The University of Tennessee is aggressively challenging the NCAA amid an investigation into potential violations of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules. UT-Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman sent a scathing letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker, labeling the NCAA's allegations as 'morally wrong,' 'factually untrue,' 'procedurally flawed,' and 'intellectually dishonest.' The dispute has escalated with Tennessee administrators meeting with NCAA enforcement and the state's attorney general filing an antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA. The lawsuit alleges unfair restrictions on student-athletes' ability to benefit from their NIL. Governor Bill Lee and other state officials have expressed support for the university's stance, with the entire state's legal and political apparatus going to war with the NCAA. The situation underscores the broader conflict between the NCAA's enforcement of NIL rules, the ambiguity in collective rules, and the evolving landscape of college athletics, including a potential lack of institutional control charge looming over Tennessee.
New story: Tennessee takes the fight public with the NCAA, with the backing of prominent politicians. https://t.co/lFTQJGAFzl
Tennessee’s fight with the NCAA is going to expose some uncomfortable truths: NIL is an ungovernable tax on fans, schools and the NCAA are both full of crap and the only way out is collective bargaining. My column: https://t.co/OUXNBdUyxZ via @USATODAY
Tennessee attorney general sues NCAA over ‘NIL-recruiting ban’ as UT fights back https://t.co/tjm0q7C8xe
The entire state of Tennessee’s legal and political apparatus has gone to war with the NCAA today. Pretty extraordinary. Love to see it. Well done.
Tennessee and Virginia attorneys general, as expected, file their motion for the Court to grant a temporary restraining order by Feb. 6 that would prohibit the NCAA from enforcing its NIL recruiting policies. https://t.co/NCqMPwxy9r
Tennessee and Virginia attorney generals, as expected, file their motion for the Court to grant a temporary restraining order by Feb. 6 that would prohibit the NCAA from enforcing its NIL recruiting policies. https://t.co/PKxnLLam5G
The hits keep coming for the NCAA. Now antitrust lawsuits from the states of Tennessee and Virginia challenging ANY restrictions on NIL. Charlie Baker didn't start these problems, but his Hail Mary to Congress may not be able to fix this. There will be (armies of) lawyers..
I took a long look at the paths forward with athlete compensation in November Re: Tennessee's mess and the NCAA's inability to govern. In short, the NCAA is stuck between a new model and enforcing rules under the old one. It's unsistainable for everyone. https://t.co/coiSrAgUiG
Good on Tennessee and @UTKnoxville for standing up for the rights of their student athletes. I’m calling on @SenateCommerce to take this issue up to hold the @NCAA accountable. https://t.co/gedB0R2wOj
Statement from TN AG: “Student-athletes are entitled to rules that are clear and rules that are fair. College sports wouldn’t exist without college athletes, and those students shouldn’t be left behind while everybody else involved prospers. The NCAA’s restraints on prospective… https://t.co/JA4XEUijj1
Tennessee’s governor weighs in. The NCAA is cooked. Big question now is how many other states join the lawsuit? I would bet most SEC state AG’s join TN and VA or file their own versions. Big Ten AGs too. https://t.co/q0aLYulAGQ
Now at @SatDownSouth: Tennessee is primed to take down the antiquated ideal of NCAA rules enforcement. And I’m here for it. https://t.co/F22poBLCxF
The University of Tennessee has been nothing but forthcoming with the NCAA, and I thank Chancellor Donde Plowman for taking a stand on behalf of all universities and student athletes. https://t.co/UEiI5tM2Q5
Statement: “Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares have filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA, alleging that the their restrictions on the ability of current and future student-athletes to negotiate and benefit from their… https://t.co/YH20matwf1
Appears the NCAA has another court case on its hands https://t.co/CYkpfCtHQB
Tennessee vs. NCAA heads to the courts. https://t.co/Wr15J5eCW7
ICYMI, Tennessee chancellor rips the NCAA as a 'failing' group pursuing untrue allegations in investigation of Vols. https://t.co/aVGzbUmvQc
Discussing the #Vols being under investigation by the NCAA now on Robby & @joerexrode on @1025TheGame https://t.co/rHUPL7HW80
Tuesday was one of those days in Knoxville ... NCAA looking into potential NIL violations at Tennessee ➡️ https://t.co/a3h6bLKeWz Donde Plowman eviscerates ‘failing’ NCAA ➡️ https://t.co/2QkjQ4MnxV Spyre attorney addresses Nico NIL deal ➡️ https://t.co/fmxneqQtj8 #Vols
NEW: In an effort to get a handle on what it let get out of control with NIL, the NCAA is making an example of Tennessee. It’s the Vols today. Could be anyone else tomorrow. And all of college sports knows it. https://t.co/ujA0VDFN8I
