Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) before a game between Tennessee and Kent State at Neyland Stadium, in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) before a game between Tennessee and Kent State at Neyland Stadium, in Knoxville, Tenn., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
‘What Are We Doing Here?’ — Cam Newton Calls for Stricter NIL Rules in College Football
Cam Newton didn’t pull any punches regarding the future of NIL in college football, following all of the Nico Iamaleava drama. It left a bad taste in the former Heisman winner’s mouth, and he wants to add some guardrails throughout the sport, especially regarding stricter NIL rules.
While Tennessee may not necessarily think so yet, Newton believes that Iamaleava’s decision will positively affect college football as a whole. His decision highlighted a gigantic issue in the sport and helped indicate where adjustments should be made in the future.
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Former Heisman Winner Says It’s Time for the NCAA To Step In on NIL Oversight
“I think it’s good because it’s leading to some type of governing,” Newton says on 4th & 1 with Newton. “Like, what are we doing here? Because if Nico had been successful at holding out, it would have started — they ain’t having spring ball. You know what I’m saying?”
“These kids have to understand it. I’m always a pro athlete, but bro, let’s be pro-realistic. If you are who you think you are, prove it first, and everything else will take care of itself. Don’t try to ask for the money first, and then say, I’m going — no, it don’t work like that.”
“And to the point of holding out for the bowl games, as you’re setting these contracts, make it make sense to where they have to play a full season, including the bowl games, or they won’t get their money. We’re living in a contractual — put it in the contract. You don’t get certain money if you don’t play all the games, practices, and meetings.”
Evidently, Newton’s major issue was the report that Iamaleava’s team threatened a holdout if they didn’t get a raise in Knoxville. The former top overall pick in the NFL Draft noted some key differences between how the situation would be handled in the NFL and college football.
“They ask, what’s the difference between being in the league and being in college?” says Newton. “In college, they punish you physically. In the league, they punish you financially. That’s the biggest difference,” Newton added. “They ain’t gonna argue with you. They ain’t gonna spat back and forth with you. They ain’t gonna say this, that, and the third. Meeting starts at 7:45, you show up at 7:46?”
“We’re going to easily do that direct deposit out of your — no, matter of fact, they ain’t even going to take it out of your account. They’re going to take it out your check before it hit your account. How about that?”
“It’s like alimony, child support, and all them taxes — we’re going to get us ours, before you get yours, you, and how do you do. So, you want to keep on being a rebel? Don’t worry about it. Those cents are going to keep adding up, and we’re going to show you that we ain’t here to play with you. You ain’t gonna be here long. Straight up.”
Newton didn’t bite his tongue at all regarding NIL; he even compared it to “alimony.” He wants to see change, but whether adjustments are made remains to be seen. However, one thing we know for sure is that Iamaleava’s case was a bad look for college football as a whole, and there’s plenty of blame to go around throughout the entire sport.
