Tennessee Football, NFL Draft Effects, + ICYMI | NIL Newsletter #212
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Quick Hitters:
Tennessee Under NCAA Investigation, AG Files Suit
On Tuesday, news broke that the University of Tennessee was under investigation for violations related to NIL. This comes less than a year after the University was charged with 18 Level I violations and fined $8 million.
The case revolves primarily around activities by the Tennessee-focused Spyre Sports Group Collective.
Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman wrote a letter to NCAA president Charlie Baker, calling the allegations “factually untrue and procedurally flawed.”
“Moreover, 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,” said Plowman.
Later on Tuesday, the Attorney generals from Tennessee and Virginia filed a federal lawsuit against the NCAA, alleging that the association’s name, image, and likeness rules are a violation of federal antitrust laws.
The suit alleges that the NCAA has violated antitrust laws by denying athletes the ability to earn full compensation for their NIL. The attorney generals are seeking a temporary injunction that could suspend the NCAA’s current guidelines.
Senior Bowl Rosters Take Hit From NIL
This year, only 58 underclassmen declared for the NFL draft, the fewest since 2011 (56).
Jim Nagy, Executive Director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl, said that there are fewer strong options down the line than in years past.
“Rounds five through seven on our board got wiped out in the month of December,” said Nagy, . “We’ll see what it looks like in April. NIL is a great thing for the players, an awesome thing, but it does have an effect on the draft, whatever that may be.”
NFL Network Analyst Daniel Jeremiah believes that this phenomenon will actually help the NFL in the long run: “For the NFL, eventually you get an easier evaluation because there is more tape to go off of, there is a longer career, there is a bigger track record. I think in the long term, everybody wins.”
ICYMI
Ohio State Quarterback Julian Sayin signed a multi-year deal with Panini. LINK
Sneakers worn by Greg Schiano during their bowl victory were auctioned off to support The Knights of The Raritan. LINK
Iowa partnered with UScellular to launch a NIL campaign featuring two student-athletes. LINK
Have you checked out OSC’s website?
Head to www.OptimumSportsConsulting.com to find important resources and features relating to all things NIL. These resources include State by State Resources for Admins, Agents and Athletes, including our initial “OSC Summaries” for over a dozen states coming soon.
More to come too, including links to helpful state information- agency laws and information about school policies, as well as seminar/congressional notes, worksheets, and much more!