Miami Hurricanes punter Lou Hedley agrees to Australian deal with Life Wallet

As a foreign student, Miami Hurricanes punter Lou Hedley has a more difficult situation to sign a Name, Image and Likeness deal. Hedley tweeted on Tuesday that Miami booster John Ruiz helped him figure out a way to add him as part of the Life Wallet team. Ruiz has secured many NIL deals for Miami athletes with Life Wallet.

Ruiz owns Cigarette Racing and Life Wallet two companies that have made his worth over $1 billion. Hedley reported he was going to be in Australia for 10 days to in his words “take care of business.” Hedley decided to return for his fourth season with Miami utilizing the extra season granted because of Covid.

No further details are currently available about the deal that Hedley and Ruiz have agreed to. Ruiz has signed 111 Miami Hurricanes athletes to NIL deals. NIL was instituted on July 1, 2021, to allow athletes to secure financial deals. Hedley needs to maximize his NIL while he can. The Australian will be 28 next season.

Hedley has become known for tattoos throughout his body. In 2020 Hedley and the Miami punt coverage unit set an FBS net punting record. Hedley was named second-team All-ACC and second-team All-American in 2020 behind Georgia Tech Punter Percy Harvin. Hedley is taking the lead for foreign athletes for NIL.

Miami has become polarizing with NIL led by Ruiz. The Hurricanes have received national attention with the NIL deals Ruiz has secured for incumbent Miami athletes and transfers. Kansas State basketball transfer Nijel pack signed a two-year deal with Life Wallet worth $800K. Ruiz has helped increased Miami’s profile.

Entering the first full offseason of collegiate athletics with NIL in existence will continue to evolve. Alums and boosters like Ruiz have become involved with some of the biggest programs nationally. Ruiz has stated he and his company are following the rules agreeing to deals and he has been vocal on social media explaining that.