Breaking: Ricky Gibson to the portal

[OrangeBeachVol]

It's never immoral. It's on the person who keeps giving in to his demands that's at fault not the one who is practicing his rights as allowed by the law.

Agree, and most private companies would never give in to a demand such as this nor would would an employee even try this tactic because it most probably would get them fired.

My understanding of NIL is the agreement is between the player and the company(s) named in the NIL deal. The university is not a part of it at all, which is what gets NIL around the NCAA rules. So basically an NIL player agreement is wide open to the best deal you can get at any time. Wild wild west right now.

 

[TAF]

 

[Vol865]

I didn’t call him an hourly employee. He’s on salary and paid by the month. Not by the job.

You’re taking a way too literal approach to this. The point is he agreed to a price but wanted to renegotiate, not based on his own performance, but because of an injury to a teammate.

 

[Delmar]

Who helped rip the rules the NCAA had on NIL to shreds to allow this kind of mess?

While Gibson's move is a d*ck move, UT's repeated joining of lawsuits to shred NIL enforcement of any kind and TN's joining of the lawsuit to allow wholesale transfers are also d*ck moves for college athletics.

Sorry but you keep saying that UT was the cause like they were the only one that recognized there was a problem with the NCAA stance. UT was involved in that first lawsuit (and there was a reason for that because of Nico) but I have a feeling that it was just a matter of time before some other school (or schools) did the exact same thing. The NCAA position was never going to hold and it was just a matter of time before it got challenged. They just tried to pick on Nico and UT had no choice but to respond.

 

[Vol8188]

You’re taking a way too literal approach to this. The point is he agreed to a price but wanted to renegotiate, not based on his own performance, but because of an injury to a teammate.

Not seeing the problem. I have a salary. If I get a better offer tomorrow (it would have to be significantly better), I’d renegotiate with my employer.

How’s that bad?

 

[volfeeva]

Every time a team is down at a position....there will be a negotiation. It's really getting ridiculous. He knows he has them by the cajones.

It's why so many coaches are getting out because this has no end. I can't imagine having to plan and prep for games when you can't rely on the players who just agreed to come play. Call me what names you want, but this ruins the game and gets worse every season

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Sorry but you keep saying that UT was the cause like they were the only one that recognized there was a problem with the NCAA stance. UT was involved in that first lawsuit (and there was a reason for that because of Nico) but I have a feeling that it was just a matter of time before some other school (or schools) did the exact same thing. The NCAA position was never going to hold and it was just a matter of time before it got challenged. They just tried to pick on Nico and UT had no choice but to respond.

In that lawsuit and the letter everyone swooned over from Donde Plowman, UT stated very strongly that the NCAA had zero ability to govern NIL. It went well beyond the Nico case and essentially said the NCAA couldn't regulate NIL at all. Almost immediately after settling with TN, the NCAA shut down the NIL enforcement office entirely. ENTIRELY.

Via the State of TN, UT's interest was clear, in the WV multiple transfers case. TN joined and now we have multiple, no penalty transfers. The control over transfers was entirely gone. ENTIRELY.

UT has been involved in completely gutting the NCAA in every case and now a UT athlete takes advantage of the lack of NCAA regulation and Wild West atmosphere and free for all nature created in college athletics.

I can only assume UT is getting what they wanted and the Gibson situation is just the cost of doing business. Overall, this chaos has been very good to UT Athletics and we're very successful currently.

 

[Raiford62]

My take in this NIL craziness is that UT either negotiates again or they don't. Let us just see what game they decide to play in this topsy turvy college sports.

 

[Vol8188]

It's why so many coaches are getting out because this has no end. I can't imagine having to plan and prep for games when you can't rely on the players who just agreed to come play. Call me what names you want, but this ruins the game and gets worse every season

You’ve lost me on your last line. You jumped from A to C.

I agree I don’t like the things you mentioned. But ruins the game? How?

Yes, players move. Yes, it’s a headache for coaches. But has the actual product on the field changed? It’s not

 

[Delmar]

In that lawsuit and the letter everyone swooned over from Donde Plowman, UT stated very strongly that the NCAA had zero ability to govern NIL. It went well beyond the Nico case and essentially said the NCAA couldn't regulate NIL at all. Almost immediately after settling with TN, the NCAA shut down the NIL enforcement office entirely. ENTIRELY.

Via the State of TN, UT's interest was clear, in the WV multiple transfers case. TN joined and now we have multiple, no penalty transfers. The control over transfers was entirely gone. ENTIRELY.

UT has been involved in completely gutting the NCAA in every case and now a UT athlete takes advantage of the lack of NCAA regulation and Wild West atmosphere and free for all nature created in college athletics.

I can only assume UT is getting what they wanted and the Gibson situation is just the cost of doing business. Overall, this chaos has been very good to UT Athletics and we're very successful currently.

I agree UT is doing OK with it right now. But I think we are still very early in the process. Unless some semblance of control is brought in, it’s only going to get worse. Now what that “control” would be, I don’t know. The Wild West can only last for so long.

