In a text conversation with Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Hurricanes alum John Ruiz is still pleased with the return on investment (ROI) he has received from the athletic department. Jackson contacted Ruiz following the 45-31 loss by the Miami football team to Middle Tennessee State on Saturday.
Ruiz has invested over $7 million with over 100 Miami athletes since name, image and likeness was instituted on July 1, 2021. Ruiz stated that the ROI for his companies, Cigarette Racing and Life Wallet is not tied to wins and losses. Miami has to move past the loss and focus on the future.
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal has said about the same. The Hurricanes have a bye week before beginning ACC play on October 8. Led by Ruiz, Miami has been at the forefront of NIL deals. Miami basketball player Nijel Pack who transferred from Kansas State reportedly signed an $800,000 NIL deal.
In addition to the NIL deals, Ruiz has been vocal on social media about a new stadium for the Miami football program in Tropical Park. The stadium also likely doesn’t depend on wins and losses. There are many outside factors that determine NIL and the potential for a new stadium.
FIRST LOOK: The Miami Hurricanes have proposed a 60,000-seat stadium in Tropical Park, per @FOS. pic.twitter.com/IslrIybfLr
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 24, 2022
"“No, not at all…It’s working very well for us. Our ROI [return on investment] isn’t tied to wins and losses. Adversity always brings out the best in those that overcome. One loss doesn’t define a career or in [this] case the make up of a team. It is what happens from here on out that does.”"
Ruiz has received a lot of media attention this year for various NIL deals that include Pack, Miami women’s basketball players Haley and Hana Cavinder and dozens of others. Miami needs more positivity around the program as Ruiz demonstrates. There has been a renewed dedication to the Hurricanes in the last 10 months.
When Miami went in a new direction following the 2021 season, Cristobal was hired with a 10-year $80 million contract. Miami had dedicated a renewed emphasis on the football program with university president Julio Frenk allowing the most funds during his tenure. Ruiz will be a key figure in the Miami football program in the future.