Forgive my ignorance here... is it even a "verbal" agreement if it's a text message?
I'm not sure exactly what Northern is arguing, because he's really not very smart. And depending on the exact language, it's possible that a text message might merely be a confirmation of the already-existing verbal agreement.
But the fact remains...even if Hathnocock and others rapidly disowned the signed contract...
All of their BEHAVIOR and STATEMENTS, if true, provide a pretty strong case for both "tortious interference with a contract" (i.e., getting Jaden Rashada to break a perfectly valid contract with the UM Collective and/or John Ruiz and/or LifeWallet) and "detrimental reliance" (i.e., Rashada being assure that he would still get the money, but that Hathnocock had to change up the payor because he was selling the company, thus causing Rashada to rely on these promises instead of visiting other schools, soliciting other NIL deals, and possibly signing with another school).
As for the fraud stuff that you mentioned, I think Florida MAYBE woulda/coulda/shoulda been OK with Rashada enrolling, but I don't think they ever intended to PAY him the full 13+ million. I think they used the larger amount as an inducement to sign, realizing that all of his other potential NIL deals would dry up, thus allowing Florida to name a much lower price if Jaden didn't want to burn his free transfer (which, at the time, you were allowed ONE free transfer).
And, to be honest, once December 2023 rolled around and Lagway was on the payroll, I think Florida would have been willing to make Rashada a "salary cap casualty", if that's what it took.
