Six former Florida State University basketball players have initiated legal action against head coach Leonard Hamilton, accusing him of failing to honor a promise to secure $250,000 in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation for each of them. The players involved in the lawsuit—Darin Green Jr., De’Ante Green, Cam’Ron Fletcher, Josh Nickelberry, Primo Spears, and Jalen Warley—filed their complaint in Leon County Circuit Court on Monday.
According to the 20-page lawsuit, Hamilton allegedly pledged that his “business partners” would ensure the players received substantial NIL payments. However, those payments were never delivered. The complaint, filed by Fort Lauderdale-based attorney Darren Heitner, includes detailed text-message exchanges between the players and Hamilton, which the plaintiffs claim demonstrate the unfulfilled promises.
Allegations of Broken Promises
The lawsuit outlines tensions that arose during the 2022-23 season over the unpaid NIL agreements. The plaintiffs contend that they staged a walkout during a practice session in protest of the missing payments and had planned to boycott a game against Duke on February 17. Although the players ultimately participated in the game—which the Seminoles lost 76-67—they allege that Hamilton assured them the payments would be made soon. Those assurances, according to the lawsuit, were never fulfilled.
The university has responded to the allegations, stating that it is conducting an internal investigation to determine what transpired. In its official statement, Florida State acknowledged the seriousness of the situation but emphasized that there is no current evidence of unfulfilled commitments related to scholarships, benefits, or NIL payments overseen by the university or its affiliated NIL collective, Rising Spear.
“Upon learning recently of the allegations made by former men’s basketball athletes, the university has worked diligently to determine what transpired last season,” the statement read. “Though our inquiry is not yet complete, at this point we know of no unfulfilled commitments by FSU… We support Coach Hamilton’s right to defend himself against these allegations and look forward to an expeditious resolution of this matter.”
The Players’ Current Status
None of the six players named in the lawsuit remain part of the Florida State basketball program. Darin Green Jr. and Josh Nickelberry concluded their collegiate basketball careers last spring after exhausting their eligibility. The other four players—De’Ante Green, Cam’Ron Fletcher, Primo Spears, and Jalen Warley—transferred to other programs. Spears currently plays for UTSA, Fletcher is at Xavier, Green has joined USF, and Warley is part of Gonzaga’s roster.
NIL Lawsuits Becoming a Trend
The lawsuit against Hamilton is part of a growing trend of legal battles tied to NIL agreements, which allow college athletes to profit from endorsements and sponsorships. The Florida State case echoes similar disputes across the country.
For instance, Matthew Sluka, the starting quarterback for the UNLV football team, left the program earlier this season after not receiving a promised $100,000 NIL deal. Former Florida quarterback Jaden Rashada, now at Georgia, sued Gators coach Billy Napier in 2023 over an unpaid $13 million NIL deal. Likewise, multiple Tulsa football players have accused former head coach Kevin Wilson of failing to deliver on thousands of dollars in NIL commitments.
Broader Implications for NIL Regulations
The legal challenges underscore the complexities and growing pains of NIL legislation, which has transformed college athletics since its implementation. The allegations against Hamilton raise questions about the accountability of coaches, universities, and third-party collectives in facilitating and fulfilling NIL agreements.
Hamilton, who is in the final year of his contract at the age of 76, faces increased scrutiny as his team struggles in the current season. The Seminoles hold a 9-4 record but remain winless in Atlantic Coast Conference play, with their next game scheduled against Syracuse on Saturday.
As the case unfolds, it will likely set a precedent for how NIL disputes involving coaches and athletes are resolved, potentially influencing the future of NIL governance in college sports.
