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The NIL Era of college sports seemingly brings us something new every week, often in the form of lawsuits. That’s again the case this time around, and it centers around Florida State men’s basketball coach Leonard Hamilton. Hamilton, who is one of the longest-tenured D1 coaches in the nation, is being sued by six former players who allege he promised them each $250,000.
Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports reports that the players allege Hamilton promised them $250,000 each in NIL payment to play for the Seminoles from someone he called “business partner.” Dellenger also reports that the players boycotted a practice last season over missed payments.
The six players, none of whom are still with FSU, are: Darin Green Jr., Josh Nickelberry, Primo Spears, Cam’Ron Fletcher, De’Ante Green and Jalen Warley. Green Jr. transferred to FSU ahead of the 2022-23 season and has since graduated. Nickelberry transferred in from LaSalle last season and also graduated. Spears joined from Georgetown and is now at UTSA. He has played for four teams in four seasons.
Fletcher spent one year at Kentucky before coming to Florida State in 2021. He transferred to Xavier in the offseason. Green committed to Hamilton and FSU out of high school but is now at South Florida, while Warley did as well and is currently in redshirt at Virginia.
Text Messages Show Florida State Coach Knew About $250,000 NIL Promise
The suit alleges that Hamilton promised the money to each member of the 2023-24 team in a pair of team meetings and individual discussions with family members. The six players claim they never received any payments.
Court filings include multiple text-message exchanges between players, players and Hamilton, and between players Florida State NIL collective executive Will Cowen.
Green Jr. texted Cowen that “this money situation is weighing on a lot of guys and affecting guys on the court.” He stated that he was trying to “get the guys to understand” the delay in payment but “it’s hard when they have been told 250 grand.”
Hamilton, 76, is in his 23rd season as the head coach of the Seminoles.