ESPN SHOCKER: Cameron Boozer Turns Down $4.5M Georgia NIL Deal to Stay at Duke—A Defiant Stand in Modern College Sports:
In an era where college athletes are increasingly making business decisions with multi-million-dollar NIL offers on the table, Duke freshman phenom Cameron Boozer just made a decision that sent shockwaves across both the college football and basketball landscapes. The 6’9″ dual-sport sensation, widely known for his hardwood dominance, stunned the sports world by turning down a jaw-dropping $4.5 million Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) package from the University of Georgia—where he was reportedly being groomed to replace outgoing quarterback Carson Beck.
Yes, you read that right.
Boozer, the son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer, already shocked recruiters by choosing to play both basketball and football at Duke, a program steeped in basketball tradition but not exactly a powerhouse on the gridiron. With rare athleticism, an NFL-caliber arm, and All-American footwork, Boozer had started to gain attention as a legitimate two-sport star, even drawing comparisons to Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders for his rare crossover potential.
But this week, Boozer took it a step further—not by chasing more money, but by rejecting it.
According to sources close to the situation, Georgia’s football program, fresh off back-to-back playoff appearances, offered Boozer an unprecedented NIL package that would have made him the highest-paid college quarterback before ever taking a snap. The pitch: succeed Carson Beck, elevate your brand in SEC territory, and step into a pro-style system with NFL scouts watching every throw.
Boozer’s answer?
No.
“It’s not just about money. It’s about legacy,” Boozer said in an exclusive interview with ESPN’s Pete Thamel. “Duke believed in me as a full student-athlete. I want to build something here—on both courts and fields. That matters more than a number on a check.”
What makes Boozer’s decision even more astonishing is that he’s not hurting financially. He quietly secured $2.1 million in NIL earnings back in December through a combination of basketball apparel partnerships, social media campaigns, and equity-based deals with innovative sportswear startups. His team says that number will grow—regardless of where he plays.
Still, turning down nearly double that amount to remain loyal to Duke is nearly unheard of in this modern college landscape, where athletes often enter the transfer portal chasing immediate payouts and bigger platforms.
Duke head football coach Mike Elko and men’s basketball coach Jon Scheyer both issued statements praising Boozer’s maturity and commitment.
“He’s the kind of leader you build a program around—twice,” Scheyer said.
While skeptics argue that Boozer may eventually need to choose one sport to focus on, for now, he’s proving that it’s still possible to prioritize loyalty, team culture, and long-term vision over the quick financial windfall.
As NIL continues to reshape the fabric of college athletics, Cameron Boozer just delivered a bold reminder: not every decision has a dollar sign attached to it.
And in doing so, he may have just authored the blueprint for a new era of student-athlete empowerment—on their own terms.
