NCAA official announcements or policy documents

Six Former FSU Players Sue Coach Hamilton Over Unpaid $1.5M NIL Promises, Boycotted Practice Before Duke Game

Dec 30, 2024, 04:07 PM

Six former Florida State men's basketball players have filed a landmark lawsuit against head coach Leonard Hamilton, alleging that he failed to fulfill a promise to secure each of them $250,000 in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation from his business partners. The lawsuit, filed on Monday, claims that Hamilton promised a total of $1.5 million, which the players never received. In protest over the unpaid NIL compensation, the players reportedly boycotted a practice before a game against Duke last season. Attorney Darren Heitner, representing the players, stated his goal is to obtain relief for the athletes and to prompt accountability in the NIL space. Among the plaintiffs are former players Darin Green Jr., Jalen Warley, and Primo Spears. This lawsuit may signal broader issues in college athletics regarding NIL agreements and could lead to similar actions at other institutions.