Tennessee Athletic Director Danny White boldly declares that collective bargaining with student-athletes is “the only solution” to the chaotic state of college sports, signaling a dramatic shift away from the NCAA’s century-old amateur model.
Key Takeaways
- Tennessee AD Danny White publicly advocates for collective bargaining with athletes as the sole viable solution to current college sports issues
- White’s stance directly challenges the NCAA’s traditional model that treats athletes as students rather than employees
- A pending $2.8 billion NCAA antitrust settlement could soon allow schools to share significant revenue with athletes
- Tennessee has positioned itself at the forefront of NIL rights advocacy in the evolving collegiate sports landscape
- Labor experts support the collective bargaining approach but acknowledge challenges from varying state labor laws
The End of Amateurism in College Sports
Tennessee Athletic Director Danny White has taken a decisive stance on the future of college athletics, publicly declaring that collective bargaining with student-athletes is the only viable path forward. White’s comments, made during an interview alongside University of Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman, represent a remarkable departure from the NCAA’s longstanding amateur model. With name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals already funneling substantial sums to athletes, and a major antitrust settlement looming, White’s position acknowledges the reality that college sports has already begun shifting toward a professional structure.
“Tennessee athletic director Danny White said the only solution to the real problem in college sports right now is collective bargaining with athletes” said Danny White, Tennessee Athletic Director
White’s straightforward assessment comes as college athletics faces unprecedented change. The traditional NCAA model, which has insisted on viewing athletes as students first rather than employees, appears increasingly unsustainable as NIL compensation creates a de facto professional environment. Tennessee has strategically positioned itself at the forefront of these changes, with both White and Plowman taking active roles in advocating for a more structured approach to athlete compensation that preserves the university’s interests while adapting to new realities.
The $2.8 Billion Settlement Looming Over College Sports
A federal court decision on a massive $2.8 billion NCAA antitrust settlement hangs in the balance, potentially transforming the collegiate athletic landscape. The settlement, if approved, would enable universities to share substantial revenue directly with athletes—a practice previously forbidden under NCAA rules. However, White points out that the settlement does not currently include provisions for collective bargaining, which he believes is essential for creating a stable, sustainable framework for the future of college sports. The absence of a collective bargaining mechanism could lead to continued legal challenges and uncertainty.
“It’s a real issue, I’ll say it. We got a camera on us. I don’t really care at this point. Collective bargaining is the only issue. It’s the only solution,” said Danny White, Tennessee Athletic Director
Chancellor Plowman, who has played a key role in legal battles over NIL rights, expressed strong agreement with White’s assessment. “It’s the only way we’re going to get there. I agree with you,” Plowman stated during the interview. Their unified position reflects Tennessee’s proactive approach to navigating the rapidly evolving college sports environment, seeking to establish a framework that balances athlete compensation with institutional stability before external forces impose less favorable solutions.
Challenges to Implementing Collective Bargaining
Michael LeRoy, a respected labor and employment professor, has voiced support for White’s position, noting that collective bargaining could stabilize labor relations and significantly reduce the flood of lawsuits currently plaguing collegiate athletics. However, implementing such a system faces substantial hurdles, particularly in southern states like Tennessee with “right to work” laws that complicate unionization efforts. The patchwork of varying state labor laws across the country presents a major obstacle to establishing a nationwide collective bargaining framework for college athletes.
“It’s the only way we’re going to get there. I agree with you,” said Donde Plowman, University of Tennessee Chancellor
White has emphasized the need for a comprehensive national agenda to address these complex issues effectively. The current trajectory of college sports, with its inconsistent approaches to athlete compensation and employment status, creates competitive imbalances and legal vulnerabilities. Collective bargaining offers a structured approach that could bring stability to an increasingly chaotic landscape, allowing universities to maintain some control over their athletic programs while acknowledging the professional nature of modern college sports and the legitimate financial interests of student-athletes.
