LSU head coach Brian Kelly weighed in on the saga of former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava.
On Saturday, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel introduced Iamaleava wouldn’t return subsequent season.
Heupel mentioned Iamaleava’s determination to skip follow throughout his identify, picture and likeness (NIL) contract negotiations with Tennessee led to the break up.
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LSU head coach Brian Kelly watches from the sideline within the second half towards Alabama in Baton Rouge Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photograph/Gerald Herbert)
“This program has been round for a very long time,” Heupel mentioned. “There are plenty of nice coaches, plenty of nice gamers who got here earlier than that laid the cornerstone items, the legacy, the custom that’s Tennessee soccer. It will be round a very long time after I am gone and after they’re gone.”
Kelly predicted Iamaleava’s scenario will develop into extra frequent as NIL evolves.
Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel watches a recreation within the first half at Ohio Stadium Dec. 21, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (Imagn)
“I believe there are modifications coming to NIL. I believe that is the primary model of correction,” Kelly mentioned Saturday.
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“I believe we’re going to see plenty of this. This was a brand new world. I believe we’re going to navigate one of the best we will, however I believe there are going to be different conditions that come. I believe we’re going to should do one of the best we will. I believe there (is) going to be higher info that can enable folks to take a look at comps for positions and say, ‘That is smart’ and ’That doesn’t make sense.'”
NIL has had a historic impact on school sports activities, and, this month, a number of high-profile packages opted to not maintain conventional spring video games. A few of the colleges’ choices handled considerations it might open the door for extra gamers to enter the switch portal or be enticed by one other packages’ NIL packages.
Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava walks off the sector after a win towards the Vanderbilt Commodores at FirstBank Stadium Nov. 30, 2024. (Steve Roberts/Imagn Pictures)
LSU was amongst these colleges that did play a spring recreation this yr.
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Iamaleava was making $2.4 million on an NIL contact. However when he signed it, it was reported to be price an estimated $8 million. Iamaleava obtained the preliminary fee when he was nonetheless enrolled in highschool. ESPN reported the full worth of the deal might have reached practically $10 million.
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