Rick Barnes on NIL: 'We need to support it every way that we can'

Tennessee athletics director Danny White endorsed NIL collectives last week, both Spyre Sports and the Lady Vol Boost Her Club. Football coach Josh Heupel backed Spyre, too, during his press conference on Thursday.

On Friday, before Tennessee basketball practice at Pratt Pavilion, it was Rick Barnes who was following suit.

“I can only brag about Spyre and what they’ve done,” Barnes said. “I know our players that have been connected with them, it’s been helpful like you couldn’t believe. I know this, that NIL is here to stay. The fact that we have an NIL like Spyre, that is willing to help our players, and certainly it’s an opportunity for our fanbase to really understand what’s going on in college athletics and know that the NIL is here to stay.”

Spyre Sports and The Volunteer Club have helped Tennessee student-athletes earn almost $5 million in Name, Image and Likeness money. Spyre helps find deals and reach agreements for both male and female athletes in multiple sports across campus.

Specific to college basketball, Barnes explained that NIL can help keep players in school longer and become more familiar with the surrounding community.

“I think they’re going to look around, they’re going to find that being at the University of Tennessee is a great option,” Barnes said. “And not only with our terrific fanbase, but what the University, the partnership with Spyre, what’s going on there. We need to support it in every way that we can. Because I know what it has done for the players that have been involved and how much they appreciate it. 

“The longer we can keep the guys here, the more they’re going to be able to connect with the community, the more they’re going going to one day want to get back to the University the way we want all our players to do when they graduate and move on to their next profession, whatever that might be. We want them to be Volunteers for life. I think Spyre being a part of that is going to ring true to that.”

The Volunteer Club supports Tennessee student-athletes through a monthly membership program for donors and fans. The recently established Volunteer Legacy is the 501(c)(3) wing of Spyre, accepting tax-deductible donations.

“NIL is a huge part of the landscape now,” Heupel said on Thursday. “From the moment the ruling changed, you’ve heard me say how important it is. As a player, as a former player, the opportunities I would’ve been afforded. I think our players have handled it in a really positive way. Can’t underestimate at all the importance that Spyre has had in providing our players opportunities. It’s life-changing for them and it’s huge part of the success as we continue down this road as a program. That’s a huge part of it.”

The Lady Vol Boost Her Club recently partnered with Spyre in a deal with AT&T Fiber, signing Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker and Lady Vol basketball players Tamari Key, Sara Puckett and Jordan Walker.

“I believe we have only scratched the surface of what we are capable of in the greatest college sports city in America,” White said last week. “We have the biggest and best fanbase in college sports. Let’s continue to use that to our advantage. I encourage all of you to support our student-athletes and collectives. 

“Please support the Lady Vol Boost-Her club and Sprye sports and their Volunteer club. These collectives have made it their mission to support our student athletes and help Tennessee athletes be the best that we can be.”