Ronald Evans’ statement implying that SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey need to think about expulsion of the Volunteers from the SEC has infuriated Tennessee fans. The Tennessee State Legislature’s decision, which essentially rendered the university ungoverned in the NIL space, prompted the post.
The NCAA and the other SEC member schools are immediately spit in the face by the new law. For NIL, guardrails are on the way. By ignoring it, Tennessee is effectively stating that it will not be subject to the regulations.
What would happen if you didn’t obey the rules at work? If you’re a Tennessee fan and don’t know the answer right away, go to the Knoxville Sanitation Department and ask your union representative.
Tennessee has been trying to act as though they are not subject to the same laws as the rest of the country for years. The Vols legend Phil Fulmer can claim he had no direct knowledge of the pay-for-play scam that tainted the Jeremy Pruitt era in Knoxville, but everyone is aware of its glaringly evident nature.
However, Tennessee has only lately started to get its retribution. The Pruitt saga gave them a black eye. This offseason, they also lost their standout quarterback, Nico Iamaleava. The quarterback, who only came to Tennessee because of the outrageous amount of money they agreed to give him, stunned fans and program officials by requesting a raise.
It is unlikely that Tennessee will be kicked out of the SEC. After all, they are a founding member. However, flagrantly breaking the rules shouldn’t go unpunished. The SEC’s management team should speak up to pressure Greg Sankey and the SEC to guarantee Vols compliance or face expulsion.
Fulmer desired Alabama to cease operations. Greg Byrne might provide 20 years of payback.
In the state of Alabama, Phil Fulmer is considered persona non grata. He represents all that Crimson Tide supporters despise about Tennessee. It was a well-earned symbol.
Before Nick Saban’s incredible tenure in Tuscaloosa more than two decades ago, Fulmer told the NCAA that Alabama had paid Albert Means to play football for the Crimson Tide. The goal of Fulmer was to force Alabama out of business. He nearly had what he wanted.
Tennessee has always been despised by Alabama supporters. Fulmer’s actions at the time increased the heat to a blazing passion. That’s what added to the satisfaction of Alabama’s 15-game winning streak over Tennessee. the’s why the streak might not have lasted long enough even if it had continued for another 50 years.
But merely defeating them on the football pitch on a regular basis is insufficient. At Alabama, Fulmer and the Vols attempted to shut down the program. If the Vols dare to rebel against the impending guardrails, Tide AD Greg Byrne ought to repay the favour by pressuring Sankey to eject them.
What exactly would the SEC be lacking, anyway? Yes, the baseball program at the Vols is excellent. No one is interested. Basketball and football, the two major revenue-generating sports, would not be interrupted. It has been 27 years since the Vols have won a football national championship. It is now too old for the streak to be covered by its parents’ health insurance.
