Tennessee Governor Bill Lee released a statement supporting the University of Tennessee and chancellor Donde Plowman on Wednesday morning.
“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 student athletes,” Lee wrote in a statement. “It’s time for the NCAA to establish clear rules in the interest of student athletes, rather than trying to retroactively enforce-ever changing name, image and likeness guidelines.”
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. pic.twitter.com/UEiI5tM2Q5
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) January 31, 2024
Sports Illustrated reported Tuesday that the NCAA was investigating Tennessee athletics for NIL related violations. The details of the investigation are limited but it appears to be surrounding the NCAA’s attempts to retroactively enforce its NIL rules that were not in place at the time said violations occurred.
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The State of Tennessee and University of Tennessee have responded to the NCAA with great fervor. Freedom of Information Acts revealed an email from Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman to NCAA President Charlie Baker that rips the organization’s NIL rules and called them “morally wrong” and “intellectually dishonest”.
“The leaders of intercollegiate athletics owe it to student-athletes and their families to establish clear rules and to act in their best interest,” Plowman stated according to KNS. “Instead, two and a half years of vague and contradictory NCAA memos, emails and ‘guidance’ about name, image and likeness (NIL) has created extraordinary chaos that student-athletes and institutions are struggling to navigate. In short, the NCAA is failing.”
The State of Tennessee and Commonwealth of Virginia filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA on Wednesday morning in regards to its NIL rules that keeps recruits from negotiating NIL deals with schools.
From the state of Tennessee’s governor and attorney general to the University of Tennessee President, Chancellor and Director of Athletics, the Vols’ front is unified against the NCAA as it goes on the offensive.
One Response
I’m proud of our governor and attorney general for calling out the NCAA citing ambiguity and enforcement of outdated policies. It’s clear that the NCAA is not looking out for the best interest of the student athlete while not providing clarity in how to navigate this new space in collegiate athletics. I hope more states will hop on the train.