The drama began nearly two weeks ago when Iamaleava was reported to have been looking to restructure his NIL deal with Tennessee’s collective, seeking a number in the $4 million per year range. Iamaleava had been signed to a four-year, $8 million contract.

There’s only one winner in the Nico Iamaleava-Tennessee breakup, and it’s neither of those parties. UCLA won this divorce. Everyone else lost.

UCLA was the expected landing spot for Iamaleava, who split with Tennessee amid attempts to renegotiate his NIL contract.