NCAA releases statement on lawsuit filed by Tennessee and Virginia

Shortly over 24 hours after it was initially reported that Tennessee was under further investigation from the NCAA regarding its use of name, image and likeness – the organization has released a statement following a law suit filed against the NCAA from the Tennessee and Virginia attorney’s office.

“While the NCAA generally does not comment on specific infractions cases, it is important to remember that NCAA member schools and conferences not only make the rules but routinely call for greater enforcement of those rules and holding violators accountable,” the statement read. “In recent years, this has been especially true as it relates to establishing and enforcing a consistent set of national rules intended to manage the name, image and likeness environment.

“This legal action would exacerbate what our members themselves have frequently described as a “wild west” atmosphere, further titling competitive imbalance among schools in neighboring states, and diminishing protections for student-athletes from potential exploitation. 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 NCAA has released a statement on today's lawsuit filed by TN and VA challenging the NCAA's NIL rules.

"This legal action would exacerbate what our members themselves have frequently described as a 'wild west' atmosphere."https://t.co/GGW0bmQYAd pic.twitter.com/ykn5wactOG

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) January 31, 2024

The suit has been in the works for weeks though the university has yet to receive a notice of allegations. Tennessee chancellor Donde Plowman sent a letter to NCAA president Charlie Baker on Tuesday, not holding back any frustrations from the lack of communication and ‘untrue’ accusations alleged to Tennessee.

“It is intellectually dishonest for the NCAA enforcement staff to pursue infractions cases as if student-athletes have no NIL rights and as if institutions all have been functioning post-Alston with a clear and unchanging set of rules and willfully violating them,” Plowman stated in the three-page letter.

The Chancellor backed up her words Wednesday morning while speaking to reporters.

“Think about it this way,” Plowman said prior to a scheduled meet and greet. “If someone charges you, your family or your children with something that you didn’t do and you think is unfair, you are going to speak up. That’s how I feel. There was no question in my mind about what to do. I made that clear in the letter.

“When you are leading a university and someone attacks you and makes an allegation that isn’t true I will always respond. And the most significant thing about that is that I will always stand up for our student athletes and that’s really who the attack was really on if you want to be honest about it. It won’t be the last time I stand up for student athletes.” 

Since Plowman’s initial remarks on Tuesday afternoon, the university’s leadership has received well backing on social media from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Senator Marsha Blackburn. Following the news of the attorney general’s suit against the NCAA, Tennessee Director of Athletics Danny White took to social media to thank attorney general Jonathan Skrmetti for his support of student athletes.

Tom Mars, a lawyer on behalf of Sypre Sports, released a statement on the NIL agreement with quarterback Nico Iamaleava, which is at the center of the investigation by the NCAA.

On behalf of Spyre Sports Group: @SpyreSports@TheVolClub @JChadHatmaker https://t.co/Sw4pNQHWmA pic.twitter.com/OnE1Z6XXNl

— Tom Mars (@TomMarsLaw) January 31, 2024

In December, the attorney general’s office in West Virginia filed suit over the inability to transfer multiple times. Several states joined in that suit and the NCAA changed their stance. The question now is what other states, if any, will join Tennessee and Virginia. It’s clear Tennessee is digging their heels in for a long fight.