Name, Image, Likeness with Kirby in mind

[Drewbydoo]

I think Kirby has spent enough on college already, yet he's willing to go another $15,000 in debt JUST to play next year.

This has been on my mind for a few days and it bothers me because many people think that college athletes are on full scholarship and they just aren't. So I wanted to gather data to see if Tennessee fans would be willing to help him out.

If there's interest in helping him, I/we or his family could contact the Tennessee Bursar's office and send them $5-10 that would directly go to his accrued balance.

Maybe this starts a discussion or a group forms to help out all the Volunteer Baseball players. Or some subset of them. Or, maybe it expands into other sports. I'm thinking The Volunteer Nation, much like The Bill's Mafia, could work together help Volunteer player's financially.

Maybe you can't make it to a game and sell the ticket and donate some portion of it to one of your favorite players and 100% goes to their tuition, housing, meal plan etc.

Anyway, it's been on my mind and I was just curious if people would even consider a small donation that in aggregate would partially or completely unburden their favorite athletes.

 

[Aerie Vol]

If this is legal, I got a Benjamin for the Bursar with an orange 35 on it.

 

[Drewbydoo]

If this is legal, I got a Benjamin for the Bursar with an orange 35 on it.

I'd like to kick around some ideas. I'm more worried about violating a Volnation Rule than I am breaking the law. It seems like if I contacted the Tennessee Bursar's office and gave them my credit card number and asked them to put 10 or 20 towards a player's balance, they'd happily do it.

However, if they started getting 50 calls an hour, hogging up their phone lines to the exclusion of regular students, THAT would be a problem.

Either way, I'd like to see if there's an interest from fans and then together figuring out a way that would effectively help the student athlete without driving the Bursar's office crazy.

What I like about the initial idea is that there's no one skimming off the top and that whatever the donation is, all of it goes to reduce student debt.

Plus, maybe we get to make Preacherman cry for joy.

 

[TN_gal]

If there's a way to donate, count me in.

 

[Dadof2Vols]

Why can’t Spyre setup an account dedicated to Kirby’s educational expenses and we designate it for that?

 

[Drewbydoo]

Why can’t Spyre setup an account dedicated to Kirby’s educational expenses and we designate it for that?

Allow for my ignorance, I don't know who Spyre is and how he's related or associated with Kirby, so I'm sure this person could.

Is Spyre on volnation? Are they a person or organization?

 

[VOLfrombama]

Allow for my ignorance, I don't know who Spyre is and how he's related or associated with Kirby, so I'm sure this person could.

Is Spyre on volnation? Are they a person or organization?

Spyre is the organization/collective established by some folks whose aim is to support Vols athletes by raising money from fans, sponsors, donors, etc. Aka Name, Image, and Likeness deals

 

[Drewbydoo]

Spyre is the organization/collective established by some folks whose aim is to support Vols athletes by raising money from fans, sponsors, donors, etc. Aka Name, Image, and Likeness deals

Thank you. I'm all over it and going to check them out.

 

[WillisWG]

Why can’t Spyre setup an account dedicated to Kirby’s educational expenses and we designate it for that?

Student-athletes may earn compensation for the use of their NIL. Such compensation must be commensurate with the fair market value of the authorized NIL use and may be provided in any form (i.e., cash, check, mobile payment app, product, good, service, etc.). Examples of permissible NIL activities include, but are not limited to student-athlete appearances, autograph signings, camps, clinics, and the promotion/endorsement of products and services.

The following is prohibited under the NCAA’s interim policy and may negatively impact a student-athlete’s intercollegiate athletics eligibility: (1) NIL agreement without quid pro quo (e.g., compensation for work not performed)


Tennessee Athletics Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) Information & Guidance

 

[Volprofch05]

I actually have a question about this. Does annyone know if athletes who are graduate students are allowed to serve as teaching assistants (TAs)? All of the grad students in my department are on TAs or research assistantships (RAs) that cover their tuition (either through waivers or funded by research grants). They also receive a stipend, so it’s more similar to a paying job. I don’t know how this meshes for NCAA rules, but have always been curious.

