There is no speculation and rumor over who controls the money going into the AD, this was openly voted on when it was changed. Again what stops Tennessee from hiring another chancellor like Cheek?
The only thing I recall is that they changed the structure where the AD/Vice Chancellor reports to the Chancellor as opposed to being on a similar level. That doesn’t mean she runs the athletic department. Again, she has her pulse on it and sets a vision, but she doesn’t run it.
The CFO at a company controls its finances and reports to a CEO. The CEO has an agreed upon vision with his officers, but he doesn’t control the finances. Same structure. Great leaders let their employees do their jobs.
Danny White will get bonuses and bigger salaries if he succeeds and will get fired if he doesn’t.