Georgia files lawsuit against Missouri edge rusher Damon Wilson for nearly $400K over NIL contract with Bulldogs

Georgia has initiated legal action against edge rusher Damon Wilson following his move to Missouri, seeking repayment of nearly $390,000 tied to a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal he signed with the schools collective in December 2024. The contract was arranged just before Georgia's College Football Playoff defeat to Notre Dame.

Wilson, who transferred after the 2024 season, received a single $30,000 payment before leaving. As a junior at Missouri, he led the team with nine sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss, improving on his sophomore season at Georgia where he recorded three sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss.

Georgia claims Wilson owes the remaining balance of the $500,000 contract, which was structured to be paid in 14 monthly installments, with two $40,000 bonuses contingent on his participation post-transfer portal. The university is pursuing the owed sum through a liquidated damages claim.

When the University of Georgia Athletic Association enters binding agreements with student-athletes, we honor our commitments and expect student-athletes to do the same, said athletics spokesperson Steven Drummond.

This lawsuit is part of a growing, though uncommon, trend of schools seeking repayment from players who leave before completing their NIL agreements. Traditionally, similar enforcement is not applied to coaching staff, who often have buyouts or negotiated payments when departing for new positions.

While colleges have long resisted treating players as employees, the evolving landscape of NIL deals and revenue sharing has brought such disputes into sharper focus.

Author: Lucas Grant