Judge gives NCAA more time to respond in tussle with Tennessee and Virginia over NIL

As if often the case in complicated federal lawsuits, attorneys for the NCAA requested and were granted more time to respond to the lawsuit filed by the states of Tennessee and Virginia regarding the regulation of rules regarding name, image and likeness.

Originally, the NCAA had until April 1 to respond to the states’ original complaint, but the extension – which was granted March 26 – moves that date back to May 1. All parties agreed to the extension. The lawsuit was filed Jan. 31.

In February East Tennessee District Judge Clifton Corker issued a preliminary injunction, suspending NIL rules regarding benefits for athletes until the court case is complete. Corker found NIL rules caused irreparable damage to athletes. The ruling covers the entire country, preventing the NCAA from enforcing its NIL rules against any school and giving student-athletes latitude on signing deals without the threat of sanctions.

Corker’s ruling came as the University of Tennessee was facing an investigation by the NCAA into allegations that UT broke NIL rules in multiple sports, including football, Knox News has learned. But the university has not received a Notice of Allegations.

Tyler Whetstone is an investigative reporter focused on accountability journalism. Connect with Tyler by emailing him at tyler.whetstone@knoxnews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tyler_whetstone.

Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.