Six former Florida State basketball players have sued their former coach, Leonard Hamilton, alleging that he failed to deliver on a promise to pay them $250,000 in name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation.
Suit Filed in Leon County Circuit Court
The players, including Darin Green Jr., De’Ante Green, Cam’Ron Fletcher, Josh Nickelberry, Primo Spears, and Jalen Warley, filed the lawsuit on Monday in Leon County circuit court. Their attorney, Fort Lauderdale-based Darren Heitner, shared the 20-page complaint with The Associated Press.
Allegations of Missed Payments
The former players claim that Hamilton promised them the money from his “business partners,” but they were never paid. According to the suit, the players walked out of a practice last season over the missed payments and intended to boycott a February 17 game against Duke. However, they ended up playing in the game, which the Seminoles lost 76-67, after Hamilton guaranteed them payment, but it never materialized.
Text Messages Included in the Lawsuit
The complaint includes multiple text-message exchanges between the players and some between the players and Hamilton.
Background on the Case
The six players are no longer with the team. Green and Nickelberry exhausted their college eligibility last spring, while the four others transferred to other schools. Spears is now at UTSA, Fletcher is at Xavier, De’Ante Green is at USF, and Warley is at Gonzaga.
Growing Trend of NIL Legal Battles
The lawsuit is the latest in a growing number of NIL legal battles. Other notable cases include:
* Matthew Sluka, a starting quarterback for the UNLV football team, left the program after three games in September due to a $100,000 NIL deal that was never paid.
* Former Florida quarterback signee Jaden Rashada, now playing at Georgia, sued Gators coach Billy Napier last year over an unpaid $13 million NIL deal.
* Several Tulsa players claim they were never paid thousands in NIL commitments made by former coach Kevin Wilson.
Conclusion
The lawsuit highlights the complexities and challenges surrounding NIL compensation for college athletes. As the landscape continues to evolve, it is essential for coaches, universities, and athletes to have a clear understanding of their responsibilities and obligations.
FAQs
Q: What is name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation?
A: NIL compensation refers to the payment or benefits received by athletes for the use of their name, image, and likeness.
Q: Who is Leonard Hamilton?
A: Leonard Hamilton is the head coach of the Florida State University men’s basketball team.
Q: What is the purpose of the lawsuit?
A: The lawsuit seeks compensation for six former Florida State basketball players who claim they were promised $250,000 in NIL compensation by Coach Hamilton but were never paid.
Q: What is the current status of the lawsuit?
A: The lawsuit is ongoing, and no trial date has been set.
