Tennessee Basketball Players Negotiate Pay Terms in Pilot Program

The University of Tennessee men's basketball team has signed a non-binding agreement that sets specific terms for player pay and benefits. The deal was reached on Tuesday through negotiations between the school and elected player representatives. It serves as a test case for how collective bargaining might work within the current NCAA rules.

Athletes.org, a group founded in 2023 to support student-athletes, partnered with the Vols to draft the document. The organization created this voluntary framework as federal legislation to change college sports rules faces delays in Congress.

Danny White, the athletic director at Tennessee, supports using professional-style labor models in college. He stated that listening to players is a strength. White described collective bargaining as a proven model in professional sports that can create a stable future for the industry.

The term sheet focuses on five areas: compensation, player movement, health, enforcement, and academics. It guarantees a minimum salary for every player on the roster. The agreement also requires the school to pay players if they get injured. Health insurance coverage will continue for several years after a player finishes their eligibility.

The pay structure goes beyond name, image, and likeness deals. It includes direct payment for playing that starts when the season begins. Players who win and those who stay for at least two years will receive bonuses. The school and Athletes.org did not release specific dollar amounts for individual players.

The deal also changes how transfers work. It suggests a 15-day transfer portal window that opens at least one week after the NCAA championship game. A neutral arbitrator will handle any disputes between the team and the players. This is a standard requirement in formal labor contracts.

Three players represented the team in these talks: graduate student Tyler Lundblade, junior Campbell Duncan, and sophomore DeWayne Brown II. Brown said the process confirmed that players know what they need. He hopes other schools will follow this example. Athletes.org is also running a similar negotiation with the Tennessee football team.

The Protect College Sports Act passed the Senate in October. It is expected to stall in the House after the November midterms. If that bill fails, schools like Tennessee may use their own bargaining models to set player rights and pay.