Whatley, Now a Florida State University Student, Won $10,000 As the 2024 National Champion Plus Two $500 Awards

Briana Whatley is suing Florida gubernatorial candidate James Fishback for $8,000 in unpaid scholarship money from Incubate Debate, a competition he founded. Whatley, now a Florida State University student, won $10,000 as the 2024 national champion plus two $500 awards. The lawsuit, filed in Broward County small claims court, alleges Fishback ignored emails, changed payment terms, and paid only $3,000 in December.

Fishback admitted he "totally dropped the ball" in a text. Whatley claims he cut off communication after a missed February installment. A pretrial conference is set for September 9. Fishback, 31, is running in the August 18 Republican primary against Byron Donalds and Jay Collins.

He recently survived a residency challenge. The suit follows a 2023 episode where both criticized the National Speech and Debate Association over censorship.