So taking out NIL and even looking at the situation as an NCAA infraction

[cgrish]

uprivate plane would be paid for by a booster... that has always been a no-no. If they would have allowed that then buying meals and paying for hotel rooms as a booster would be ok. Which recruits would love to have someone do on unofficial visits. I'm not sure the point of contention with Nico was an official or unofficial visit. Unofficial the recruits pay all expenses.

The way I understand it with nil, a booster can be a part of nil, which would make it ok? If they were a part of the nil?

 

[LWSVOL]

The way I understand it with nil, a booster can be a part of nil, which would make it ok? If they were a part of the nil?

yes, paying through a collective.

 

[cgrish]

yes, paying through a collective.

That's what I thought, but wasn't sure. So I don't know what problems ncaa sees here.

 

[LWSVOL]

That's what I thought, but wasn't sure. So I don't know what problems ncaa sees here.

and we won't know until the letter of allegations is delivered to Tennessee. I know there has been all kinds of discussion about a plane flight for Nico but we (fans) have not seen the detailed allegation or know particulars about them.

The allegations include multiple violations. The Nico thing is the only specific that has been leaked without details. But multiple violations involving multiple sports programs at Tennessee, could be basketball, baseball, golf, track etc... Again, we need to see the NOA..

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

and we won't know until the letter of allegations is delivered to Tennessee. I know there has been all kinds of discussion about a plane flight for Nico but we (fans) have not seen the detailed allegation or know particulars about them.

The allegations include multiple violations. The Nico thing is the only specific that has been leaked without details. But multiple violations involving multiple sports programs at Tennessee, could be basketball, baseball, golf, track etc... Again, we need to see the NOA..

Since it's multiple violations across a lot of sports, it's a fair bet they're targeting how Spyre and UT are "coordinating efforts."

Given the response from Plowman and Spyre regarding how NIL business is conducted, I'd say the NCAA thinks UT and Spyre are "too cozy" and UT and Spyre think the NCAA is changing the definition of "too cozy."

The people grinning like rattlesnakes are those ace NIL attorneys Spyre hired. They're about to enhance their reputation AND put a big hunk of money in their retirement fund.

 

[EZE]

the University could pay for flight and travel for official visits. Everything has to be paid for by the recruits family for unofficial visits. The instance the NCAA is pointing to with Nico was an unofficial visit.

Now with Spyre sports there still should be no problem with them paying for his flight or providing transportation because he is their client, what the NCAA is trying to say is collectives fall under the old booster bylaw. This is why many people dont think the NCAA has a very good case.

This could very well be the case that buries the NCAA for good. It is archaic. It wasn’t any good at enforcing the rules even during its so-called day in the sun. And it is not equipped at all to govern the current landscape.

College sports are at their point of reckoning. A complete re-organization is needed…along with an appropriate overseer…to govern the current product.

Just MO.

 

[EZE]

Since it's multiple violations across a lot of sports, it's a fair bet they're targeting how Spyre and UT are "coordinating efforts."

Given the response from Plowman and Spyre regarding how NIL business is conducted, I'd say the NCAA thinks UT and Spyre are "too cozy" and UT and Spyre think the NCAA is changing the definition of "too cozy."

The people grinning like rattlesnakes are those ace NIL attorneys Spyre hired. They're about to enhance their reputation AND put a big hunk of money in their retirement fund.

Sounds like an “ex post facto” attempt to get the horse back in the barn. The courts will have a field day with this latest burst of ineptitude by the outdated NCAA.

 

[LWSVOL]

Since it's multiple violations across a lot of sports, it's a fair bet they're targeting how Spyre and UT are "coordinating efforts."

Given the response from Plowman and Spyre regarding how NIL business is conducted, I'd say the NCAA thinks UT and Spyre are "too cozy" and UT and Spyre think the NCAA is changing the definition of "too cozy."

The people grinning like rattlesnakes are those ace NIL attorneys Spyre hired. They're about to enhance their reputation AND put a big hunk of money in their retirement fund.

I've thought this is a potential problem all along. Not that UT and Sprye are too cozy, but boosters being involved.

Boosters LOVE to be close to players and be buddy, buddy with them. and I'm a booster. Been there. They love buying them a meal or taking them somewhere nice or buy them something.. Just the way its always been.

So, really conceivable to me for boosters who give to sprye getting close to players that are clients of sprye. Would not be surprising that some boosters crossed some lines.. and this has ALWAYS been against the rules.

20 years ago, on a very cold night after a football game, I gave a player a ride from Neyland to the dorm. I parked in lot 9. Some how compliance got wind of that event. I got a call the next week and they threaten to take my tickets away if I did anything like that again. Doing that was against the rules then, its an "extra benefit" and its against the rules still.

I'm not saying that is what is happened. Don't know and won't until allegations are public. Its just way too early to know what the allegations are.

 

[onevol74]

Remember that Donde stated that the facts presented by the NCAA were false.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

I've thought this is a potential problem all along. Not that UT and Sprye are too cozy, but boosters being involved.

