Duke sues QB Darian Mensah to block transfer, cites NIL contract
Duke sued QB Darian Mensah in Durham County court to block his transfer, asserting a two-year NIL contract allegedly grants exclusive marketing rights through 2026.
Overview
Duke University filed suit in Durham County Superior Court Monday seeking a temporary restraining order to block QB Darian Mensah from transferring and enforcing a two-year NIL agreement.
The complaint says Mensah's July 2025 contract runs through 2026 and grants Duke exclusive rights to his name, image and likeness related to college football marketing.
Court hearing set for Feb. 2; reports say a judge denied Duke's request to bar Mensah from entering the transfer portal, though other restrictions were later reported by his attorney.
Mensah, who transferred from Tulane, led Duke to an ACC title and threw 3,973 yards with 34 touchdowns last season, heightening stakes in the contract dispute.
The case highlights growing legal disputes in college sports over NIL and transfers, following similar enforcement attempts involving players at Washington and Georgia this season.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present the dispute factually, citing Duke’s complaint and Mensah’s statistics while attributing evaluative phrases (e.g., “star quarterback”) to source content. They include legal context and similar cases, avoid inflammatory language, and give procedural details rather than editorial judgment, creating a balanced, neutral account.
Sources (3)
FAQ
Reports indicate the contract is worth $8 million over two years, or approximately $4 million per season.
Duke sued to enforce a two-year NIL contract through 2026, claiming Mensah repudiated it by entering the transfer portal, seeking to transfer, and breaching exclusivity terms for name, image, and likeness in college football marketing.
A judge denied Duke's request for a temporary restraining order to block Mensah from entering the transfer portal on January 21, but a hearing is set for February 2 on requests to prevent him from enrolling or playing elsewhere and licensing his NIL to another school.
Mensah transferred from Tulane, led Duke to an ACC title, and threw for 3,973 yards with 34 touchdowns last season.
The dispute highlights growing legal battles over NIL contracts and player transfers, similar to a recent case with Demond Williams Jr. at Washington, amid rapid growth in NIL deals and upcoming revenue-sharing changes.
History
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