KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee leaders and lawmakers alike are showing their support for the University of Tennessee after it was revealed Tuesday that the NCAA was investigating the college for allegations that it violated rules overseeing name, image and likeness compensation to athletes.
Chancellor Donde Plowman wrote a letter to Charlie Baker on Monday shortly after Tennessee officials met with NCAA representatives to discuss the allegations. She said leaders of collegiate sports owe it to students and their families to act in their best interest with clear rules—and that the NCAA is nowhere close to providing that.
“Instead, 2 1/2 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 short, the NCAA is failing.”
The Tennessee Attorney General and the Virginia Attorney General filed a lawsuit against the NCAA that accuses the association of unfairly restricting how athletes can use their NIL at a "critical" point of time in the recruiting season.
UT President Randy Boyd said he appreciates the leadership of Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, Plowman and UT Athletics Director Danny White for "standing up for the rights of [the] student-athletes in Tennessee and beyond."
Gov. Bill Lee thanked Plowman for "taking a stand on behalf of all universities and student athletes."
Tennessee Speaker Cameron Sexton and East Tennessee Congressman Tim Burchett also showed support.