Davis No-Shows on Radio NIL Deal

It appears, for first time, Arkansas Razorbacks guard will see consequences for being AWOL

Author:
Kent Smith
Updated:
Feb 12, 2024 9:33 PM EST
Original:
Feb 12, 2024

In this story:

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas guard Davonte Davis may have found favor with Razorbacks' head coach Eric Musselman, immediately plugging his way back into the line-up for nearly the entire game against Georgia after leaving the team for the previous three SEC contests. However, he won't find such grace with 103.7 "The Buzz" after blowing off a scheduled appearance on "The Zone" with Justin Acri and DJ Williams.

"We've got a busy day today," Acri teased at the top of the 10 o'clock hour. "The big news is, for the first time in weeks, we're going to hear from Devo Davis coming up at 10:45. We're excited to talk to Devo and get his thoughts on the game this weekend. He was the first guy off the bench for the Hogs as they pulled out a victory against Georgia, and I think some of us were concerned about that game."

However, as anticipated as his appearance was since fans had hoped to possibly gain insight as to what caused him to step away for those three games, there was obvious trouble. An interview stretched all the way to 10:46 before Acri announced they were still trying to track Davis down and would hopefully have him after the break.

Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Acri was left having to vamp with a sponsor in lieu of talking with Davis before he and Williams wander into impromptu Super Bowl talk.

When questions from listeners arose about Davis' no-show during "Drive Time Sports," the station's late afternoon show with Randy Rainwater, Rick Schaeffer and Ray Tucker, Rainwater minced no words, voicing frustration at how Davis has handled his NIL obligation.

"He's supposed to be appearing on The Zone," Rainwater said. "I don't know if it's specifically on Mondays or not. He was supposed to appear this morning. Had a difficult time tracking down last week. Finally got, supposedly, a commitment to come on today. Did not show up today. I assume it's costing him money. And if he wants to lay down ground rules with Justin, his agent, whoever it is wants to lay ground rules down and things he will talk or not talk about, that's one thing, but to make a commitment and then not show up, that's not good business."

While he didn't want to speak as to whether Davis' sponsors will continue to pay him, Rainwater seemed pretty clear the station wouldn't be cutting the Arkansas guard a break.

"You know, I can't speak for any of his sponsors, but no show, no pay," Rainwater said. "Typically how it works."