While reports have stated that Iamaleava was seeking an increase in his NIL deal from $2.2 million to $4 million, Amanda Christovich of Front Office Sports spoke to a "close family friend" of Iamaleava's father, Nic, who denied claims that Iamaleava pushed for more NIL money.

Jon Reed of Fox Sports Knoxville revealed on a recent episode of "That SEC Podcast" that Iamaleava refused to partake in interviews, make appearances at NIL-sponsored events and would have his father verbally accost those who associated with events so he could get out of them.

Any goodwill Tennessee football fans had towards Nico Iamaleava is gone for good after the quarterback decided to transfer following a failed attempt to renegotiate his NIL deal with the team. As the relationship between Tennessee and Iamaleava deteriorated,