women’s basketball program.
The governing body of college sports hit the program with sanctions in February, suspending coach Katie Meier for introducing Hanna and Haley Cavinder to John Ruiz, who was referred to as a booster.
The twins have since hit back, calling the NCAA out in a TikTok video. And, now, the latter could face legal repercussions.
Ruiz, who is the CEO of LifeWallet, one of the Cavinders’ biggest sponsors, spoke to On3 on Wednesday in a phone interview during which he voiced an intention to file a lawsuit “within the next 10 business days.”
The businessman has denied being a booster. He is also hoping that the Hurricanes could petition for a shorter probation period on the back of the sanctions.
“The main gist of it is I’m not a booster,” he said. “Therefore, the categorization of me as a booster is legally incorrect. There has already been an agreement in place. I think the university could petition them back to shorten the probation period.”
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NCAA stories via Google! Follow Us
The NCAA views Ruiz as a booster because they reckon he fits their description, which is right below, per On3.
The NCAA defines a booster as ‘representatives of the institution’s athletic interests.’ That classification is earned by providing a donation in order to obtain season tickets, participating in an athletics program, making financial contributions to the school, providing employment for enrolled athletes, assisting in the recruitment of high school prospects or assisting in providing benefits to enrolled athletes.
Ruiz may have a hard time convincing anyone he’s not a booster as his Twitter feed is filled with Miami news, while he was involved in the recruitment of the Cavinder Twins, as well as high school quarterback Jaden Rashada, who has since joined Arizona State.
However, the fact that his company already agreed to NIL deals with the twins should work in his favor. If he’s categorized as a booster, why allow deals in the first place?
In any case, it’s going to be interesting to see how this affects the NIL program if it does go to court.
