The father of Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava said he "had no idea" about reported negotiations over his son's NIL contract.
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 on April 16.
Late Thursday night, Iamaleava's father, Nic, responded to the report on social media. He claimed ignorance of any negotiations and pointed to an unnamed UT staffer for feeding the story to Nakos.
"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!"
More games being played off the field than on the field. Bi7ch 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
— Coach_Nic (@Nic_Iamaleava) April 11, 2025
Nic Iamaleava did not respond to a Knox News request for comment. Spyre Sports Group, the NIL collective that pays Iamaleava, also did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Nico Iamaleava's next media appearance is expected after Tennessee's Orange and White Spring Game on Saturday (2 p.m. ET) at Neyland Stadium, if UT makes him available.
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