Earlier today, the world of college football was heated with a controversy that delved deep into journalism, with the (NIL) deal at the center of the trend. Pete Nakos, On3’s College Sports Business and Transfer Portal Reporter, made it public that Nico Iamaleava, the Tennessee quarterback, was actively negotiating with the volunteers before the 2025 season.
The report was first made public by On3’s official X account on April 10, 2025, and has since sparked outrage among football lovers. This resulted in the accusations of “clickbait” and, of course, a personal attack on the reporter.
However, Ari Wasserman, On3’s national college football reporter, weighed in to defend Nakos, emphasize the true meaning of clickbait, and uphold his colleague’s credibility as a journalist.
Nico lamaleava and the Tennessee Negotiation
lamaleava has been on an existing NIL deal; Nakos reported being in contract negotiations with Tennessee. This report hinted at a potential dissatisfaction with lamaleava’s existing NIL deal. A player who has already made headlines as a high schooler by agreeing to what is projected as the most lucrative NIL deal with an average of $8 million over a three-year contract.
Not only is what @PeteNakos_ reported about Nico/Tennessee absolutely correct, there is a fundamental misunderstanding of what “clickbait” actually means.
“Clickbait” is when you put a sexy headline on something and you click it and there’s very little to nothing in the story.…
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) April 11, 2025
This agreement projects him as a poster child for the new NIL in college sports. Given that athlete can place value on their brand. Meanwhile, the Nakos report indicated that lamaleava might be working on adjustments to his deal, a claim that got the Tennessee fan furious.
Ari Wasserman Defense: Defining Clickbait and Supporting Nakos
Ari, who joined On3 as a college reporter in September 2024, analyzes the accusations of clickbait and details the meaning: “Clickbait is when you put a sexy headline on something, and you click it, and there’s very little to nothing in the story” he boldly declared that Nakos report didn’t align with what clickbait stands for, emphasizing that Nakos has long been a reporter and was a professional journalist.
He further described fans’ reaction as: “bush league and stupid,” emphasizing that the fact the news didn’t suit them shouldn’t give them an avenue to attack the reporter.
He further delves deep into the broader societal issue: Our society has a deep, fundamental problem. People cannot accept reality. They hear something they don’t like and call the messenger a fraud, attack them personally, and scream about clickbait/fake news. Then, when it turns out to be valid, they vanish.”
He emphasizes that there should be a more mature approach to reacting to news rather than acting on emotions without having a valid point to counter what has been reported.
lamaleava and the NIL Guidelines
Sources reveal that Tennessee and lamaleava had been in a clash with the NCAA over violating NIL guidelines (alleged). Jonathan Skrmetti, Tennessee State attorney general, filed an antitrust lawsuit earlier this year accusing the NCAA of imposing “unlawful restriction” on player rights.
This legal variance supports the tension between traditional NCAA regulations and the new NIL era, allowing athletes like lamaleava to access unprecedented financial advantage. However, such a deal can’t come without pressure from both fans and governing bodies.
KEEP READING: Nico Iamaleava’s NIL Push Exposes a Bigger Problem Than Just Money
On3’s report about possible contract negotiations indicates lamaleava might be seeking to have a renegotiation of his deal, possibly due to market dynamics or dissatisfaction. Conversely, lamaleava debunked the story Nakos reported.
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