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Nico Iamaleava misses Tennessee football practice amid reports of NIL negotiation | Source
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- Nico Iamaleava misses Tennessee football practice amid reports of NIL negotiation | Source
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava did not show up at practice on Friday morning after reports of his NIL negotiations surfaced , a source with direct knowledge of the situation told Knox News.
The source requested anonymity because Friday's practice was closed to media and public.
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Iamaleava's absence from practice was a surprise to coaches and players, the source added. And it tosses the offseason into turmoil, especially because Iamaleava's team leadership has been a focus in spring practice.
Now there are questions of whether Iamaleava will attend or participate in Tennessee 's Orange and White Spring Game on Saturday (2 p.m. ET) at Neyland Stadium. If made available to the media, Iamaleava would be asked questions about his NIL situation and the transfer portal, which opens April 16.
If Iamaleava does not play in the spring game, redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and freshman George MacIntyre will replace him. UT signed them as four-star recruits in the past two signing classes.
Is Nico Iamaleava holding out for more NIL money?
On Thursday, On3.com 's Pete Nakos reported that Iamaleava is negotiating a new multimillion-dollar NIL deal just ahead of the transfer portal opening.
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In 2022, Iamaleava signed a blockbuster NIL contract, which reportedly paid him more than $2 million per year and paved the way for the five-star recruit to sign with Tennessee. But the market has risen for the highest paid quarterbacks.
Iamaleava has not commented about the situation, but his absence from practice at least gives the optics of a holdout. ESPN's Chris Low , citing sources, reported that Iamaleava's representatives wanted his NIL pay increased to $4 million, using the possibility of him entering the transfer portal as leverage.
That would align with blockbuster NIL contracts involving college quarterbacks this offseason. Miami's Carson Beck and Duke's Darian Mensah got close to $4 million, CBS Sports reported , but they had to go into the portal to get those deals.
Spyre Sports Group, the NIL collective that pays Iamaleava, did not respond to multiple requests for comment from Knox News.
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His father, Nic Iamaleava, did not respond to a Knox News request for comment. But he responded to the initial report with a post on social media.
"More games being played off the field than on the field," Nic Iamaleava wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "... Nakos from @On3sports called and asked me directly, I told him I had no idea on what he's talking about. He said his "close source" that he trusts with his life from the University of Tennessee staff gave him this information. So y'all can ask them what's going on, cuz it ain't from us!"
TOPPMEYER: Nico Iamaleava enjoys some leverage, but don't overplay your hand
Nico Iamaleava NIL discussion has many sides
There are layers to the NIL saga surrounding Iamaleava, which encapsulates the uncertainty and division over the direction of college football.
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Some fans feel like Iamaleava's pay, reportedly more than $2 million per year, is enough. They point to his play, which has been effective but not elite.
Iamaleava passed for 2,616 yards, 19 TDs and five interceptions in 2024. The Vols offense struggled at times, but Iamaleava improved late in the season en route to a 10-3 record and UT's first appearance in the College Football Playoff.
Plus, UT defended Iamaleava against an NCAA investigation that could've affected his eligibility and NIL contract. And Iamaleava must consider the calculated risk of how UT fans will perceive him if he holds out for more money without the play to back it up.
On the contrary, Iamaleava's market value may have risen.
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The transfer portal opens April 16, which provides players an opportunity to exercise their leverage and seek new NIL deals. Social media posts and leaks to traditional media are among the ways that players can push for more NIL money.
That's the current system, and players at virtually every Power Four program explore those options. It's very common in this climate of college football.
Whether Iamaleava receives a new NIL deal, both he and Tennessee would like to put the issue to rest soon. Anxious UT fans would like the same, so they can turn their attention to the 2025 season.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com . X, formerly known as Twitter @AdamSparks . Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe .
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Nico Iamaleava misses Tennessee practice amid reports of NIL talks | Source
