FRISCO — Player holdouts are a familiar strategy in the NFL, and the Dallas Cowboys are well-acquainted with it. Just last year, CeeDee Lamb skipped training camp while awaiting a contract renewal. Lamb ultimately secured his contract, and tensions eased between both parties. This sequence of events is a common narrative across the league.

However, the term “holdout” was not part of the college football lexicon until recently. The dynamic world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) has upended the sport, culminating in recent dramatic developments. On Friday, ESPN reported that University of Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava decided to abstain from spring football activities as his representatives pushed for an increase from $2 million to $4 million.

When Tennessee refused to compromise, Iamaleava opted to enter the transfer portal. His decision marks a significant moment in the sport, likely to inspire other players in the future. Cowboys’ standout Micah Parsons expressed his disapproval of Iamaleava’s move, criticizing the entire sport. “College football is a joke now! You might as well turn college into a semi-pro league!

Actually hold players accountable to the contracts they sign!” Parsons posted on X. Parsons is known for voicing his opinions on various issues, and he’s certainly raised a valid point here. The NCAA has avoided enforcing regulations on NIL deals, leaving no binding agreements between players and their schools. Consequently, these contracts carry little weight in maintaining those relationships.

As a result, college football has become the hotspot of NIL-induced disorder in collegiate sports. For a product that enjoys national popularity, this turmoil has significantly harmed its overall reputation. Parsons is not alone in his disapproval of Iamaleava’s choice. Regrettably, there seems to be no imminent changes on the horizon.