The Georgia athletic department is pursuing $390,000 in damages from former player Damon Wilson II after he transferred to Missouri last offseason. This action is based on a clause in Wilson’s NIL contract. Georgia has filed for a judge to compel Wilson to arbitrate to resolve the disagreement over the contract terms.

If the court rules in favor of Georgia, this case could set significant precedent in college athletics. Schools, including Georgia, incorporate buyout clauses in their NIL contracts, and a favorable ruling could validate such stipulations, potentially increasing their prevalence as institutions aim to shield themselves from risks associated with the transfer portal.

Wilson, a highly rated recruit, excelled in his initial years at Georgia, showcasing his abilities as a promising edge rusher in the SEC. He had signed a new NIL agreement with the Georgia collective in December 2024, shortly before entering the transfer portal to join Missouri in January 2025.

Georgia compensated Wilson $30,000 under the terms of his agreement before he exited, but is now contending that he owes a $390,000 payment within 30 days of leaving. The original contract was structured as a 14-month deal totaling $500,000, to be disbursed in monthly payments of $30,000. Additionally, two retention bonuses worth $40,000 were to be paid at the conclusion of the NCAA transfer portal windows. The exit clause stipulates that if the player leaves, he must pay back the total he would have received if he had stayed the entire contract duration.

The NIL group assigned the right to pursue these damages to the athletic department on July 1. Spokesperson Steven Drummond stated, “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,” as reported to ESPN.

Wilson ranked as the third overall prospect in the 2025 transfer cycle, marking a successful season at Missouri with nine sacks and an interception, leading the team. This case marks one of the first instances where a school is publicly seeking NIL damages from a player for contract breach. Notably, Arkansas had previously taken steps to enforce a buyout clause for a former player, setting a meaningful precedent in this evolving landscape.