 

[Drewbydoo]

Spyre is the organization/collective established by some folks whose aim is to support Vols athletes by raising money from fans, sponsors, donors, etc. Aka Name, Image, and Likeness deals

I just read about Spyre, other collectives and congress and honestly, That doesn't cut it for me because it's already politicized and "before congress".

I want players to get tangible dollars from their fans... NOW. There's no reason to wait for congress or a collective or attorneys when I believe we can just do something now or a week from now.

I think Spyre is going in the right direction, but because of the NCAA, congress etc. That's too slow and I'm pretty sure someone else will be profiting off of it.

Everyone has a credit card or debit card or some way to electronically spend money online and so far, I can't think of a better, faster way than to ust send money to the Tennessee Bursar's office on behalf of student athlete's because it's an instant transfer of a small amount of money that in total could make a huge difference to athletes immediately without ANY risk of some other person or organization benefiting other than the student athlete.

Thank you very, VERY much for letting me know what Spyre is though, but I that avenue is already bogged down in red tape we can avoid.

 

[VolPack22]

I’m sure there is a compliance officer within the AD that can tell us what we can and can’t do…

 

[Dadof2Vols]

I just read about Spyre, other collectives and congress and honestly, That doesn't cut it for me because it's already politicized and "before congress".

I want players to get tangible dollars from their fans... NOW. There's no reason to wait for congress or a collective or attorneys when I believe we can just do something now or a week from now.

I think Spyre is going in the right direction, but because of the NCAA, congress etc. That's too slow and I'm pretty sure someone else will be profiting off of it.

Everyone has a credit card or debit card or some way to electronically spend money online and so far, I can't think of a better, faster way than to ust send money to the Tennessee Bursar's office on behalf of student athlete's because it's an instant transfer of a small amount of money that in total could make a huge difference to athletes immediately without ANY risk of some other person or organization benefiting other than the student athlete.

Thank you very, VERY much for letting me know what Spyre is though, but I that avenue is already bogged down in red tape we can avoid.

I was afraid without an organization it would be the same as giving the kid 25k under table like Satan used to do and be in violation of rules.

 

[@1RBFjr]

Thank you. I'm all over it and going to check them out.

I think they are more geared towards football and both basketball teams. They are the higher interest sports.

From seeing it on social media in the past couple of months, Christian Moore has an agreement with Next Level NIL, however I know absolutely nothing about any of the NILs. They are a business, so if I was giving money that was meant for an athlete, it would be important to me what percent of the money actually goes to the athlete and how quickly does it get to them.

I'm sure there are other questions about NILs, but since I don't have any plans to send them money, I don't spend time thinking about them.

 

[taylorvol]

I actually have a question about this. Does annyone know if athletes who are graduate students are allowed to serve as teaching assistants (TAs)? All of the grad students in my department are on TAs or research assistantships (RAs) that cover their tuition (either through waivers or funded by research grants). They also receive a stipend, so it’s more similar to a paying job. I don’t know how this meshes for NCAA rules, but have always been curious.

I used to participate in the Vol Career Network in the 90s which UT implemented right after NCAA changed their bylaws allowing student athletes to work. UT essentially invited donors and businesses to have dinner with athletes and network. Peyton Manning spoke at one of those dinners and I remember sitting with Peerless Price and Peyton’s then linebacker roommate from Nashville area (his name escapes me). Anyway, pretty sure it’s still legal for athletes to be gainfully employed.

 

[VolPack22]

We could create a fellowship grant for Kirby for the purpose of researching his stache.

 

[taylorvol]

Student-athletes may earn compensation for the use of their NIL. Such compensation must be commensurate with the fair market value of the authorized NIL use and may be provided in any form (i.e., cash, check, mobile payment app, product, good, service, etc.). Examples of permissible NIL activities include, but are not limited to student-athlete appearances, autograph signings, camps, clinics, and the promotion/endorsement of products and services.

