FAU sues 4 former football players over NIL transfers

BOCA RATON – Florida Atlantic University filed lawsuits against four former football players last week, marking a rare legal move tied to alleged breaches of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) agreements after transferring out of the program.

The lawsuits target former Owls wide receiver Asaad Waseem, linebacker Tyler Stolsky, defensive back Zion Paret and running back Gemari Sands, all members of FAU’s 2025 roster during head coach Zach Kittley’s first season.

Sands, Waseem, and Stolsky were all starters, and Paret saw action in nine games as a reserve. After a 4-8 season for FAU last year, each player entered the transfer portal, and all have since found a new home. 

According to FAU’s NIL agreements, players who transfer before the completion of their contracts may be required to repay half of the remaining compensation owed under the deal.

The cases highlight a major challenge facing mid-major athletic programs attempting to navigate the modern landscape of NIL compensation and the NCAA transfer portal. Mid-major programs often struggle to retain top players who leave for larger programs offering more lucrative opportunities.

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Waseem landed at FAU after playing little in two seasons with the Colorado Buffaloes. He caught 66 receptions for 699 yards to go along with 5 touchdowns last season. On Sept. 22, 2025, Waseem signed a 15-month NIL deal with FAU for a licensing fee of $69,000, which would take him until the end of the 2026 season. However, after the conclusion of the 2025 season, he entered the transfer portal, and eventually signed with Purdue. 

Stolsky transferred to FAU from Minnesota prior to the 2025 season. He had a career year with the Owls, finishing second on the team in total tackles with 86, and coming away with a sack, and two pass deflections. He initially signed an NIL deal worth $12,000 on July 1, 2025, ending on Dec. 31. He later received a raise on Sept. 25, bumping his licensing fee to $45,000, and carrying him until the conclusion of the 2026 season. After the 2025 season, he entered the transfer portal, and signed with West Virginia. 

Sands was one of the few Tom Herman holdovers amidst the coaching change prior to the 2025 season. Sands also had a career year for the Owls last season, leading the team in carries (105), and rushing yards (465). He signed an NIL agreement on July 1, 2025 that paid him $1,000 per month until December, when his licensing fee was amended to $18,000. He entered the transfer portal after last season, and is now with Florida State. 

Paret was a true freshman for Florida Atlantic last season as one of their top high school recruits. He mostly saw action as a reserve, coming away with 15 total tackles and 1 pass deflection in nine appearances last season. Prior to his freshman season, he signed an NIL deal worth $30,000, taking him through Dec. 31, 2026. He also hit the transfer portal, and signed with UConn after the 2025 season. 

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: FAU sues former players for NIL transfer breaches