The Knoxville News Sentinel reported on Friday afternoon that Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel has “joined the fight” against the NCAA.
According KNS, Tennessee attorney general Jonathan Skrmetti filed a brief on Friday that includes support from Heupel for the preliminary injunction which is scheduled for a hearing on February 13 in Greeneville, TN.
Heupel specifically voiced support for the ability of players to receive NIL deals early in their careers — specifically because most college football players don’t go on to earn massive NFL contracts.
“Many of these players don’t go on so these four to five years are all they get,” wrote Heupel according to the Knoxville News Sentinel. “We need to put them in position to make the right choice and make the most of their opportunities.”
“Only a small minority of student athletes go on to play pro,” added Heupel. “Because of the risk of injuries in college sports, an early NIL deal could be the best or only NIL deal they might ever secure.”
Heupel also added that “without the NIL-recruiting ban, UT would be even more competitive in recruiting the best athletes to come play here.”
The state of Tennessee’s request for a temporary restraining order against the NCAA’s enforcement of its NIL-recruiting ban was denied last week. But even though the TRO was denied, U.S. District Judge Clifton Corker wrote that the state of Tennessee (and Virginia, the co-plaintiff) is likely to win its lawsuit against the NCAA.
