Nico to UCLA, House Settlement Update, Oweh's Draft Safety Net, & More | Newsletter #320
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THIS THURSDAY NEWSLETTER INCLUDES:
Nico Iamaleava Transfers to UCLA Amid NIL Dispute
$2.8B NCAA Settlement Faces Legal Scrutiny
Otega Oweh Declares for NBA Draft, Keeps Eligibility
Nebraska Football Faces NIL Challenges
Utah’s Cam Rising Launches Athlete Collective
Legal Updates and What’s Coming Up for NIL
🏆 Major News
Nico Iamaleava Transfers to UCLA Amid NIL Dispute
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava is transferring to UCLA following a dispute over his $8 million NIL deal, signaling one of the biggest quarterback transfers of the NIL era.
Iamaleava helped lead the Volunteers to a 10–3 season and a College Football Playoff appearance in 2024, finishing with 2,830 passing yards and 24 touchdowns.
The quarterback’s move is reportedly tied to concerns about the structure and payout schedule of his multi-million-dollar NIL agreement with a Tennessee-based collective.
At UCLA, he will enter a quarterback competition that includes senior Ethan Garbers and App State transfer Joey Aguilar.
The development highlights the increasing legal and financial complexity of large NIL contracts and their enforceability.
Tennessee’s coaching staff released a brief statement wishing Iamaleava well, without directly addressing the NIL situation.
👉 Click here to learn more
$2.8B NCAA Settlement Faces Legal Scrutiny
A proposed $2.8 billion settlement allowing schools to share revenue with athletes is being reviewed by U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken, who presided over the landmark O'Bannon and Alston cases.
The agreement includes nearly $2.78 billion in back pay for former athletes who competed prior to the implementation of NIL rules.
Legal experts warn the deal could trigger Title IX challenges and cause major roster upheaval across non-revenue sports.
The settlement would allow revenue-sharing to begin as early as 2025–26, but its approval is not guaranteed.
If approved, the deal would represent the largest financial shift in NCAA history, setting the stage for a professionalized collegiate model.
Wilken’s decision is expected in the coming weeks, with potential appeals likely to follow.
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Otega Oweh Declares for NBA Draft, Keeps Eligibility
Kentucky guard Otega Oweh has entered the 2025 NBA Draft while preserving his NCAA eligibility, leveraging new NIL rules that allow greater flexibility for underclassmen.
Oweh averaged 14.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game and is considered a fringe second-round prospect by several scouts.
By maintaining eligibility, Oweh can attend the NBA Combine and receive evaluations without jeopardizing a potential return to Kentucky.
His NIL earnings at Kentucky have reportedly exceeded six figures through partnerships with local brands and regional sponsorships.
If he returns, he’s expected to anchor a backcourt that’s already undergone heavy offseason turnover.
His move mirrors a growing trend among athletes seeking to test professional interest while retaining NIL income potential in college.
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📌 Other Notable Stories to Follow
Nebraska Football Faces NIL Challenges – Nebraska’s collective has reportedly delayed several athlete payments ahead of their spring game, creating internal tension. 🔗 LINK
Title IX Memo Impacts NIL Compensation Plans – A recent Department of Education memo outlines how direct NIL payments must comply with gender equity laws, complicating school-led payment models. 🔗 LINK
Oregon Universities to Directly Pay Athletes – Starting July 1, Oregon's public universities will be legally permitted to directly compensate athletes for NIL, prompting major budget shifts. 🔗 LINK
NCAA's NIL Rules Suspended Nationwide – A federal injunction has halted the NCAA from enforcing NIL recruiting rules, pending a broader antitrust trial. 🔗 LINK
Athletes Challenge NCAA Eligibility Rules – Four additional players from ACC schools have joined a lawsuit challenging eligibility limits, citing disproportionate NIL impact. 🔗 LINK
Basketball Players Lead in NIL Deals – USC’s JuJu Watkins and UNC’s RJ Davis now top national leaderboards for most NIL brand partnerships among college athletes. 🔗 LINK
📅 What’s Coming Up Next for NIL
April 18: NCAA Division I Council meets to review proposed NIL inducement guidelines
April 22: California Assembly will hold a hearing on state-run NIL collectives
May 1: Spring transfer portal closes for football
⚖️ Legal Updates
NCAA's $2.8 Billion Settlement Under Review
Proposed class-action settlement would allow schools to pay athletes starting in 2025
Roughly $2.78B in back pay would be distributed to athletes who played before July 2021
Legal critics say settlement may violate Title IX and force budget cuts to non-revenue sports
Final decision from Judge Wilken expected within the next month
🔗 Full Coverage
Federal Injunction Suspends NCAA NIL Rules
A U.S. District Court issued a preliminary injunction blocking NCAA enforcement of NIL policies
The ruling stems from an antitrust lawsuit filed by attorneys general from Tennessee and Virginia
All NIL-related enforcement, including inducement investigations, are paused nationwide
NCAA plans to appeal, warning of recruiting chaos in the interim
🔗 Full Coverage
🗣 Hear from Leaders on NIL
"Direct NIL payments from schools are coming — and they’ll force Title IX into every conversation."
— @MitWinter
🔗 Tweet
"The NCAA's power to regulate NIL just got weaker. The courts are doing what Congress wouldn’t."
— @DanMurphyESPN
🔗 Tweet
"How schools approach collective deals this offseason will determine if we see more QB exits like Iamaleava’s."
— @PeteThamel
🔗 Tweet
"Oregon’s move to direct NIL payments sets a new national precedent — expect dominoes in other states."
— @KristiDosh
🔗 Tweet
"The legal exposure from direct payments without Title IX compliance is massive and under-discussed."
— @sportslawprof
🔗 Tweet