Miami guard Isaiah Wong issues NIL ultimatum

We don’t discuss Miami basketball often here at Kentucky Sports Radio, but a story about Hurricanes guard Isaiah Wong is the talk of the sport this morning. Last night, Wong’s agent Adam Papas told ESPN that the two-time All-ACC player will enter the transfer portal today if his name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation isn’t increased. Wong averaged 15.3 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game, and 2.0 assists per game as a sophomore last season, helping lead the ‘Canes to the Elite Eight.

“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.

“Isaiah would like to stay at Miami. 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.”

Florida state law doesn’t allow schools to be directly involved in NIL, so Wong’s ultimatum is aimed at billionaire John Ruiz, who has 111 deals in place or planned for University of Miami athletes with his companies LifeWallet and Cigarette Racing. Wong currently has an NIL deal with Ruiz worth $100,000, according to CaneSport.com, but recent developments have him wanting more. Last week, former Kansas State guard Nijel Pack transferred to Miami and signed a two-year, $800,000 deal (plus a car) with Ruiz. Papas negotiated Pack’s deal and also represents Baylor Scheierman, the South Dakota State star that is considering transferring to Kentucky.

“It’s a unique situation just completing Nijel Pack’s deal with Miami,” said Papas. “Understanding what John Ruiz is trying to do with the NIL space and the city of Miami, we feel the value of Isaiah Wong should meet or exceed the value of an incoming transfer.”

As you might expect, Ruiz is not pleased with Wong and Papas’ demands.

“Isaiah is under contract,” Ruiz said in a text message to ESPN. “He has been treated by LifeWallet exceptionally well. If that is what he decides, I wish him well, however, I DO NOT renegotiate! I cannot disclose the amount, but what I can say is that he was treated very fairly.”

Again, Wong and Papas are giving Ruiz — or any other company in Miami — until today to increase his NIL compensation, so we’ll find out the conclusion to this story soon. What it means for the NIL landscape, which is quickly turning into the Wild, Wild West, remains to be seen.