$1.5 Million NIL Scandal Hits Florida State Basketball

Feb 7, 2025

By Joseph M. Ricco IV

Six former Florida State University basketball players have filed a lawsuit against head coach Leonard Hamilton, alleging he failed to fulfill verbal promises of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) payments totaling $1.5 million. The players claim Hamilton promised $250,000 each, sourced from his “business partners,” in exchange for their commitment to the program during the 2023-2024 season. Furthermore, the lawsuit accuses Hamilton of breach of contract, fraudulent misrepresentation, and negligence, marking a pivotal moment in the evolving NIL scene. This article explores the details of the allegations, examines their potential impact on Florida State University, and explores the implications for college sports and athlete compensation.

Allegations Against Coach Hamilton

The lawsuit filed by former Florida State University basketball players Darin Green Jr., Josh Nickelberry, Primo Spears, Cam’Ron Fletcher, De’Ante Green, and Jalen Warley alleges that head coach Leonard Hamilton promised each of them $250,000 in Name, Image, and Likeness compensation during the 2023-2024 season. According to the complaint, these verbal promises were made during recruitment meetings and reinforced throughout the season. Hamilton assured the players that the money would come from his “business partners” rather than an NIL collective or Florida State itself. The plaintiffs claim they relied on these promises when deciding to either join or remain with the team, only to find that the payments were never made.

Tensions reportedly escalated as the season progressed. By February 2024, with no payments received, the players threatened to boycott a practice and a pivotal game against Duke University. Hamilton allegedly responded by reiterating his commitment to deliver the promised funds the following week, urging the team to stay focused and continue playing. Trusting their coach’s word, the players participated in the Duke game, which Florida State ultimately lost. However, the promised payments failed to materialize, leaving the athletes frustrated and financially strained.

The players’ legal claims include breach of contract, promissory estoppel, fraudulent misrepresentation, and negligent misrepresentation. They argue that Hamilton’s repeated assurances constituted enforceable verbal agreements under Florida law, which were relied upon to their detriment. The complaint also highlights text messages between the players, Hamilton, and Will Cowan, an executive from Florida State’s NIL collective, to demonstrate the promises made and the players’ growing concerns about their validity. These texts, the plaintiffs contend, corroborate their claims and provide key evidence of Hamilton’s verbal commitments.

Florida State University has denied any wrongdoing and stated that it is conducting an internal investigation. The school emphasized its commitment to compliance and ethical conduct in the NIL era, noting that it has no knowledge of unfulfilled commitments by the Rising Spear collective or the university. Meanwhile, Hamilton has remained silent on the matter, leaving many questions unanswered about the allegations and the broader implications for the university and its athletic program.


Implications for the University

The lawsuit against coach Leonard Hamilton raises significant concerns for Florida State University, both legally and reputationally. While the university is not directly named as a defendant, the allegations implicate broader questions about its oversight and handling of NIL agreements within its athletic programs. If the claims are proven, it could suggest a failure to enforce compliance protocols, particularly regarding promises made by staff members outside formal NIL collectives. This could lead to increased scrutiny from both the NCAA and public stakeholders, potentially damaging the university’s credibility in recruiting and retaining top-tier athletes.

Moreover, the case threatens to cast a shadow over the Florida State basketball program, which has already struggled in recent seasons. Allegations of unfulfilled promises could become a negative recruiting tool for rival schools, impacting the program’s ability to attract high-level talent in a competitive NIL landscape. The university may also face pressure to reevaluate its policies and communication practices related to NIL to create clearer boundaries between individual promises and collective agreements.

The Bigger Picture

Overall, this case highlights the growing challenges in college sports during the NIL era, where unclear promises and verbal agreements can create significant conflicts. The lawsuit reveals how close Florida State’s basketball team came to what may have been the first known NIL-related game boycott, with players nearly sitting out a February 2024 matchup against Duke over unpaid compensation. While the boycott was avoided after coach Leonard Hamilton allegedly reassured the players, the situation demonstrates the increasing pressure university personnel potentially face when financial promises aren’t kept.

For college sports as a whole, this near-boycott shines a light on the urgent need for more structured NIL agreements and better oversight. Without clear national regulations, schools, coaches, and athletes are left navigating an incomplete rulebook, increasing the potential for disputes. This case serves as a reminder that NIL opportunities, while beneficial, also bring new complications that institutions must address to protect both their programs and their athletes.

In closing, this lawsuit is a warning for everyone involved in college athletics. Athletes must prioritize getting agreements in writing and seek professional guidance when navigating NIL deals. At the same time, coaches and schools need to understand that verbal promises carry weight and can have serious consequences if not fulfilled. As NIL continues to reshape college sports, this case could become a turning point, influencing how universities and athletes handle compensation and accountability in the years ahead.

Joseph M. Ricco IV is a junior sport management and government double major at the University of Texas at Austin. Joseph is actively involved as a Texas Longhorns football recruiting operations intern and currently works with Pro Football Focus as a data collector. He also has experience as a training camp operations intern with the Kansas City Chiefs. Joseph aims to leverage his sports management and legal knowledge to pursue a career in football administration.

References

Plaintiffs’ Complaint, Green v. Hamilton, Case No. (TBA), Second Judicial Circuit, Leon County, Florida, filed December 30, 2024.

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