NCAA levies significant penalties on Florida State for NIL-related violations

The NCAA has announced multiple punishments against Florida State as a result of an NIL-related rules violation. The penalties are against one of the school’s NIL collectives, Rising Spear, and an unnamed assistant — which On3’s Pete Nakos confirmed is offensive coordinator Alex Atkins.

Atkins committed two Level II violations, and will serve a three-game suspension to start the 2024 season. In addition, he received a two-year show cause from the NCAA as part of the sanctions, which were negotiated between the school and the NCAA.

Other penalties against Florida State include two years of probation, a three-year disassociation from the booster and a one-year disassociation from the NIL collective. Atkins also cannot recruit off-campus during Fall 2023. Head coach Mike Norvell did not receive any punishment because he “actively monitored” the “clear expectations” he set for compliance within the program.

Florida State athletic director Michael Alford released a statement on the resolution shortly after the announcement.

“We are pleased to reach closure to this situation and view this as another step in strengthening our culture of compliance at Florida State University,” Alford said. “We take all compliance matters very seriously, and our full cooperation with the NCAA on this case is a clear example of that commitment. We remain committed to compliance with all NCAA rules including disassociation of the booster and collective.”

NCAA details allegations against Florida State, Rising Spear

According to the NCAA’s report on the violations, Atkins is accused of driving a transfer portal recruit and his parents to a meeting with Rising Spear to meet with the collective’s CEO. Atkins didn’t stay for the meeting. The recruit, meanwhile, allegedly was offered a deal worth $15,000 per month during his first year with the university, according to the release. The NCAA deemed that deal an impermissible NIL inducement.

That meeting is also considered impermissible contact because the recruit had not yet committed, which goes against NCAA rules. The NCAA issued a three-year disassociation from the booster, as well as a one-year disassociation from the collective, as part of the punishments.

The prospect later withdrew from the portal and remained at his previous school, and didn’t receive any compensation.

During the investigation, Atkins allegedly provided “false or misleading information about his knowledge of and involvement in the violations,” according to the NCAA. That’s normally a Level I violation, but it became a Level II violation given “the unique facts and circumstances of this case.” The NCAA also said Atkins denied facilitating the meeting when he spoke with investigators, but acknowledged he drove the recruit and his parents.

More on FSU’s NIL ventures

Rising Spear is one of three NIL collectives at Florida State, along with Micconope 1851 and The Battle’s End — the latter of which is the primary collective for football. The Battle’s End released a statement Thursday night about the penalties, saying its operations aren’t impacted by the situation.

“This evening, it was reported that Florida State, an affiliated NIL collective, and individuals operating that NIL collective will face NCAA sanctions related to recruiting conduct that occurred sometime in the Spring of 2022,” the statement read. “These events occurred prior to the November 2022 founding of The Battle’s End. Our organization was in no way involved in either the reported violations nor subject to the resulting penalties. As a proud partner of Florida State Athletics, compliance and good governance are central to our operational philosophy. We look forward to continuing our support of FSU’s CLIMB.”

Rising Spear’s primary focus is on football and basketball, but it also works with other sports at FSU. In December, Rising Spear inked deals for women’s soccer players Claire Rain and Taylor Huff with Glory Days Grill, according to the On3 NIL Deal Tracker.