Two hours after quarterback Madden Iamaleava entered the transfer portal Tuesday, Arkansas athletics director Hunter Yurachek rattled his saber.
It didn't matter whether the statement was directed at the brother of superstar Nico Iamaleava, because the message was clear: pay your NIL buyout or face legal action.
Players enrolled at schools across the country in January and cashed NIL checks, only to enter the transfer portal and leave the school in the spring before ever playing in a game. At schools like Arkansas, buyout language in NIL deals is now common. Though the NIL era is only a few years old, players reneging on deals may soon lead to legal battles pitting schools against athletes.
It didn't matter whether the statement was directed at the brother of superstar Nico Iamaleava, because the message was clear: pay your NIL buyout or face legal action.
Players enrolled at schools across the country in January and cashed NIL checks, only to enter the transfer portal and leave the school in the spring before ever playing in a game. At schools like Arkansas, buyout language in NIL deals is now common. Though the NIL era is only a few years old, players reneging on deals may soon lead to legal battles pitting schools against athletes.
