Nico Iamaleava might be heading back to California, but the former Tennessee quarterback won’t bring SEC-level money.
Reports this week have UCLA offering the talented transfer a deal worth around $1.8 million. Still, once taxes are cut through, Iamaleava is only expected to pocket just under $920,000, according to a breakdown widely circulated online.
That number left fans doing a double-take. The tax hit alone amounts to over $880,000, including $617,618 in federal income tax and $210,027 in California state taxes. Factor in FICA and California’s SDI tax, and it’s a financial haircut that’s hard to ignore. It’s a far cry from the reported $2.4 million he made at Tennessee, where he was on pace to potentially earn $10 million if he stayed all four years.
🚨WILD🚨
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 17, 2025
NICO IAMALEAVA WILL ONLY MAKE $900,000 AT UCLA AFTER TAXES.
Federal Income Tax: $617,618
California State Income Tax: $210,027
Federal Payroll Taxes (FICA): $50,953
California SDI Tax: $1,684
Total Taxes: $880,283
Net Income: $919,716
Iamaleava reportedly wanted $4M. pic.twitter.com/QOaBEr2lWR
Fans React To The Shocking Math
As the numbers made their rounds online, fans didn’t hold back from criticizing Iamaleava.
“Only 900k? Poor guy, can he live off of that?” one commenter wrote, dripping with sarcasm.
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Only 900k? Poor guy can he live off of that?
— Bet Raven (@BetRaven190971) April 17, 2025
Another posted, “Threw away his career for half of what Tennessee were paying him.”
Threw away his career for half of what Tennessee were paying him 😭😭😭
— Gerog (@Gerog__) April 17, 2025
One user bluntly put it, “Consequence of being greedy.”
Consequence of being greedy
— AJ Muse (@aj_muse_) April 17, 2025
And then came the familiar refrain: “Tax almost 50%!!!!”
Tax almost 50%!!!!
— Johnny (@VictoryGallop1) April 17, 2025
The buzz started after Colin Cowherd reported on Wednesday that Nico Iamaleava plans to transfer to UCLA. While the move isn’t official yet, multiple outlets, including ESPN’s Chris Low, confirmed that Iamaleava had been seeking $4 million to stay at Tennessee. Low noted that UCLA’s offer wasn’t “remotely close” to that number.
Iamaleava’s decision has stirred debate well beyond the football field. Trey Wallace of OutKick highlighted that the California offer “becomes even less when you factor in California’s steep income taxes and cost of living.” Those financial factors are now front and center in the conversation, as fans question the value of the move, both professionally and economically.
Iamaleava, a former five-star recruit from Long Beach, helped lead Tennessee to the College Football Playoff but struggled during SEC play and against Ohio State. The Bruins, currently rebuilding their offense in the Big Ten, could offer him a fresh start. But with the money so far off his original expectations, it’s a move raising just as many eyebrows as it does hopes.
Also Read: Former Tennessee Volunteers Star QB Nico Iamaleava Picks Surprising New Team For The 2025 Season
