Nico Iamaleava’s decision to enter the transfer portal marks a pivotal moment in the intersection of NIL deals, family influence, and the business side of college football. After just one season at Tennessee, the quarterback’s departure, amid public family disputes and unresolved contract negotiations, underscores the growing complexities of the modern transfer process.
The situation was set into motion by Pete Nakos of On3, who first reported tensions between Iamaleava and the Tennessee staff over financial terms. Iamaleava’s camp reportedly rejected Tennessee’s offer of $2.4 million per year, instead pushing for $4 million. The disagreement became public when Iamaleava missed a Saturday practice, and the program announced they would part ways. The media fallout was swift, but it was Nico’s father, Nick Iamaleava, who made waves with his own public response. On social media, Nick directly accused Nakos of misreporting their conversations, which created a public rift and added fuel to an already volatile situation.
Nick Iamaleava took a dig at Pete Nakos and had some harsh words for him, posting them on his X account. “More games are being played off the field than on the field. B—h Nakos from @On3sports called and asked me directly. I told him I had no idea what he was talking about. He said his ‘close source’ that he trusts with his life from the University of Tennessee staff gave him this.” Nico’s father was talking about the information about the QB’s contract negotiations that was ultimately leaked to the media.
Iamaleava came to Tennessee with a lot of fanfare and earned an $8 million NIL deal throughout the program’s tenure. Moreover, the program, as reported by Nakos, was ready to pay the QB a deal of around $2.4 million per year in the new negotiations. But Nico’s representatives wanted a $4 million deal per year. This led the QB to ultimately pull out of the negotiations and is now reported to be joining UCLA. However, the transfer is still unofficial as of now. Now Pete Nakos has come up with a reply.
Pete Nakos was asked in a recent interview on ‘Crain and Company’ if the ‘stuff’ posted on X by Nico’s father had any truth to it. Also, if Nick Iamaleava had apologized to him about the things Nick called the journalist publicly on X.. “Yeah, he (Nick Iamaleava) just kept telling me that I knew more than he did, but didn’t really want and decline it.” Then Nakos said that if Nico’s father, Nick, had apologized to him or made any contact to do the deed. “No, there’s been no contact. I have tried to call him multiple times, though, to try to be like: Is Nico going to the transfer portal? Is Nico going to UCLA? Because you would know best, but no contact there“.
As reported by The Athletic, Nico is now joining UCLA in a transfer move that is being highlighted for all the wrong reasons. There are accusations that Nico’s father handled things carelessly, and many are saying that the deal Nico will get will be far lower than what they were making at Tennessee. Josh Heupel, on the other hand, will be stuck in a limbo as the program now needs a solid QB, and we still don’t know if Jake Merklinger will be able to lead behind the O-line.
Nico’s move to UCLA, potentially a threatening move for the QB?
Now that the QB has moved to UCLA, and will look to start afresh. There are still accusations that the move was motivated by a desire to earn more money. Nico’s father, however, has denied all of these allegations and even said that the broken negotiations at Tennessee weren’t due to money. Still, this begs the question: Will Nico be making more at UCLA?
Pete Nakos was asked the same question on ‘Crain and Company’, and the ON3 journalist even said that UCLA might not be a ‘done deal’. “I don’t know what that exact number is going to be at UCLA, they definitely seem to still be in discussions or things like that. I know Bruce Felman at the athletic report that“. Then the journalist said about the financial aspect and the money Iamaleava would be making at Tennessee.”Not ready to say that it’s a done deal just yet. In terms of how much money he’s going to get, it’s going to be far less than the $4 million he wanted from Tennessee“. Was the move wise on Nico’s part?
Iamaleava is a native of Southern California of Long Beach, so the move may work for the guy if proximity is a concern. Moreover, it is also reported that Iamaleava’s former high school coach, Stacey Ford, also may have influenced the QB’s decision to transfer. Now that he is widely reported to be at UCLA and earning even less than he did at Tennessee, one question remains: Was it the most prudent decision for Nico’s representatives to pull out of the Tennessee deal?
The post Nico Iamaleava’s Dad’s Disrespectful Antics Spark New Controversy as Fresh UCLA Update Threatens Son’s Career appeared first on EssentiallySports.
