The University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective VC Connect filed a joint lawsuit on Friday against the University of Miami alleging it knowingly induced one of the Badgers’ football players to abandon a lucrative name, image and likeness contract to play for the Florida school this upcoming season.

Allegations of tampering rarely get to this level and the 23-page lawsuit, which was filed in state court in Wisconsin and obtained by The Associated Press, is unusual. Depending on its resolution, it could have a wider impact on future NIL deals across college athletics.

The player in question in the filing is referred to only as “Student-Athlete A.” But the case summary describes facts that line up with the situation involving cornerback Xavier Lucas, who last December announced his plans to enter the transfer portal.

Shortly afterward, Darren Heitner, who has been representing Lucas, indicated that Wisconsin was refusing to put Lucas’ name in the portal and that it was hindering his ability to talk with other schools. In January, Heitner announced that Lucas would be playing for Miami this fall.

Baseball

Raleigh breaks Bench’s record >> Cal Raleigh broke Hall of Famer Johnny Bench’s 1970 record for home runs by a catcher before the All-Star break, hitting his major league-leading 28th and 29th in the Seattle Mariners’ 9-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

Raleigh put Seattle ahead and moved past Bench in the seventh inning with No. 29, a drive to the back of the left-field bleachers off Caleb Thielbar.

Raleigh sent his first homer just over the basket in the first off Matthew Boyd.

Raleigh needed only 73 games to break the record that Bench set in 87 games. The Seattle star shattered the mark with 22 games to spare before the All-Star game.

Padres reliever Suarez suspended 3 games >> San Diego Padres reliever Robert Suarez was suspended for three games and fined an undisclosed amount for intentionally hitting Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers with a pitch in the ninth inning Thursday night.

Suarez appealed the suspension.Padres manager Mike Shildt and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also received one-game suspensions and undisclosed fines.

Pirates’ Santana suspended 4 games >> Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Dennis Santana was suspended four games and fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball, a day after he was involved in an altercation with a fan.

Santana is appealing the decision by the league and can continue to play while the situation is being reviewed.

During the second game of the Pirates’ doubleheader with the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, Santana was in the bullpen when he was seen at one point leaping and swiping at the person.

“You guys know me — I’m a calm demeanor type of person,” Santana said after the game through an interpreter. “I’ve never had any issues for any of the teams I’ve played for. This guy crossed the line a few times.”

Santana declined to disclose what the fan said.

Dodgers announce $1M donation >> The Los Angeles Dodgers have donated $1 million to assist families impacted by two weeks of immigration raids in Southern California.

The defending World Series champion Dodgers also said that they intend to form partnerships with the California Community Foundation, the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor and other organization to continue providing aid to immigrant families.

The Dodgers announced the steps in a five-paragraph news release that was delicately worded to avoid potentially inflammatory political terms, and which stopped short of an explicit condemnation of the federal policy. The team said only that the financial aid would be provided “for families of immigrants impacted by recent events in the region.”

Angels manager out indefinitely >> Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington will be out indefinitely because of health issues, and bench coach Ray Montgomery managed the series opener against the Houston Astros.

Washington, 73, experienced shortness of breath and appeared fatigued toward the end of a four-game series against the Yankees. He was cleared by Yankees doctors to fly home with the team Thursday night and underwent a series of medical tests.

General manager Perry Minasian announced Washington’s status before the game. The Angels did not specify what symptoms Washington is experiencing, but said the manager was able to address the team in the clubhouse along with Minasian, and he was planning to watch the game from the GM’s Angel Stadium suite.

Sosa returns to Wrigley Field >> Legendary Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa returned to Wrigley Field for the first time in more than 20 years before Chicago’s afternoon game with the Seattle Mariners.

Sosa, who is set to be inducted into the Cubs’ team Hall of Fame this year, arrived at the iconic North Side ballpark in a black SUV. He was greeted by owner Tom Ricketts, who embraced him in a hug as he exited the vehicle.

Sosa became the face of the Cubs franchise where he played 13 seasons after coming in a trade from the crosstown White Sox in March 1992. A seven-time All-Star, Sosa hit 545 homers in 1,811 games with the Cubs and hit a franchise-record 66 in 1998 when he was named the NL’s MVP.

Soccer

Liverpool signs Germany midfielder Wirtz >> Liverpool delivered a huge statement of intent after winning the Premier League title by signing Germany star Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.

The transfer fee could climb to $156 million, which would make the 22-year-old Wirtz the most expensive player in the history of British soccer.

Liverpool, determined to not stand still after securing a record-tying 20th English top-flight title, has splashed out a club record to bring in not only one of the best players from Germany, but one of the top youngsters in the world.

Durant buys minority stake in PSG >> NBA star Kevin Durant has purchased a minority stake in Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain, the French club said.

Qatar Sports Investments, PSG’s majority shareholder, signed an investment and strategic partnership agreement with Durant, the club said in a statement.