Duke University took the unprecedented legal step of filing a lawsuit against star quarterback Darian Mensah to enforce the strict restrictive covenants and exclusivity clauses embedded within his multi-million-dollar Name, Image, and Likeness contract. After putting together a record-setting season in Durham, Mensah sought to enter the NCAA transfer portal and explore a high-profile move to conference rival Miami. Duke argued that allowing him to breach his binding contractual commitments would inflict severe financial, reputational, and competitive damages on the university's football program.