Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is taking legal action against four former football players to reclaim thousands in NIL funds. The lawsuit targets four student-athletes.

“On May 18, the university filed suit in Palm Beach County Circuit Court against Asaad Waseem, Tyler Stolsky, Zion Paret, and Gemari Sands,” TapInto Boca Raton reported on May 22. 

These players are facing a lawsuit as the university attempts to “recoup tens of thousands of dollars” they are owed.

It is a fallout from the FAU’s NIL agreement that outlines transfer-related breach of contract. 

According to Missy Diaz’s report, the student-athlete “must pay half of the remaining money they would have been owed under the contract.” This remaining money is known as liquidated damages, which is in addition to “all other remedies and damages available, including injunctive relief.”

According to the report, Waseem, now a Purdue wide receiver, signed a $69,000 NIL contract. He was to be paid $3,000 in monthly installments for the first three months, before it increased to $5,000 for the remaining 12 months.

Linebacker Tyler Stolsky, who now plays for West Virginia, was paid $12,000, which was divided into $2,000 per month from July 1 through December 31. The program amended his NIL agreement to $45,000, with $3,000 monthly payments beginning October 23, and continuing through December 28, 2026.

Zion Paret transferred to the University of Connecticut. At FAU, he was to be paid $30,000 in monthly installments of $2,000 till December 31, 2026. Meanwhile, running back Gemari Sands, now plays for Florida State, was paid $1,000 per month between July 2025 and December 2025.

The university amended his NIL agreement on December 31. The new contract increased his licensing fee to $18,000, to be paid in $1,500 monthly installments beginning January 22.

While the FAU has made headlines with this lawsuit, it is just one of the other universities that have filed such lawsuits. 

FAU Joins Other Programs That Have Filed Similar Lawsuits

In the rapidly evolving college culture influenced by NIL, many universities have sued students to recoup money over transferred related contract breaches. 

The University of Cincinnati filed a lawsuit against quarterback Brendan Sorsby in February. He refused to pay his exit fee, worth $1 million, after he transferred to Texas Tech.

Similarly, in May, the University of Oregon sued defensive back Dakota Fields over $10,000 he reportedly owed them.

Duke University was involved with quarterback Darian Mensah, and it settled the case in January. It stemmed from entering the transfer portal to transfer to the University of Miami.

In 2025, Georgia filed a lawsuit to obtain $390,000 in damages from former defensive end Damon Wilson. 

Further details of the trial are yet to be released.

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Written by

Akanksha Biradar