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- UM’s Isiah Wong is demanding increased compensation in NIL deals and is threatening to leave the school.
- Miami Billionaire booster John Ruiz fired back at Wong.
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UM’s Isaiah Wong feels like he’s being underpaid in his NIL deals and is now playing hardball with Miami boosters.
On Thursday night, ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported that Wong is threatening to enter the transfer portal if his NIL compensation isn’t increased.
Miami's Isaiah Wong will enter the NCAA transfer portal tomorrow if his NIL compensation isn't increased, his agent Adam Papas told ESPN. "Isaiah would like his NIL to reflect that he was a leader of an Elite Eight team." Story: https://t.co/8GU8eJm9fp
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 29, 2022
Via ESPN
Miami Hurricanes guard Isaiah Wong will enter the transfer portal on Friday if his name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation isn’t increased, his NIL agent, Adam Papas of NEXT Sports Agency, told ESPN on Thursday.
“If Isaiah and his family don’t feel that the NIL number meets their expectations they will be entering the transfer portal tomorrow, while maintaining his eligibility in the NBA draft and going through the draft process,” Papas said.
Wong, a two-time all-ACC player and the second-leading scorer on a Hurricanes team that reached the NCAA tournament’s Elite Eight, declared for the draft earlier this week.
“Isaiah would like to stay at Miami,” Papas said. “He had a great season leading his team to the Elite Eight. He has seen what incoming Miami Hurricane basketball players are getting in NIL and would like his NIL to reflect that he was a team leader of an Elite Eight team.”
Billionaire Miami booster John Ruiz, who signed Wong to a NIL deal to promote his company LifeWallet, says he will not renegotiate the deal college basketball star’s deal.
"Isaiah is under contract," billionaire John Ruiz told ESPN. "He has been treated by LifeWallet exceptionally well. If that is what he decides, I wish him well, however, I DO NOT renegotiate! Surprises me because there are so many players that would love to play for the U!" https://t.co/CFI1VeVUZj
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 29, 2022
It’ll be interesting if Florida regulators will look into Wong’s actions.
On the Wong-NIL mess: Under Florida law, "such compensation may not be provided in exchange for athletic performance." His agent telling @flaportsbuzz Wong "would like his NIL to reflect that he was a team leader of an Elite Eight team" seems problematic.https://t.co/kYM1ncqcjA
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) April 29, 2022