Florida State releases statement after former players sue Leonard Hamilton over NIL

Florida State released a statement after six former players filed a complaint to sue basketball coach Leonard Hamilton over NIL.

The six plaintiffs listed — Darin Green Jr., Josh Nickelberry, Primo Spears, Cam’Ron Fletcher, De’Ante Green and Jalen Warley — allege Hamilton promised each of them $250,000 in NIL payments from the coach’s “business partners,” per the complaint.

However, Florida State responded with a statement from the university Monday.

FSU releases statement on lawsuit filed this morning by 6 former basketball players against head coach Leonard Hamilton, claiming he failed to deliver on NIL promises. pic.twitter.com/2bkj19Tbth

— Warchant.com (@Warchant) December 30, 2024

“Since the beginning of the name, image and likeness era of collegiate athletics, FSU has maintained a comprehensive compliance education program for coaches and other athletics staff, and a clear expectation of ethical conduct by all in dealing with student-athletes,” the statement read.

“Upon learning recently of the allegations made by former men’s basketball athletes, the University has worked diligently to determine what transpired last season. Though our inquiry is not yet complete, at this point we know of no unfulfilled commitments by FSU in terms of scholarships or other appropriate benefits or the Rising Spear Collective relative to NIL payments owed to the athletes.”

The players alleged they never received payments from Hamilton, Florida State or any other party. In fact, several players actually transferred into FSU under the guise they would receive the money.

Within the complaint, there are multiple text message exchanges between players and Hamilton and players and Will Cowen, an executive with one of Florida State’s NIL collectives.

“We support Coach Hamilton’s right to defend himself against these allegations and look forward to an expeditious resolution to this matter,” Florida State’s statement concluded.

The boycott referenced in the complaint happened during a practice before a game against Duke on February 17th. The players walked out of the gym and out of Hamilton’s practice over frustration of unpaid NIL compensation.

Hamilton assured the players they would be paid the following week, per the complaint. Florida State wound up losing to Duke 76-67. Players were worried over taxes, rent and car notes, per the complaint.

In fact, players didn’t want to disappoint Hamilton over NIL dollars but it was hard not to, considering the large sum. None of the six plaintiffs are currently on the team.

Green and Nickleberry no longer have eligibility and the four others transferred out of Florida State.