Posted 5/2/24

Several state attorneys general, including Tennessee, announced Wednesday they are suing the NCAA for "unlawfully restraining competition for name, image and likeness opportunities."

In 2021, the NCAA was forced to change its rules amid court challenges and state laws to allow players to profit from their name, image and likeness. This meant that collegiate athletes could participate in sponsorship opportunities for the first time, such as endorsements or making paid appearances.

The rule change resulted in players often basing their decisions on where to play on monetization rather than on playing opportunities or facilities. NIL deals for basketball and football players have reportedly reached into the millions.

However, the NCAA does place some limits on how players can monetize their names.

The antitrust lawsuit by Tennessee, Florida, New York, the District of Columbia and Virginia seeks to allow players to inquire about NIL opportunities during the signing and transfer process.

Now, the case will move on to the legal process, with millions awaiting the outcome.