Six Former Florida State Basketball Players Sue Legendary Coach Over Unpaid NIL Compensation

A group of former Florida State Seminoles basketball players has filed a lawsuit against their former coach, Leonard Hamilton. over unpaid promises to compensate NIL totaling up to US$1.5 million;

The lawsuit, which was filed in Leon County Circuit Court in Florida. There are six former Seminoles who have claimed Hamilton. who is a 37-year-old head coach with careers at Oklahoma State and Miami. before taking over at Florida State in 2002, promising them $250,000 each in NIL payments through “business partners,” per Yahoo Sports.

Plaintiffs include Darin Green Jr., Josh Nickleberry, Primo Spears, Cam’Ron Fletcher, D’Ante Green and Jalen Worley.

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Primo Spears, number 23 guard for Florida State. Chat with Seminoles Head Coach Leonard Hamilton. against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the second half at Capital One Arena. (Jeff Berg-USA Today Sports)

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However, the lawsuit states that the players were never paid. This is despite Hamilton making his promises public during two team meetings. Including private conversations with some players and their families.

In fact Some players transferred to the Seminoles program under the guarantee that they would receive NIL compensation.

The case also provides a text link between players. The same goes for the thread between the player and Hamilton, Will Cowen, an executive for one of Florida’s NIL groups. Also in the group message with the player.

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What makes this case even more interesting is that the players claim that they “Walked out of the gym” during practice before the team’s February 2, 17 game against Duke due to dissatisfaction with unpaid NIL money. They also claim that they are going to boycott the game. Hamilton, though, discovered the plan and allegedly told players the money would be in their accounts next week.

Florida State eventually played the game, losing to Duke 76-67.

Florida State Seminoles head coach Leonard Hamilton is on the sideline against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second half at McCamish Pavilion. (Brett Davis-USA Today Sports)

“We support Coach Hamilton’s right to defend himself against these allegations. We look forward to a speedy resolution of this matter,” the university said in a statement. Via ESPN–

This case may have never happened before. But this isn’t the first time fans have heard about NIL compensation, which is the foundation of rights between players and programs.

There’s Matthew Sluka at UNLV, who abruptly left the Packers as the starting quarterback because his coach allegedly promised him a $100,000 NIL deal that was never received. Then there’s former Florida Gators quarterback Jaden Rashada, who Filed suit against head coach Billy Napier for unpaid NIL payments of $13 million he was promised during his recruitment.

In this case, four players transferred from Florida State due to lack of compensation. while the other two are no longer eligible to play at the collegiate level.

Florida State Seminoles head coach Leonard Hamilton looks on the LSU Tigers during the first half at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. (Stephen Lew-Imagn photo)

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“Every player on the 2023-24 FSU men’s basketball roster relies on a promise Hamilton made when they decided to transfer to FSU or remain enrolled at FSU and play. off-season,” the suit said, via Yahoo Sports. “However, As the season goes on Many players, including the plaintiff Extremely frustrated by the continued failure to deliver on the numerous promises issued by Hamilton.”

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