Florida State finds itself at the epicenter of a groundbreaking NCAA crackdown, one of the first sanctions related to NIL to be imposed by the NCAA.
The crux of the issue lies in Florida State’s Offensive coordinator Alex Atkins. Atkins’ involvement in arranging a meeting between Amarius Mims, a Georgia offensive tackle, and a key member of Rising Spear, a NIL collective associated with FSU.
During this meeting, the prospect was reportedly offered an NIL deal worth approximately $15,000 per month for his first year at the school. This act of facilitating a meeting and the subsequent NIL offer constituted a breach of NCAA regulations, as it was deemed an impermissible recruiting inducement.
The NCAA’s investigation found that Atkins, by driving Mims and his parents to and from this off-campus meeting, engaged in impermissible recruiting contact. NCAA rules stipulate that boosters, like those running a NIL collective, cannot have such direct, in-person, off-campus interactions with recruits. Atkins’ role in arranging and facilitating this meeting crossed these boundaries.
The NCAA also charged Atkins with unethical conduct. This was based on findings that he provided false or misleading information about his knowledge and involvement in the violations. He denied facilitating the meeting between the booster, Mims, and Mims’ family.
However, he was truthful about other aspects, such as acknowledging his role in transporting them. This particular aspect of the case was treated as a Level II violation due to its specific circumstances.
The repercussions? They’re as severe as they are historic. Atkins faces a three-game suspension in the 2024 season and a two-year show-cause order. This show-cause order isn’t just a slap on the wrist. Some liken it to a scarlet letter in the coaching world, it could hinder his employment prospects in the future. In Atkins’ case, he’s expected to stay with FSU, but he’s under the NCAA’s microscope.
The full list was released Thursday night. They include the following:
- Two years of probation.
- A two-year show cause order for the assistant coach, including a suspension from the next three regular-season games, a two-week restriction on recruiting communication, and required attendance at an NCAA Regional Rules Seminar attendance. • A restriction from off-campus recruiting during the fall of 2023 for the assistant coach.
- A three-year disassociation from the booster.
- A one-year disassociation from the collective.
- A $5,000 fine plus 1% of the football budget.
- A 5% reduction in football scholarships over the two-year probationary period, amounting to a total reduction of five scholarships.
- A reduction in official (paid) visits in the football program in the 2023-24 academic year by seven. The school also will not roll over six unused official visits from the 2022-23 academic year.
- A reduction in football recruiting communications for a total of six weeks during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years.
- A reduction in the number of in-person recruiting days during the 2023-24 academic year by six evaluation days during fall 2023 and 18 during spring 2024.
The NCAA’s full confirmation and report: Here
The NCAA’s action against FSU is unprecedented, signaling a new era in its approach to NIL-related issues. While NIL rules remain murky territory, the NCAA is taking a stand against any misinterpretations or exploitations of these guidelines. This all comes just weeks after FSU made themselves the first to challenge a grant of rights in court. On Dec. 22, 2003, FSU was the first to challenge the legality of the league’s grant of rights and its $130 million withdrawal fee.
Florida State University’s Vice President and Director of Athletics, Michael Alford, has stated in response to the NCAA’s recent disciplinary action. The NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions announced a negotiated resolution with FSU for infractions involving Atkins.
Alford stated, “We are pleased to reach closure to this situation and view this as another step in strengthening our culture of compliance at Florida State University. We take all compliance matters very seriously, and our full cooperation with the NCAA on this case is a clear example of that commitment. We remain committed to compliance with all NCAA rules including disassociation of the booster and the collective.”
While some may perceive the rules governing NIL and recruitment interactions as overly meticulous or even petty, their violation represents a breach of the NCAA’s regulatory framework. These regulations are not arbitrary; they are meticulously crafted to ensure a level playing field and maintain the integrity of college sports according to the NCAA.
Amidst this turmoil, FSU’s football program is also navigating other turbulent waters. They were notably excluded from the College Football Playoff despite a stellar season, a decision that sparked widespread controversy and legal challenges. Moreover, some speculate that FSU’s head coach, Mike Norvell, is in the running for Alabama’s head coaching position, adding another layer of complexity to the situation.
As NIL continues to evolve, so too will the landscape of college sports, where the line between permissible and impermissible activities remains as delicate as ever.