The following is prohibited under the NCAA’s interim policy and may negatively impact a student-athlete’s intercollegiate athletics eligibility: (1) NIL agreement without quid pro quo (e.g., compensation for work not performed)


Tennessee Athletics Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) Information & Guidance

I once Venmo’ed an athlete some money after an NIL event. I didn’t buy anything at the event but did eat dinner at the restaurant beforehand. Anyway, I looked up his Venmo and felt confident it was his and just sent him some dinero. I felt it was legal under NIL bc he took pictures and chatted with my family. Like the OP, I wanted him to have 100% of the money and not a small portion of the proceeds from the NIL merchandise. If someone could check if this was okay, it’d be great to have this as an option but would need verified legit Venmo’s as too many folks would setup look alikes.

 

[@1RBFjr]

If there was only a way to buy Kirby Connell merchandise. . . .

Is there anyone on Volnation that could point you in the right direction?

(ahem, @preacherman20 )

 

[Aerie Vol]

We could create a fellowship grant for Kirby for the purpose of researching his stache.

Bwahahaha. Brilliant!

I'll say this - I've gotten $100 worth of cred from wearing Vollie's jersey, so he's "paid for" any $ I send, IMHO. But I'm sure the AA disagrees.

 

[VolPack22]

In all seriousness, all we would have to do is pool the money together and have him do an autograph signing hosted by someone in Knoxville.

 

[Volprofch05]

We could create a fellowship grant for Kirby for the purpose of researching his stache.

Sounds good, just let me know which funding agency supports stache research!

 

[taylorvol]

I’m sure there is a compliance officer within the AD that can tell us what we can and can’t do…

Nil@utk.edu

 

[WillisWG]

01 General Principles. 15.01.1 Institutional Financial Aid Permitted. A student-athlete may receive scholarships or educational grants-in-aid administered by (see Bylaw 15.02.1) an educational institution that do not conflict with the governing legislation of this Association. (See Bylaws 15.01.6.1, 16.3, 16.4 and 16.12.) (Revised: 5/26/09) 15.01.1.1 Financial Aid to Attend Another Institution. An institution may not provide financial aid to a studentathlete to attend another institution, except as specifically authorized by NCAA legislation. (Adopted: 1/16/93) 15.01.1.1.1 Exception -- Scholarship to Attend Vocational School. A conference or an institution may provide a scholarship to a student-athlete to attend a vocational school. Such a scholarship may be provided in addition to a full grant-in-aid and shall not be limited. (Adopted: 8/12/20, Revised: 10/6/21) 15.01.2 Improper Financial Aid. Any student-athlete who receives financial aid other than that permitted by the Association shall not be eligible for intercollegiate athletics. 15.01.3 Financial Aid Not Administered by Institution. Any student who receives financial aid other than that administered by the student-athlete's institution shall not be eligible for intercollegiate athletics competition, unless it is specifically approved under the Association's rules of amateurism (see Bylaw 12) or the aid is: (Revised: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11) (a) Received from one upon whom the student-athlete is naturally or legally dependent; or (b) Awarded solely on bases having no relationship to athletics ability; or (c) Awarded through an established and continuing program to aid students under the conditions listed in Bylaw 15.2.6.4.

15.01.4 Contributions by Donor. An individual may contribute funds to finance a scholarship or grant-in-aid for a particular sport, but the decision as to how such funds are to be allocated in the sport shall rest exclusively with the institution. It is not permissible for a donor to contribute funds to finance a scholarship or grant-in-aid for a particular student-athlete.

 

[Drewbydoo]

.

 

[WillisWG]

Friends of Basevols - Friends of Basevols

NIL has officially come to Tennessee baseball. Community leaders, including some current basevols themselves, have come together with Blueprint Sports to launch Friends of Basevols, a Name, Image and Likeness collective supporting UT baseball athletes.

UT alum Craig Jenkins is leading the collective along with help from basevols Evan Russell, Kirby Connell and Jordan Beck. “These young men embody character and determination; they deserve to have our fan base solidly behind them in whatever capacity, large or small,” Jenkins said.