Miami, Cavinder Twins Subject of First NIL Infractions Ruling

Ross Dellenger and Pat Forde of SINow Report Violations From The Recruitments of Cavinder Twins

Over the last year, Miami has been a hot name in terms of leaders in the Name Image and Likeness space. Lead by billionaire businessman John Ruiz, his company LifeWallet has provided numerous collegiate athletes with NIL deals.

Friday, Ross Dellenger and Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated broke news that women's basketball transfers Haley and Hanna Cavinder are the center of the NCAA's first NIL infractions ruling.

NEWS: In its first NIL infractions ruling, NCAA sanctions Miami WBB for violations in the recruitment of Haley & Hanna Cavinder.

As recruits, Cavinders dined at booster John Ruiz’s home. Ruiz’s tweet that night drew NCAA attention

From @ByPatForde & me - https://t.co/84AVs5ZJzO pic.twitter.com/hzK6G1BW9A

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) February 24, 2023

The Cavinder twins are known for being two of the top NIL earners and faces of collegiate sports. The twins have deals with companies such as Champs Sports, PSD, and so forth -- making them two of the most marketable athletes in the space.

Reports reveal that the Cavinder twins came across violations in their recruiting process, which played a part with women's basketball head coach Katie Meier serving a three-game suspension to start the season. Additionally, a dinner provided by Ruiz was labeled as a "recruiting inducement."

The suspicions of their recruiting process was made aware to the NCAA after Ruiz posted a photo to his Twitter account of the Cavinder twins and parents at his estate while the twins were still in the portal publicly in April.

Wishing the Cavinder twins all the best in their quest to find their next home to play basketball. Amazing young ladies as well as mom and dad. @CavinderHaley @CavinderHanna @johnnyruiz4 @alex7ruiz @cristinaeruiz pic.twitter.com/yr0Cz0XsLk

— John H. Ruiz, CEO LifeWallet and Attorney at Law (@JohnHRuiz) April 14, 2022

The penalties are reported to be mild, but is the first case of an NIL infraction ruling since the inception of NIL in 2021. The penalties were as follows according to SI:

- One-year probation, which could result in more severe sanctions if the program violates rules during that time.

- A $5,000 fine plus 1% of the women’s basketball budget.

- A 7% reduction in the number of official visits during the 2022–23 academic year.

- A reduction of nine recruiting days in 2022–23.

- A three-week probation on recruiting communications by staff members starting with the opening of the transfer portal on March 13.

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