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Duke University submitted a litigation Tuesday against star quarterback Darian Mensah in an attempt to stop him from passing the league’s plans National Collegiate Athletic Association transfer Portalaccusing him of violating his terms contract with school.
The legal action, filed in Durham County Superior Court, seeks an injunction and temporary restraining order to prevent Mensah from entering the portal and potentially joining another scheme. However, a Judge Sports attorney Darren Heitner, who represents Mensah, told reporters the bench request was denied on Tuesday ESPN.
Hytner told the media that Mensah is expected to enter the transfer portal on Wednesday despite the pending litigation. The original judge also recused himself from the case because he was a Duke basketball season ticket holder and therefore a supporter.
independent Hytner and Duke have been contacted for comment.
Mensah, who led the Blue Devils to a 9-5 record and ACC championship in the 2025 season, notified Duke head coach Manny Diaz on Friday, the final day of the NCAA portal window, of his intention to seek a transfer.
The suit focuses on a two-year name, image and likeness deal agreed to by both parties, believed to be worth up to $4 million for the coming season. Duke claims any disputes under that contract must be resolved through arbitration before Mensah can leave.
The school argued in court that Mensah breached the agreement, which ends on Dec. 31, 2026, by reversing a commitment made in December 2025 to return for the 2026 season, including obligations related to disclosing and licensing his NIL rights.
Duke’s complaint alleges that if Mensah enrolled at another institution and licensed his NIL to that school, the university’s ability to protect its contractual rights would be “effectively worthless.”
In response, Hytner said the lawsuit “should never have been filed” and said the judge not only denied Duke’s request to exclude Mensah’s name from the transfer portal, but also recused himself from future proceedings due to his status as a Duke basketball season ticket holder.
While such legal proceedings are uncommon in college sports, disputes over transfers and NIL agreements have increased in recent seasons.
Mensah, who began his college career at Tulane University before transferring to Duke University, has been linked to multiple programs on the portal, including Miami The school is reportedly interested in the ACC’s leading pass rusher.
Mensa’s rumor According to Barstool Sports reporter Liam Blutman, a move to Miami could include buying out the remainder of Duke’s contract and terminating it, a transfer package worth $10 million, housing, an Adidas deal, a full scholarship and an unpaid contract for his sister Grace, who plays soccer at the University of Oregon.