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SEC Powerhouse Receives Major Advantage In New Law Signed By Governor

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated May 29, 2025 6:06 PM ET

Tennessee won't attempt to sidestep the forthcoming House v. NCAA settlement despite a state law signed earlier this month.

Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports previously reported that Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill on May 1 that could allow state schools and universities to defy new rules related to the House settlement. The six-page document also blocked college sports from punishing programs that violated those protocols.

The $2.8 billion House settlement would cap school spending and create a revenue-sharing system. Schools would be allowed to directly pay athletes for their NIL rights.

However, the power conferences moved swiftly to close any legal loopholes. Per Dellenger, SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC officials drafted a bill that prevents universities from using state laws to circumvent new rules.

Schools would also waive their rights to seek legal action against a potential new college sports commission, which the White House has paused plans to create.

Despite Lee's efforts, the Volunteers won't try to defy the House settlement.

On Monday, Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman told Dellenger that the university will sign the affiliation agreement. Sankey said that all 16 SEC members have agreed to sign the document and "alter or clarify" any state laws that could defy the House settlement.

According to Dellenger, Power Four conference members had little choice but to sign the affiliation agreement. Any holdouts could risk losing conference membership.

One athletic director told Dellenger that you "have to sign it" to schedule games with other conference members.

"As a condition of membership, you must comply with the settlement and enforcement," a power conference president said.

Dellenger also noted that the Tennessee law addressed the possibility of such an agreement attempting to negate its law. Ramogi Huma, the executive director of the National College Players Association, called the affiliation agreement a "literal smoking gun in liability" for public schools.

"The law prevents an athletic association from adopting and enforcing rules that violate state law and prohibits any association from 'interfering' with a school's membership status, voting rights, and revenue distribution," Dellenger explained.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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