Why the SEC Should Take a Stand Against Tennessee’s Recent Actions

College football is facing a pivotal moment in its history, and the Southeastern Conference (SEC) finds itself at a crossroads.

The Tennessee Volunteers, a flagship program of the conference, have made headlines with their defiance against NCAA regulations, particularly in relation to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies, player payments, and roster sizes.

For the future of college football, the SEC must consider taking bold action to rein in Tennessee’s growing autonomy before it destabilizes the entire system.

Recently, the Tennessee State Legislature took steps to expand its opposition to NCAA oversight, specifically regarding NIL. Sports lawyer Mit Winter explained that the state’s new legislation could prohibit the NCAA from enforcing NIL regulations, unless such limits are enacted by federal law or court order.

This has led to a tense and often combative relationship between the state of Tennessee and the NCAA, particularly after Tennessee’s football program faced penalties for infractions during the Jeremy Pruitt era. The legislature has consistently sided with the Vols, and their victories in these battles have only emboldened their stance.

While Tennessee’s actions might seem like a win for the program, they pose a significant threat to the integrity and long-term health of college football. By allowing one school to operate in a manner that disregards common standards, other programs are placed at a severe disadvantage.

The Wild West nature of the current NIL landscape, where individual schools have vastly different approaches to recruitment and compensation, could soon lead to an irreparable divide in the sport.

Greg Sankey, the SEC commissioner, has a responsibility to protect the collective interests of the conference. If Tennessee continues to defy collective regulations, the SEC should not hesitate to take drastic action.

Expelling the Volunteers from the SEC would send a strong message that no program is above the broader interests of college football. This isn’t just about punishing Tennessee—it’s about ensuring fairness and stability across the entire landscape.

In this new era of college football, it’s crucial that players are compensated fairly, but as Georgia head coach Kirby Smart recently pointed out, the current system is unsustainable.

There needs to be a balance between athlete compensation and the viability of non-revenue sports, or the whole system could collapse. The SEC must step up and lead the way in creating a more equitable and sustainable future for college football—before it’s too late.