Missouri defensive end Damon Wilson II has filed a countersuit against the University of Georgia Athletic Association (UGAA) and its former NIL collective. The dispute centers on a six-figure Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal gone wrong.
The lawsuit, filed in the Circuit Court of Boone County, Missouri, includes claims of defamation and civil conspiracy. It’s kicked up a lot of chatter in the college sports world, mostly because it shows just how messy these NIL agreements can get—especially when athletes transfer.
Background of the Dispute
Damon Wilson II made a name for himself during his junior season with the Missouri Tigers in 2025. The trouble started when he transferred from the University of Georgia to Missouri in January.
Georgia claims Wilson broke a binding NIL agreement by leaving. UGAA sued him for $390,000 in liquidated damages, saying he owed that for exiting early.
Wilson’s side is pretty different. He says he never signed anything binding and was pressured into a non-binding “term sheet” without a lawyer present.
Claims of Defamation and Civil Conspiracy
Wilson’s countersuit doesn’t just focus on money. He accuses Georgia’s athletic association and its NIL collective of civil conspiracy and harassment meant to punish him for transferring.
He also says a Georgia spokesperson’s comments to ESPN were defamatory. According to Wilson, the spokesman implied he’d broken a binding deal, but Wilson insists no such contract existed.
The Alleged Non-Binding Term Sheet
Wilson argues that the document he signed on December 21, 2024, was just a non-binding term sheet. He claims he was pressured into signing, without legal advice, and thought the deal wasn’t final.
The term sheet outlined a 14-month contract worth $500,000. It included monthly payments of $30,000 and two $40,000 bonuses set for February and June 2025.
Liquidated Damages Clause
Georgia’s lawsuit leans on a liquidated damages clause in the NIL agreement. That clause says if Wilson left the team or entered the transfer portal during the deal, he’d owe the Classic City Collective a lump sum equal to the remaining pay he’d have received.
On July 1, Georgia’s athletic department took over the rights to these damages after the House Settlement passed. That timing has become part of the legal back-and-forth.
Impact on Wilson’s Transfer Opportunities
Wilson’s countersuit says the UGAA and its NIL collective hurt his transfer chances. He claims they told interested schools he faced a $1.2 million buyout—a number he says was made up.
That accusation suggests Georgia’s moves weren’t just about money but might’ve been meant to block his future in college football. If true, that’s a pretty serious allegation.
Legal Ramifications and Broader Implications
The case could set a new standard for how NIL agreements get enforced or challenged. Georgia’s one of the first college programs to try enforcing a liquidated damages clause by suing a player.
Depending on how things shake out, the results could ripple across the NCAA. It’s hard to say if it’ll make things clearer or just more complicated for everyone involved.
Statements from Both Parties
Wilson’s attorney, Jeff Jensen of Torridon Law, hasn’t held back. He’s said Georgia is trying to make an example out of Wilson but picked the wrong guy.
Jensen argues that intimidation and legal threats won’t help Georgia’s recruiting—and might even scare off future athletes. Maybe he’s right, maybe not, but it’s a bold claim.
Georgia’s athletics spokesman, Steven Drummond, says the UGAA honors its commitments and expects student-athletes to do the same. That’s the statement Wilson says is defamatory, since he maintains there was never a binding agreement in the first place.
Next Steps in the Legal Battle
Both sides are expected to bring more evidence as the case moves forward. The Circuit Court of Boone County will have to sort out whether Wilson’s countersuit is valid and if Georgia’s original lawsuit holds up.
Whatever happens, it seems likely this case will change how NIL deals are written and enforced. Maybe it’ll push schools and athletes to get everything in writing—and maybe, just maybe, with a lawyer in the room next time.
The legal fight between Damon Wilson II and the University of Georgia Athletic Association really highlights how messy the NIL scene can get. Conflicts and confusion seem almost built-in right now.
With more athletes signing NIL deals every day, you’d think contracts would be clearer by now. But honestly, having a good lawyer on your side is probably more important than ever.
If you’re curious about all the details, check out the full article on On3’s website.
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