My main point is that if it hadn’t been UT up front, it would have happened with another school(s). The NCAA’s position was untenable and it was just a matter of time before it was challenged and there was nothing anybody was going to do about it. The “new world” is not all on UT and I don’t think it’s fair to just blame us.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

You’ve lost me on your last line. You jumped from A to C.

I agree I don’t like the things you mentioned. But ruins the game? How?

Yes, players move. Yes, it’s a headache for coaches. But has the actual product on the field changed? It’s not

It's bad for the traditions those of us who are older have seen destroyed. You used to have recruits come in and because transferring was difficult, they were guys and gals you knew would be here for awhile. You got to know them, see them mature, and (in the very old days) see them stay for 4 years before hitting the pros.

Now, roster turnover is now chaotic and you can't know who will or won't stay over money. That wasn't possible before.

There's also a ton of poorly placed resentment over money being out in the open now and more of it flowing to players. Many old heads chose to ignore that all SEC teams paid players because we couldn't see it, it was an NCAA violation so it was under the table. Now that it's out in the open, lots of old guys resent these young guys making money openly AND the amount of money exchanging hands because there's an open market now.

The game feels more mercenary in football and basketball, especially, and it is.

If you're young, just trust me, it used to be kind of a good ol boy club where the schools had all the power over the players, coaches were all as hard ass as Saban, and the players were almost always locked in to the school they chose as freshmen. College ball was blood, sweat, and tears for YOUR SCHOOL. It isn't anymore and people miss it.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

I agree UT is doing OK with it right now. But I think we are still very early in the process. Unless some semblance of control is brought in, it’s only going to get worse. Now what that “control” would be, I don’t know. The Wild West can only last for so long.

My main point is that if it hadn’t been UT up front, it would have happened with another school(s). The NCAA’s position was untenable and it was just a matter of time before it was challenged and there was nothing anybody was going to do about it. The “new world” is not all on UT and I don’t think it’s fair to just blame us.

Yes, but it WAS UT and now people want to go after a kid who has looked around...... much like UT did with Nico...... and said how can I make this new way of doing things work for me.

UT went hard for Nico and did whatever it took whether the NCAA liked it or not. Michigan did the same with Bryce Underwood using a money move to make it work. It's clear that schools will pull d*ck moves to get someone to sign.

Rickey Gibson is pulling a d*ck move for Rickey Gibson. I can't support UT doing whatever the heck it takes for UT to be successful then go after Rickey Gibson for doing whatever the heck it takes for Rickey Gibson to be successful.

Others can, and that's fine, but I know where Rickey Gibson learned to be ruthless in the use of NIL....... and I'll bet you do too.

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

Great. Can't wait to see him ball out this year and prove the pay raise was actually a steal for us. I'm feeling an All-American season is coming.

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

Agree, and most private companies would never give in to a demand such as this nor would would an employee even try this tactic because it most probably would get them fired.

My understanding of NIL is the agreement is between the player and the company(s) named in the NIL deal. The university is not a part of it at all, which is what gets NIL around the NCAA rules. So basically an NIL player agreement is wide open to the best deal you can get at any time. Wild wild west right now.

Most employees don't have Gibson's leverage. If they did the company would give in to the demands as well. Business is all about leverage. He who has it controls the game. High level athletes now have all the leverage in college football that's why they're getting their way. A bit poetic justice cause for so long they had the least leverage.

 

[LAVol1]

Not seeing the problem. I have a salary. If I get a better offer tomorrow (it would have to be significantly better), I’d renegotiate with my employer.

How’s that bad?

Do you have a contract with your employer? No? Did you agree to a certain salary and in return, pledge to work for a specific period of time? No? Then you are not a contract employee and are employed at will. You can walk any time and your employer can fire you any time. Gibson agreed to a sum of money to play football for the Vols (implied, not stipulated, and fully understood by Gibson) for the 2025 season at least. That constitutes a contract. When circumstances (which he had nothing to do with) changed which made him more valuable, Gibson tried to renegotiate his agreement. No fault for asking to renegotiate, but he made an agreement and he should honor that agreement. If the NCAA were not in the way, this case would prevail in court. One more point: if Gibson got injured in spring practice and was unable to play in '25, should the collective (Spire) withhold payments? If he can walk whenever he wants, why can't they?

 

[RockyTop140]

Not seeing the problem. I have a salary. If I get a better offer tomorrow (it would have to be significantly better), I’d renegotiate with my employer.

How’s that bad?

You’re assuming Gibson received a better offer.

Let’s say at work a top guy in another department got sick and had to quit. This is a big loss for the company, but it doesn’t directly affect your job. You still have the same tasks. You then decide to use this loss to your advantage by asking for more money. This is clearly a scumbag move. You’re not being asked to do any more work, you’re simply leveraging the fact the company already has had a big loss and hoping they pay you more due to that fact.

 

[Vol8188]

You’re assuming Gibson received a better offer.

