Tennessee & Nico Iamaleava are in active contract negotiations ahead of the 2025 season

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Take my opinion for what it’s worth. NIL IS ruining college sports! We all know that. Give them each $15,000 a year. Take away jerseys sales with names on them. If someone hires you to do a commercial ad for them that’s between them. They get an education. Free food, room and clothes for as long as they are there. (Always been that way). Food includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Shakes and desserts. WTH. They really get so many perks! I know of many that have walked away with $30,000 in their pocket if they don’t spend! I effing hate the NIL MOVEMENT!!!

You mean go back to money under the table?

Players wouldn't have been paid under the table if JUST the scholarship and perks covered their value to the schools. Whether you like it or not, these athletes are quite valuable to the school and WAAAAAAAY more than whatever you think, obviously.

It happened before and it would happen again.

Just because you disagree with the market valuation of a player or house or car or whatever doesn't mean you get to sign that player or buy that car or whatever for the price you want to pay.

If you want something, pay market value or someone else will own it.

 

[Vols till I fall]

I still can't even pronounce his ******** last name after 2 years

 

[vol24/7/365]

You should present that very convincing argument to the Supreme Court.

I would! Why should they get so much free AND an education plus NIL MONEY! I don’t negate football is an extreme sport but Nil is ruining it. Ask SABAN. That’s why he retired. Fwiw. My son played at UT. College should be an even playing field ! If you cannot see that it is ruining college sports that’s on you.

 

[vol24/7/365]

You mean go back to money under the table?

Players wouldn't have been paid under the table if JUST the scholarship and perks covered their value to the schools. Whether you like it or not, these athletes are quite valuable to the school and WAAAAAAAY more than whatever you think, obviously.

It happened before and it would happen again.

Just because you disagree with the market valuation of a player or house or car or whatever doesn't mean you get to sign that player or buy that car or whatever for the price you want to pay.

If you want something, pay market value or someone else will own it.

Exactly. That’s how it is ruining college sports! I really would rather the under the table sh+t!!

 

[Smokeyshowl66]

I still can't even pronounce his ******** last name after 2 years

E ah ma Lee ah va

Meaning: selfish arse mutha f-ing bee-atch

 

[DEFENDTHISHOUSE]

The only thing to negotiate at this point is would he prefer a U-Haul or a Ryder truck?

 

[VOLLeeann]

I still can't even pronounce his ******** last name after 2 years

Oh c'mon

Repeat after me.

D-U-M-B
C-L-U-C-K

 

[kobecraigevans15]

He better play like Peyton Manning this year if we do end up paying him more to keep the fans at bay. The second he slips up this fan base that is already pissed off, will be at his neck

 

[cgrish]

Nico's deal is with Spyre and DOES NOT guarantee him the starter position, if it did Milton would have sat

On March 11, 2022, he secured a NIL deal with Spyre Sports Group which is a sports marketing and media agency. Further, on November 17, 2022, he partnered with Leaf Trading Cards. On January 26, 2023, and March 03, 2023, he again promoted Spyre Sports Group through Instagram and Twitter with promotional videos. On December 29, 2023, he made an endorsement deal with The Volunteer Club powered by Spyre Sports. Lastly, on August 21, 2024, he signed a NIL deal with Beats by Dre which is is an American consumer audio products manufacturer. The brand signed 11 college football players including Nico.

I understand that, but if he doesn't play; the investors into spyre will be hesitant to pay out in the future before anyone has proven on the field they are worth the investment. Which I think is a bad thing to do with any player before they have even taken the first snap in a real game.

 

[Vols919]

I wonder what school offered him? It can't be another SEC school.

Late but I bet you

Miami (round 2 + Beck underwhelming)
USC
SMU

 

[vol24/7/365]

He better play like Peyton Manning this year if we do end up paying him more to keep the fans at bay. The second he slips up this fan base that is already pissed off, will be at his neck

That’s what NIL does. Put extra pressure on kids to perform extraordinary! KIDS! It’s really a sad state affairs. Makes me sick all around!

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Exactly. That’s how it is ruining college sports! I really would rather the under the table sh+t!!

It's better if you can't see it. Hehehehe.

Guess what, the Supreme Court disagreed 9-0 with players being limited by the NCAA for educational benefits and the NCAA saw what was coming and NIL was born.

I'm glad you liked the unconstitutional way things worked before with the NCAA telling athletes NIL was forbidden to them just because they were athletes.

Unfortunately, that's in violation of Antitrust Law.

 

[ButchPlz]

That’s what NIL does. Put extra pressure on kids to perform extraordinary! KIDS! It’s really a sad state affairs. Makes me sick all around!

They're not kids.

 

[StickMan]

If you think Nico sucks, you need to give up the sport. Nico was extremely good to have the season he had last year despite horrendous oline play at times and mediocre WR play.

In my opinion, Nico for the most part was pretty average last year. I defended him at times because I thought the criticism was being too harsh, but he did have a lot of struggles. There was plenty of blame to go around, but he deserved a fair share of it. I am disappointed in these developments, but mainly because the new landscape of college athletics is very disheartening.

 

[dduncan4163]

Late but I bet you

Miami (round 2 + Beck underwhelming)
USC
SMU

I hadn't thought of SMU but they would make sense. They have a huge NIL fund.

 

[johnboyhunter]

Wrong forum but have you checked your 401k in the last week? Avoid bridges after you do.

Yeah I won’t look. My whole vacation was blown up due to tariffs. Instead of on the beach while in Dominican Republic I was on my laptop and calls half the time.

 

[vol24/7/365]

They're not kids.

But they really are!

 

[kobecraigevans15]

In my opinion, Nico for the most part was pretty average last year. I defended him at times because I thought the criticism was being too harsh, but he did have a lot of struggles. There was plenty of blame to go around, but he deserved a fair share of it. I am disappointed in these developments, but mainly because the new landscape of college athletics is very disheartening.

He is closer to Diego Pavia than say Cam Ward or Shaduer etc. I just do not see how you have a season like he did, and be like hey double my salary.

 

[dduncan4163]

He better play like Peyton Manning this year if we do end up paying him more to keep the fans at bay. The second he slips up this fan base that is already pissed off, will be at his neck

At this point I just don't see him coming back. The fanbase right or wrong has turned on him.

 

[ButchPlz]

But they really are!

I don't know much of anywhere that considers an 18 year old a kid. Stupid, immature, sure. But these young men are or should be responsible for themselves. They aren't kids.

 

[FranklinVFL]

The only thing to negotiate at this point is would he prefer a U-Haul or a Ryder truck?

screw that....get him a Penske!!! U'hauls lower lift height and aerodynamic side curtains are too good for him....LOL..

 

[kobecraigevans15]

I hadn't thought of SMU but they would make sense. They have a huge NIL fund.

Deeeeeeeep pockets there haha

 

[The Vollipop Guild]

Cocke Co Dixie Mafia putting the greenlight on all pineapples.

 

[Rocky Top T]

He better play like Peyton Manning this year if we do end up paying him more to keep the fans at bay. The second he slips up this fan base that is already pissed off, will be at his neck

The damage is done, he needs to move on

 

[FranklinVFL]

That’s what NIL does. Put extra pressure on kids to perform extraordinary! KIDS! It’s really a sad state affairs. Makes me sick all around!

20 years old...this is not some true freshman I might allow the term Kids be used for...