NFL Rookie Gervon Dexter files lawsuit over NIL agreement, citing violation of Florida law
Marca The Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) laws, which were seen as a landmark moment for student-athletes, have already hit a stumbling block as former University of Florida football player and current Chicago Bears rookie Gervon Dexter Sr. has filed a lawsuit. Dexter alleges that his NIL agreement with Big League Advance Fund II LLC is in violation of Florida state law.
The details of the deal
In May 2022, Dexter entered into a contract with Big League Advance that stated the company would receive 15% of his pre-tax NFL earnings for a span of 25 years. In return, Dexter received a lump sum payment of $436,485. However, Florida's original NIL legislation states that such agreements should not extend beyond the college careers of student-athletes.
Florida State Representative Chip LaMarca, who was the original sponsor of the NIL legislation in the state, clarified the law's intention: "The deals were supposed to be that an athlete could participate in the free market and when they graduate, whether they go on to play professionally or not, any future contracts are null and void," he told ESPN.
