Duke Seeks Injunction Against Quarterback Mensah in Landmark $4 Million NIL Dispute

Durham, Tuesday, 20 January 2026.
On January 19, 2026, Duke University initiated a precedent-setting legal battle by suing star quarterback Darian Mensah to block his transfer, citing a breach of a $4 million annual Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) contract. The university argues that Mensah’s entry into the transfer portal violates an exclusive rights agreement valid through December 2026, claiming his departure would cause irreparable harm to the program. With the defense asserting that universities cannot restrict student-athlete mobility, this litigation could fundamentally redefine the enforceability of commercial contracts against the backdrop of the modern transfer portal economy.