Tennessee Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against NCAA After Governing Body Attacks

On Tuesday, it was revealed that the NCAA is currently investigating the Tennessee Volunteers for claims of NIL

deals. The attorney general of Tennessee (and Virginia) has responded by filing a lawsuit against the governing body

of Division I collegiate athletics, according to The Associated Press.

The attorneys general’s lawsuit alleges that the NCAA is “enforcing rules that unfairly restrict how athletes can

commercially use their name, image, and likeness at a critical juncture in the recruiting calendar.” They argue that

the NCAA violated the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, which established the principle of free competition among

individuals involved in trade.

In 2021, the NCAA authorized players to receive compensation for their name, image, and likeness (NIL). They also

made the transfer portal more user-friendly. The recent verdict has radically altered the college scene. Multi-time

transfers are becoming the norm, players sign brand contracts before taking a snap, and conference reconfiguration

will offer teams with new obstacles. The NCAA, on the other hand, believes that the Tennessee football team and its

booster-funder NIL collective gained illicit gains from player compensation.

Donde Plowman, Chancellor of the University of Tennessee, issued a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker, saying

that they do not give colleges with clear laws regarding NIL. According to Plowman, the NCAA continues to

contradict itself about NIL guidelines.