UT Chancellor Plowman Standing by Letter to NCAA Pres, Backing Student Athletes Amid NIL Allegations

UT Chancellor Donde Plowman meets with media outlets Wednesday, speaking on the NCAA’s recent investigation into the university’s Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) practices. (Courtesy: WVLT)

UT Chancellor Plowman Standing by Letter to NCAA Pres, Backing Student Athletes Amid NIL Allegations

UT Chancellor Donde Plowman meets with media outlets Wednesday, speaking on the NCAA’s recent investigation into the university’s Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) practices. (Courtesy: WVLT)

Knoxville, TN (WOKI) UT’s Chancellor took some time in front of the cameras Wednesday, publicly standing behind her heated letter to the NCAA’s president over its investigation into the university’s Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) practices, calling the decision an attack on student athletes.

“When you’re leading a university and someone attacks you and makes an allegation that isn’t true, I will always respond,” said UT Chancellor Donde Plowman referencing a letter she sent to NCAA President Charlie Baker. “The most significant thing about that is, I will always stand up for our student athletes, and that’s where the attack was really on if you want to be honest about it.”

Plowman’s statements come after Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced the State of Tennessee and the Commonwealth of Virginia had filed a joint lawsuit against the NCAA, accusing it of breaking anti-trust laws. Plowman said she didn’t know much about the suit, but appreciated the support.

“The people who responded, it’s moving, and I appreciate it,” said Plowman. “But we have great people who are in public office in the state, in Washington, and I couldn’t be more grateful for their support.”

The NCAA has indicated they plan to bring allegations forward; however, those allegations still have not been formally issued, and details on them remain scarce.