As contract talks between Tennessee and Nico Iamaleava develop this spring, tension appears to be rising on both sides of the negotiating table.
Frustrations have begun to mount at Tennessee regarding Iamaleava’s reported desire to re-negotiate his contract. Those talks became public on Thursday night when On3 reported the negotiations. Although multiple people in Iamaleava’s camp have denied the talks, his absence from Tennessee’s practice on Friday morning would seem to point to their legitimacy.
And then there’s the following report from ESPN’s Chris Low, who cites a Tennessee source who says Iamaleava also tried to leverage the Vols into a new deal before the end of the winter transfer portal window earlier this offseason. That report indicates Iamaleava is seeking close to $4 million for the 2025 season. Fans may recall a cryptic social media message Iamaleava posted prior to the end of the winter portal period back in December.
Per Low, Tennessee officials have told him they won’t “blink” during these talks.
Right before the winter portal closed, Iamaleava’s reps wanted to see his deal upped to $4 million range and again this time as the spring portal opens Wednesday, and according to sources, Tennessee officials said they “weren’t going to blink.”
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) April 11, 2025Iamaleava’s apparent holdout comes as Tennessee is preparing to have its annual Orange & White spring game on Saturday. Given that he was a no-show at practice on Friday morning, it’s possible he won’t present for the showcase this weekend either.
The spring transfer portal opens on Wednesday. It’s possible Iamaleava will look to enter the portal in search of a new program in the coming days. One way or the other, this standoff should come to an end in the relatively near future.
Iamaleava reportedly agreed to a 3-year deal worth approximately $8 million when he signed with the Vols out of high school. It’s unclear how much he’s slated to make in 2025, but the quarterback market has shifted significantly since that deal was agreed to.
The Orange & White game is set to begin at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Tennessee officials say they won’t ‘blink’ in contract talks with Nico Iamaleava, per report Saturday Down South.
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