The NCAA issued its first ruling in an NIL violation case against the University of Miami during a dinner shared by two women’s basketball players and a backup.
Twins Hanna and Haley Cavinder, who are also TikTok stars, met Hurricanes booster John Ruiz, CEO of LifeWallet and co-owner of Cigarette Racing, at his Miami home on April 13, 2022.
They transferred to the school from Fresno State eight days later.
The meeting between the Cavinders and Ruiz was described as «impermissible contact» because boosters are not allowed to provide potential athletes with any undue benefit. The chef-prepared dinner was considered a recruiting «incentive.»
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Haley Cavinder, left, and Hanna Cavinder announce sponsorships with Boost Mobile through Icon Source on July 1, 2021 in New York City. (John Lamparski/Getty Images)
Miami head coach Katie Meier was found to have hosted the dinner, violating the «head coach’s responsibility.» He served a suspension the first three games this season, and the school was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and another payment of 1% of the program’s budget.
«The investigation did not develop any facts directly linking name, image and likeness-related activities to recruiting or prospects’ decision to enroll at the University of Miami,» the IOC said. [Committee on Infractions] wrote in his report. «However, during its review, the panel was concerned by the limited nature and severity of the institutional sanctions agreed to by Miami and law enforcement personnel, i.e., the absence of a decoupling of the reinforcement involved…
Haley Cavinder, left, and Hanna Cavinder of the Miami Hurricanes warm up before a game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at the Petersen Events Center on January 1, 2023 in Pittsburgh. (G Fiume/Getty Images)
«While the parties asserted that a disengagement penalty would be inappropriate based on a disallowed meal and disallowed contact, today’s new NIL-related environment presents a new day. Drivers are engaged with prospects and student-athletes in ways the NCAA membership has never seen.» or found. Thus, addressing the impermissible reinforcing conduct is critical, and the disengagement sanction presents an effective sanction available to the IOC.»
«So the NCAA allows schools to tell students about NIL opportunities and says UM can’t? These girls decided where to go, no one else did for them,» Ruiz said. he said in a tweet.
«Also the Cavinder Twins are the face of NIL. We are in the US, the constitution protects the ability to hire. After researching for months and finding nothing, they had to create something. If it affected our businesses, I would go after the NCAA. The NCAA will eventually disappear!»
Haley Cavinder (14) and Hanna Cavinder (15) of the Miami Hurricanes speak on the court after defeating the Clemson Tigers at the Watsco Center on February 16, 2023 in Coral Gables, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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Ruiz has spent $10 million in NIL money, with the twins earning seven figures. Their joint TikTok account has 4 million followers. They have partnerships with Champs and Victoria’s Secret.
Haley leads the Hurricanes in scoring at 12.8 points per game, while Hanna is averaging 3.8 points.