Let’s say at work a top guy in another department got sick and had to quit. This is a big loss for the company, but it doesn’t directly affect your job. You still have the same tasks. You then decide to use this loss to your advantage by asking for more money. This is clearly a scumbag move. You’re not being asked to do any more work, you’re simply leveraging the fact the company already has had a big loss and hoping they pay you more due to that fact.

Yes, I’m assuming because that’s how the portal works. The majority of these guys are getting offers well before entering. Gibson is no different

 

[Swiftybaby]

And just like that all was well again

 

[Jaxon_Vol2017]

In that lawsuit and the letter everyone swooned over from Donde Plowman, UT stated very strongly that the NCAA had zero ability to govern NIL. It went well beyond the Nico case and essentially said the NCAA couldn't regulate NIL at all. Almost immediately after settling with TN, the NCAA shut down the NIL enforcement office entirely. ENTIRELY.

Via the State of TN, UT's interest was clear, in the WV multiple transfers case. TN joined and now we have multiple, no penalty transfers. The control over transfers was entirely gone. ENTIRELY.

UT has been involved in completely gutting the NCAA in every case and now a UT athlete takes advantage of the lack of NCAA regulation and Wild West atmosphere and free for all nature created in college athletics.

I can only assume UT is getting what they wanted and the Gibson situation is just the cost of doing business. Overall, this chaos has been very good to UT Athletics and we're very successful currently.

I'm really doubting you are a Tennessee fan. Either that or you're just miserable about everything and want to degrade the team you're a "fan" of.

 

[Vol8188]

It's never immoral. It's on the person who keeps giving in to his demands that's at fault not the one who is practicing his rights as allowed by the law.

Your argument that something is moral should never be based on what is “allowed by the law”.

His act was not immoral. But the legality of the act is separate issue.

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

Your argument that something is moral should never be based on what is “allowed by the law”.

His act was not immoral. But the legality of the act is separate issue.

Fair enough.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Your argument that something is moral should never be based on what is “allowed by the law”.

His act was not immoral. But the legality of the act is separate issue.

This is a fact that is often lost on many. Just because something is legal, that doesn’t make it moral. Slavery was legal in this country. So was Jim Crow. Apartheid was legal in South Africa.

Let’s not conflate legality with morality. Great point.

 

[1world1love]

In that lawsuit and the letter everyone swooned over from Donde Plowman, UT stated very strongly that the NCAA had zero ability to govern NIL. It went well beyond the Nico case and essentially said the NCAA couldn't regulate NIL at all. Almost immediately after settling with TN, the NCAA shut down the NIL enforcement office entirely. ENTIRELY.

Via the State of TN, UT's interest was clear, in the WV multiple transfers case. TN joined and now we have multiple, no penalty transfers. The control over transfers was entirely gone. ENTIRELY.

UT has been involved in completely gutting the NCAA in every case and now a UT athlete takes advantage of the lack of NCAA regulation and Wild West atmosphere and free for all nature created in college athletics.

I can only assume UT is getting what they wanted and the Gibson situation is just the cost of doing business. Overall, this chaos has been very good to UT Athletics and we're very successful currently.

UT supported/joined these lawsuits against the NCAA only because, even after getting b**ch slapped by SCOTUS, the NCAA pursued a public campaign against UT specifically. They planted a high-profile story and intended to make an example of UT. Dr. Plowman and the regents had very little choice but to take them to the woodshed.

Having said that, I do think that the UT admin read the tea leaves and knew that they had to get in front of the mayhem, if only from a PR perspective. Once NIL became a thing, it was clear that limiting transfers also became unconstitutional. UT knew it, the NCAA knew it, and most first year law students could have successfully made the argument in front of any court in the US and won.

You can't arbitrarily limit somebody's earning potential by imposing limits on where they can study and "train" for their chosen profession. As long as market forces can freely dictate what an "advertiser" is willing to pay for a "spokesperson's" NIL, then no entity can interfere with those market forces. If the market in Columbus supports a better earning opportunity for Ricky Gibson than the market in Knoxville, then forcing Ricky Gibson to stay enrolled at UT is a non-starter. The transfer rules never applied to other students and were only created to benefit the schools and the NCAA.

You are 100% correct that UT knew this was the end game and has been openly and actively participating in it. We are most certainly going to lose some good players on occasion.

But folks should consider that the only reason that Ricky Gibson had leverage was because McCoy, who transferred here for better financial opportunities, got hurt. And....if we lost Ricky Gibson to the portal, you can be certain that there is another Jerod McCoy somewhere that would gladly take the terms of Ricky Gibson's original deal to come play at UT. No tampering would be necessary.

 

[VOLLeeann]

Now, roster turnover is now chaotic and you can't know who will or won't stay over mone

Rent-A-Player.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

I'm really doubting you are a Tennessee fan. Either that or you're just miserable about everything and want to degrade the team you're a "fan" of.

For telling the truth? The truth just is there about what the admins have done AND done very well.

It's working. None of us like it but I'm a fan of winning, like you are, and the NIL and transfer lawsuits have made it easier for us to win.