Georgia targets $390K from Damon Wilson II in landmark NIL dispute

The College of Georgia Athletic Affiliation is taking authorized motion in opposition to one of many soccer crew’s former Star Go Rushers.

Georgia is looking for damages totaling $390,000 after Damon Wilson II’s protection opted to switch to Missouri after the 2024 season.

The division cited an NIL buyout clause in Wilson’s contract and requested a decide to drive the defensive aspect to enter arbitration to achieve a settlement. The clause in Wilson’s prior settlement primarily acts as an early termination buyout price.

Missouri Tigers defensive finish Damon Wilson II celebrates after recovering a fumble through the second half in opposition to the Alabama Crimson Tide at Faurot Subject at Memorial Stadium, Oct. 11, 2025, in Columbia, Missouri. (Jay Biggerstaff/Imagn Photographs)

Wilson was lately served with a summons, authorized information present.

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After recording 3.5 sacks throughout his freshman and sophomore seasons at UGA, Wilson signed a brand new cope with Georgia’s Basic Metropolis Collective. In January, simply two weeks after touchdown the brand new contract, Wilson transferred to Missouri.

Wilson had 9 sacks in his first common season with the Tigers.

Georgia Bulldogs helmets on the bench throughout Georgia’s spring recreation at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, April 12, 2025. (Dale Zanine/Imagn Photographs)

The formation of collectives has turn out to be extra widespread in colleges throughout the nation. Many collectives embody indemnity clauses of their agreements with gamers to attempt to defend monetary investments in athletes and discourage transfers.

Wilson reportedly obtained payouts totaling $30,000 below the phrases of his final cope with Georgia earlier than leaving Athens, Georgia. The athletic affiliation claims Wilson was owed the $390,000 inside 30 days of his departure.

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“When the College of Georgia Athletic Affiliation enters into binding agreements with student-athletes, we honor our obligations and count on student-athletes to do the identical,” Georgia spokesman Steven Drummond mentioned in an announcement to ESPN.

Wilson couldn’t be instantly reached for remark. Missouri-based attorneys Bogdan Susan and Jeff Jensen are representing Wilson. Susan argued that Wilson’s profession selections have been by no means motivated by cash.

Damon Wilson II (8) of the Missouri Tigers vs. the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Faurot Subject at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo., Nov. 15, 2025. (Jeff Le/Getty Photographs)

“After all of the info come to gentle, folks will probably be shocked on the approach the College of Georgia handled a student-athlete,” Susan mentioned in an announcement. “It was by no means concerning the cash for Damon. He simply needs to play the sport he loves and pursue his dream of enjoying within the NFL.”

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Georgia’s transfer marks one of many first instances a college has publicly sought NIL damages from a former athlete over an alleged breach of contract. The dispute offers the premise for doubtlessly setting a precedent on whether or not liquidated damages clauses will act as an efficient, defensible substitute for extra conventional buyout awards.

Nevertheless, it ought to be famous that the Arkansas NIL Collective retained the providers of an lawyer to aim to implement a buyout clause in quarterback Madden Iamaleava’s deal. Iamaleava spent his freshman season at UCLA. Vast receiver Dazmin James additionally left Arkansas, prompting his former faculty to file a grievance.

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