By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
Notification Show More
Latest News
No. 11 Wisconsin stays red-hot with elusive win over Illinois, 95-74
No. 11 Wisconsin stays red-hot with elusive win over Illinois, 95-74
Game Analysis
LIV Golf explained | LIV on FOX
LIV Golf explained | LIV on FOX
Game Analysis
Shedeur Sanders might have revealed his preferred NFL team, all thanks to Madden
Shedeur Sanders might have revealed his preferred NFL team, all thanks to Madden
Game Analysis NFL
No. 14 Michigan St beats No. 13 Purdue 75-66, moves within half-game of 1st in Big Ten
No. 14 Michigan St beats No. 13 Purdue 75-66, moves within half-game of 1st in Big Ten
Game Analysis
Champions League: 10-man AC Milan eliminated, Club Brugge completes shocker
Champions League: 10-man AC Milan eliminated, Club Brugge completes shocker
Game Analysis
Aa
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Reading: Tennessee, Virginia AGs sue NCAA over NIL rules
Share
Aa
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Search
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
BigPaulSports > Blog > NCAA > Tennessee, Virginia AGs sue NCAA over NIL rules
NCAASports News

Tennessee, Virginia AGs sue NCAA over NIL rules

BigP
Last updated: 2024/02/01 at 12:57 AM
BigP Published February 1, 2024
Share
Tennessee, Virginia AGs sue NCAA over NIL rules
SHARE
  • Associated Press

Jan 31, 2024, 10:40 AM ET

The attorneys general of Tennessee and Virginia filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA on Wednesday that challenged its ban on the use of name, image and likeness compensation in the recruitment of college athletes, and in response to the association’s investigation of University of Tennessee.

The lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of Tennessee seeks to undercut NCAA rules against recruiting inducements and claims the association is “enforcing rules that unfairly restrict how athletes can commercially use their name, image and likeness at a critical juncture in the recruiting calendar.”

“These anticompetitive restrictions violate the Sherman Act, harm the States and the welfare of their athletes, and should be declared unlawful and enjoined.”

Tennessee AG Jonathan Skrmetti and Virginia’s Jason Miyares followed up by asking the court for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction by Feb. 6 that would prohibit the NCAA from enforcing NIL recruiting rules while the lawsuit plays out.

Editor’s Picks

The NCAA released a statement that did not directly address the Tennessee investigation, but did defend enforcement of recruiting rules — which are made by member schools.

“This legal action would exacerbate what our members themselves have frequently described as a ‘wild west’ atmosphere, further tilting competitive imbalance among schools in neighboring states, and diminishing protections for student-athletes from potential exploitation,” the NCAA said. “The NCAA remains firmly committed to protecting and expanding student-athletes’ NIL rights and opportunities. However, our membership has steadfastly supported the prohibition on impermissible recruiting contacts, booster involvement in recruiting prospects and the use of NIL offers as recruiting inducements.”

The latest legal attack on the NCAA came a day after the University of Tennessee’s chancellor ripped the association for investigating the school for potential recruiting violations related to NIL deals struck between athletes and a booster-funded and run organization that provides Volunteers athletes a chance to cash in on their fame.

The NCAA already is facing a lawsuit by a group of state attorneys general challenging the association’s transfer rules, plus it is the defendant in antitrust suits targeting employment status for athletes and billions in television revenue that schools and conferences make off big-time college sports.

NCAA President Charlie Baker and college sports leaders have been pleading for federal lawmakers to regulate NIL compensation and provide an antitrust exemption that would allow the association to govern without constantly being dragged into the court.

Earlier this month, the NCAA approved a set of NIL regulations aimed at creating transparency in the market for athletes and protecting them from potential bad actors.

Meanwhile, Baker also is pushing for rule changes that would allow schools to bring NIL activities in-house and even allow some schools to directly pay their athletes through trust funds.

On Tuesday, it was revealed the NCAA was investigating Tennessee and The Vol Club, an NIL collective run by Spyre Sports Group. Tennessee’s recruitment of five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava from California and his NIL contract with Spyre is among the deals receiving scrutiny from the NCAA.

Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman wrote a scathing letter to Baker shortly after school officials met with NCAA representatives to discuss the allegations earlier this week. She said leaders of collegiate sports owe it to students and their families to act in their best interest with clear rules — and the NCAA is nowhere close to providing that.

“Instead, 2½ 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,” Plowman wrote in the letter released Tuesday. “In short, the NCAA is failing.”

The university’s president and athletic director and the governor of Tennessee had her back Wednesday morning.

Athletic director Danny White shared the state attorney general’s post of the lawsuit on social media within 20 minutes, writing that he appreciated Skrmetti standing up for the rights of athletes.

“At Tennessee, we are always going to work to support our student-athletes’ rights and give them all the tools needed to succeed on and off the field,” White tweeted. “This is what strong leadership looks like!”

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee also applauded the University of Tennessee for being “nothing but forthcoming with the NCAA.”

“And I thank Chancellor Donde Plowman for taking a stand on behalf of all universities and student athletes,” Lee said in a statement.

Plowman was cheered by Tennessee fans during a pregame ceremony Tuesday night before the fifth-ranked Volunteers lost in men’s basketball to South Carolina.

Facing pressure from numerous states legislatures, the NCAA lifted its ban on athletes profiting from their names, images and likenesses in 2021 but did so with no detailed rules and regulations.

The association still had in place an interim NIL policy that fell back on previous broad rules against recruiting inducements, pay-for-play and boosters being involved in recruiting of athletes. The NCAA issued several clarifications of the policy and guidance to members over the next 18 months, including identifying third-party entities promoting a school’s athletic department as boosters.

The lawsuit suggests that even those rules break antitrust laws.

“The NCAA’s NIL-recruiting ban violates federal antitrust law, thwarts the free market, and unfairly limits student-athletes,” Miyares, the Virginia AG, wrote on social media. “We’re taking them to court.”

Sponsored Content

You Might Also Like

Top moments from Brady, Manning, Jordan and other athletes hosting ‘Saturday Night Live’

Rounding up athletes in Super Bowl LIX commercials: Beckham, Mahomes and the Mannings

FCS title game preview: Can North Dakota State knock off undefeated Montana State?

Doc to show tense Gastineau-Favre rift from ’23

BigP February 1, 2024
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print

Follow US

Find US on Social Medias
Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Youtube Subscribe
Telegram Follow
newsletter featurednewsletter featured

Weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

    Popular News
    Bills WR Diggs uncertain 'what the future holds'
    NFLSports News

    Bills WR Diggs uncertain ‘what the future holds’

    BigP BigP February 3, 2024
    Betting tips for Dallas Cowboys-San Francisco 49ers
    Browns’ Phillips has torn pec, ruled out for season
    Way-too-early Heisman contenders for the 2023 college football season
    How Titans’ Hubbard dealt with money issues, mental health and losing loved ones
    - Advertisement -
    Ad imageAd image

    Categories

    • Sports

    About US

    We offer information and tips on US Sports and evernts all over the world.
    Top Categories
    • Game Analysis
    • Free Picks
    • Services
    • Premium Content

    Subscribe US

    Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

      © Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.

      Removed from reading list

      Undo
      Welcome Back!

      Sign in to your account

      Lost your password?