Overview
- A Durham County Superior Court judge denied Duke’s request for a temporary restraining order from the bench and recused himself, with a written order expected.
- Duke’s lawsuit says Mensah’s multiyear contract gives the school exclusive use of his name, image and likeness with respect to higher education and football through Dec. 31, 2026, with reported terms around $4 million per year.
- The university has invoked mandatory arbitration under the contract and is seeking court relief to preserve the status quo until an arbitrator rules, with further hearings expected before a different judge.
- Mensah entered the transfer portal on Jan. 16 and posted a public farewell; his attorney argues the contract does not bar portal entry and says the court should not restrain athlete movement.
- Multiple outlets report Miami as the likely landing spot if Mensah transfers, and ESPN reported Hurricanes backup Emory Williams entered the portal on Tuesday.