Boosters LOVE to be close to players and be buddy, buddy with them. and I'm a booster. Been there. They love buying them a meal or taking them somewhere nice or buy them something.. Just the way its always been.

So, really conceivable to me for boosters who give to sprye getting close to players that are clients of sprye. Would not be surprising that some boosters crossed some lines.. and this has ALWAYS been against the rules.

20 years ago, on a very cold night after a football game, I gave a player a ride from Neyland to the dorm. I parked in lot 9. Some how compliance got wind of that event. I got a call the next week and they threaten to take my tickets away if I did anything like that again. Doing that was against the rules then, its an "extra benefit" and its against the rules still.

I'm not saying that is what is happened. Don't know and won't until allegations are public. Its just way too early to know what the allegations are.

Somewhere in this mass of comments on VN, "Stoerner Fumbles" mentioned that a booster did something and was talking too much about "being helpful" and the powers that be were pissed about it.

That's the thing with cameras everywhere and people able to film or record you in seconds, it's even harder to get away with ANY tiny thing which, like your ride, is just a gesture of kindness until the NCAA or compliance hear about it.

It's going to be another long off-season wondering what the NCAA is looking at us for but the stakes seem a little higher this time.

 

[LWSVOL]

Remember that Donde stated that the facts presented by the NCAA were false.

JMO, not facts until in the NOA and given to Tennessee. I can't say how much if any documentation they received at the meeting in Indy. Might have just been a verbal discussion.

BTW its allegations, not facts

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Also, if I’m not mistaken, doesn’t Spyre qualify more as a business in itself and not the actual collective? If im understanding it right, The Volunteer Club is our actual collective which didn’t have anything do do with Nico flying in. Am I right?

I believe Spyre is a private business

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

I agree with this. Schools outside of Texas and Oklahoma in the SEC will have more limited resources and will not be able to compete with the outrageous amounts of money if those schools really want a player. Look at aTm over the last two years. Even Alabama could not afford that roster. I am not sure that major UT donors are willing to get into that game and just start throwing their money away on potential talent. After all, what good are bought championships? You are not really earning them, just buying them.

Money doesn’t equal championships, but NIL is better than under the table cash and cherry picking teams to pick on. Don’t fool yourself thinking top players haven’t been getting paid prior to NIL. Not all players are going to make millions now. But the NCAA had a ton of time over the years to find a solution. And now that NIL is here leveling the playing field among top players they are suddenly trying to revert to old rules again and identify spyre as a booster collective. The NCAA has always had booster on the brain, all power 5 schools have them. But instead of letting the boosters take care of this problem they have pretended to monitor booster activity fairly, but in reality they cherry pick who to hit and how hard to hit. The inconsistency is well documented. Now that there is a way for athletes to make money on their name image and likeness the NCAA wants authority over it as well when in fact they can’t govern a lemonade stand without screwing something up. That the NCAA cares about the student athlete and fairness across the board is a total farce. I am tired of selective booster enforcement. The NCAA has been hiding behind that load of crap for years, protect your friends and keep everyone else chasing. Folks are tired of the NCAA and there ways.

 

[volbound1700]

private plane would be paid for by a booster... that has always been a no-no. If they would have allowed that then buying meals and paying for hotel rooms as a booster would be ok. Which recruits would love to have someone do on unofficial visits. I'm not sure the point of contention with Nico was an official or unofficial visit. Unofficial the recruits pay all expenses.

Yeah, agreed. However, if you went to UT for academics or other reasons, you could do all of that without any issues. College Sports is the only group that is managed this way and I think this is why Alston happened.

 

[MemphisVol77]

I agree with this. It is not even how the NFL works. Not sure why folks think a bidding war for 18-year-olds is a good thing.

Comparing player acquisitions between a professional and amateur league is a fundamentally flawed apples to oranges comparison, but that's exactly how NIL works in the NFL.

The NFL places no restrictions on players signing with agents (or collectives) and receiving endorsements for their NIL before being drafted or signing with a team.

Not sure why folks think a bidding war for 18-year-olds is a good thing.

It's always been a bidding war.

Don’t agree with him lol he has no understanding of antitrust laws…

Correct.

 

[BowlBrother85]

the University could pay for flight and travel for official visits. Everything has to be paid for by the recruits family for unofficial visits. The instance the NCAA is pointing to with Nico was an unofficial visit.

Now with Spyre sports there still should be no problem with them paying for his flight or providing transportation because he is their client, what the NCAA is trying to say is collectives fall under the old booster bylaw. This is why many people dont think the NCAA has a very good case.

Exactly. Both Plowman's and Danny White's response to this has been on point.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

I am still confused on how this is an infraction even pre-NIL.

Assuming NY Times facts are true that Nico had a flight to Knoxville paid for during his recruiting, aren't schools allowed to fly players in for recruiting? I mean, I am sitting here playing NCAA 2013 and scheduling visits. I thought that was legal under the old regime as well.

Is it because it was Sprye and not UTK itself?

The NCAA has prohibited the use of private planes by Universities and boosters to transport prospective player for years. Our NiL is not part of the University nor is classified as a booster and is recognized as such by State law.