Report: Multiple former players 'will not pursue' NIL lawsuit against Leonard Hamilton, Florida State

The pending NIL lawsuit against former Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton alledging breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentation has reportedly been reduced after half of the plaintiffs opted to not pursue any further punitive damages, according to The Field of 68 legal analyst Mitch Gilfillan.

NEW: The NIL lawsuit against former FSU coach, Leonard Hamilton, began with 6 plaintiffs/players alleging breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentation. Now, 3 players have decided not to pursue any further + punitive damages are no longer sought @TheFieldOf68 @GoodmanHoops

— Mitch Gilfillan (@mitchgilfillan) April 9, 2025

Late last year, six former FSU basketball players filed suit against Hamilton and FSU for unpaid NIL payments, according to Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger and On3’s Pete Nakos.

“In a landmark filing, six former FSU basketball players are suing Seminoles coach Leonard Hamilton over $1.5 million in unpaid NIL cash they say he promised them,” Dellenger wrote Dec. 30 on X/Twitter. “The complaint details a team-wide boycott of a practice last season over the payments.”

Hamilton retired at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, finishing with a career 460-296 overall record in 22 seasons in Tallahassee.

Former FSU players allege Leonard Hamilton promised them $250,000 in NIL payments

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. It’s currently unclear which plaintiffs have withdrawn from the lawsuit.

The players reportedly 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.

The boycott referenced above 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.

— On3’s Nick Kosko contributed to this report.