University of Miami being threatened with lawsuit from Arkansas State
Some of the best moments around the sports world last fall happened when athletes and teams pulled together in light of natural disasters — specifically in Florida and Houston, which were ravaged by floods caused by hurricanes.
Apparently, the good feelings are officially gone.
The University of Miami football team was scheduled to visit Arkansas State on Sept. 9. But because Hurricane Irma was on its way, the Canes stayed home to brace for the worst.
Now, the Red Wolves want to be compensated for the missed game — to the tune of $650,000.
ASU general counsel Brad Phelps sent a letter to his counterpart at Miami, giving the school a deadline to settle the difference, or go to court.
“Unless Miami changes course on or before Feb. 15, 2018, we will begin the process of filing a lawsuit against the University of Miami in the appropriate Arkansas state court,” Phelps wrote.
The two schools were scheduled for a home-and-home series, with Arkansas State visiting Coral Gables in 2014.
Because of the hurricane, Miami was unable to return the favor this past season.
Miami is willing to reschedule the trip sometime between 2024 and 2028, but ASU wants it done no later than 2021.
Miami insists that’s not possible because of previous scheduling agreements, but Arkansas State doesn’t believe that to be true.
To make matters worse, ASU says it offered to move the game up by a day and let Miami players and coaches stay in local hotels after the scheduled game.
Miami declined both offers.
Hurricanes athletic director Blake James spoke to CBS Sports, and it doesn’t sound like there’s going to be a resolution any time soon, saying Miami was “willing to come back” to Arkansas State, but because of its schedule, such a trip would have to be “a few years” out.
“I am aware of Arkansas State’s position on this matter,” James said. “We believe strongly in our standing and will not comment further as both parties’ attorneys bring this to resolution.”
Looks like Hurricane Irma still has the potential to cause some damage, especially if this dispute ends up in court.
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