NCAA responds to judge's decision to grant preliminary injunction in Tennessee, Virginia NIL lawsuit

Hours after a judge in Tennessee granted a preliminary injunction in a landmark NIL case, the NCAA has responded. Friday’s ruling means NIL collectives can now communicate with high school players and transfer portal players.

The attorneys general from Tennessee and Virginia filed the suit in light of an NCAA investigation into Tennessee for alleged recruiting violations. Under the current guidelines, collectives cannot discuss NIL until recruits sign with a program, and Friday’s ruling means the NCAA cannot enforce those rules until there’s either a settlement or the case goes to trial.

In its statement, the NCAA again called on Congress for help finding a solution and said the decision will lead to more chaos.

Statement from NCAA on today’s decision in Tennessee https://t.co/el2yaiXxSG pic.twitter.com/aG12x7ofnZ

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) February 23, 2024

“Turning upside down rules overwhelmingly supported by member schools will aggravate an already chaotic collegiate environment, further diminishing protections for student-athletes from exploitation,” the statement read. “The NCAA fully supports student-athletes making money from their name, image and likeness and is making changes to deliver more benefits to student-athletes but an endless patchwork of state laws and court opinions make clear partnering with Congress is necessary to provide stability for the future of all college athletes.”

Friday’s decision, made by judge Clifton L. Corker, came after a preliminary injunction hearing that lasted more than an hour.

“Without the give and take of a free market, student-athletes simply have no knowledge of their true NIL value,” Corker wrote in his decision. “It is this suppression of negotiating leverage and the consequential lack of knowledge that harms student-athletes.”

Part of the investigation into Tennessee involves the recruitment of Nico Iamaleava. The New York Times reported an NIL collective allegedly paid for Iamaleava to come to campus on a private jet. According to NCAA rules, NIL collectives cannot be involved in the recruiting process.

Public officials have also gotten involved. The Tennessee and Virginia attorneys general filed a suit in the Eastern District of Tennessee challenging the NCAA’s NIL rules regarding recruiting. A judge denied the temporary restraining order, but set a preliminary injunction hearing for Feb. 13.

A key reason for the denial, according to the judge, was that while the athletes are not able to obtain their true NIL value, the harm is monetary damages and not irreparable.

Officials on Capitol Hill also took a step against the NCAA. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) re-introduced the NCAA Accountability Act in light of the investigation into Tennessee.

Tennessee isn’t the only program to face an investigation into alleged NIL violations. Florida State received multiple punishments last month, including a three-game suspension for Alex Atkins. Florida is also dealing with an inquiry into the recruitment of Jaden Rashada.

Pete Nakos contributed to this report.