The NCAA is coming after Tennessee over recruitment by its NIL collective in early 2022. But as Tennessee’s chancellor notes, NCAA didn’t issue specific guidelines about collectives until several months later. Who will win this NIL enforcement showdown? https://t.co/TbgGewFr5q
Looks like Tennessee and NCAA enforcement aren’t pals anymore. Column. https://t.co/UZPsSEYpob
Tennessee chancellor rips the NCAA as a 'failing' group pursuing untrue allegations https://t.co/nYdHAxbfgk
Does the NCAA of 2024 still have the teeth to go after NIL collectives like we're still in 2022? We're about to find out. Because Tennessee isn't having it. https://t.co/zP8G5FMOEn https://t.co/zP8G5FMOEn
Column: Did the NCAA pick a fight with Tennessee that it can’t win? https://t.co/sFsB2zTgnp
Talking Tennessee vs. the NCAA on YouTube right now. https://t.co/o3vq23bK1J
Now that the NCAA is investigating Tennessee over NIL deals we have to revisit the nonsense they did with Tez Walker. They are back at it again! NCAA Plays VICTIM, But They Are Actually The VILLAIN https://t.co/samm1pfYza https://t.co/8IuGPqeNKr
Tennessee chancellor rips the NCAA as a 'failing' group pursuing untrue allegations https://t.co/z1nMcfdB32 in tandem with @ralphDrussoAP and myself
“In short,” UT chancellor wrote, “the NCAA is failing.” In reality, the system has failed. Each NIL investigation reinforces the mess. Trapped in purgatory & clinging to amateurism, college sports must not dip a toe in the pro-pool but plunge both feet. https://t.co/JzYQeCYncP
Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman Told the NCAA To Suck Her Cock in One of the Best Letters You'll Ever Read https://t.co/GaxiECKUO4 https://t.co/Ch26ORIG4x
Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman says ‘NCAA Is Failing’ in response to potential NIL allegations. Both sides are now sharpening their swords for battle, with a disagreement on penalties. Read: https://t.co/RRcECi0m3p https://t.co/MK0K8g6XQM
It's Tennessee vs. the NCAA after chancellor Donde Plowman came off the top rope Tuesday. But Tennessee won't be the only school fighting back if the NCAA keeps trying to enforce NIL rules that don't square with reality. https://t.co/Hq0FiMVvd6 https://t.co/v8poKHMLkK
The crux of NCAA's current problem, now playing out with Tennessee, is it has -- on one hand -- schools complaining to them about rules not being enforced and how it needs to "get a handle" on one thing or another (NIL, transfers, etc.) 1/2
Here's some excerpts of Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman's letter to NCAA president Charlie Baker. With a potential lack of institutional control charge looming, Tennessee fires back at NCAA for ambiguity in collective rules. https://t.co/rWM9MYfeDf
Updated story on NCAA investigation into Tennessee, with UT chancellor Donde Plowman firing back -- and confirming in the process that this is no small thing. https://t.co/IMydxpiKAS
Tennessee's chancellor calls out the NCAA and its new prez Charlie Baker, saying the NCAA is being "intellectually dishonest" and that the organization is “failing.” Reporting w/ @joerexrode & @davidubben on the Vols getting back in the NCAA's crosshairs: https://t.co/alVnkXQ3rQ
Tennessee/NCAA infractions story updated with fiery words from UT chancellor to NCAA president. Donde Plowman also hinted at a potential lack of institutional control charge for the Volunteers. https://t.co/eE5sXYk0HE
UT-Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman scorches the earth in letter to NCAA about its digging into #Vols' NIL situation. "Morally wrong." "Factually untrue." "Procedurally flawed." "Intellectually dishonest." LINK 👇 https://t.co/3QSu05mAhk
UT-Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman's letter to the NCAA was a legal diss track. She did everything but accuse the NCAA's parents of having a real good marriage.
Got a copy of UT-Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman's letter to the NCAA about its digging into Tennessee's NIL situation. If y'all wanted Tennessee to fight, you're getting exactly what you want. Plowman is not pleased and did not mince words. Story coming soon.
University of Tennessee chancellor sent a letter to Charlie Baker regarding an NCAA investigation into potential NIL rules violations by UT. First graf sums it up. https://t.co/JaS2pM0kuM
Per @AdamSparks, UT administrators met with NCAA enforcement on Monday to discuss the allegations against the school. Chancellor Donde Plowman chided the organization in a letter. Tennessee is expected to vehemently fight the allegations/charges. https://t.co/eVpApXo9wI https://t.co/qYkkIKpMj6
Plowman: "The NCAA's allegations are factually untrue and procedurally flawed." https://t.co/LxIIwgyrIe
Tennessee's chancellor hammers the NCAA for being "morally wrong," and undermining the credibility of the NCAA’s stated interest of acting in the best interest of student-athletes," email to the NCAA prez shows: https://t.co/alVnkXQ3rQ https://t.co/alVnkXQ3rQ
Tennessee goes on the offensive as @DondePlowman goes scorched earth in the @NCAA and their handling of new investigation. ⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/qkAfTk72hw
BREAKING: Tennessee's Donde Plowman slams NCAA as 'morally wrong' over NIL investigation, email to NCAA president shows https://t.co/Dl0hyIUhUE