Georgia Sues Transfer Portal Standout Damon Wilson for $390,000
ATHENS, GA – The University of Georgia Athletic Association has filed a lawsuit against Missouri edge rusher Damonโค Wilson, seeking $390,000โข stemming from a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) contractโ signed prior toโ his transfer. The legal action highlights the emerging complexitiesโ of NIL agreements as college athletics enters a new revenue-sharing era.
Wilson, a junior who led Missouriโค with nine sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss this season, signed a $500,000 deal with classic City Collective in December โฃ2024, ahead of Georgia’s College Football Playoffโ loss to Notre Dame. The contract โstipulated payments spread over 14 months, with potential bonuses of $40,000 each should he enterโข the transfer portal.Wilson received oneโข payment of $30,000 beforeโ transferring to Missouri afterโ the 2024 season.
Georgiaโ is pursuing theโ remaining balance through a โคliquidatedโ damages claim, arguing Wilson owes the amount stipulated in the contract for earlyโฃ termination. According to ESPN, โคthe original agreement included aโ clause requiring Wilson to repayโ unearned โขportions of the deal if he transferred.
“When the University of Georgia Athletic โขAssociation enters binding agreements with student-athletes, we honor โour commitments and expectโค student-athletes to do the same,” athletics spokesperson Steven Drummond said in a statement to ESPN.
This is not the first instance of a school pursuing legal actionโ over NIL-related commitments following a player transfer; Wisconsin recently filedโค suit against miami regarding Xavierโฃ Lucas.โ However, โGeorgia’sโข aggressive approach is drawing attention.
The situation raises questions about the enforceability of NIL contracts and parallels with coaching contracts. Unlike coaches, who typicallyโ have their buyouts covered by their new employer, Georgia is seeking direct repayment from Wilson. Lane Kiffin, such as, did not personallyโ cover the remaining balance of โhis contract โฃwith Ole Miss when he accepted the head โคcoaching position โat โLSU; LSU instead โpaid Ole Missโค a $3 millionโ buyout.
The legal dispute underscores the ongoing debate surroundingโฃ the classification of student-athletes. Schools have historically โresisted classifying players as employees, a stance that contributed to the delayed implementation โof NIL opportunities. As the NCAA and its member institutions navigate โขthe evolving landscape of college athletics andโข revenue sharing, the legal ramifications of NIL agreements are likely to โbecome โขincreasingly prominent.