Tennessee and Virginia did not get their requested temporary restraining against the NCAA regarding NIL rules, but the judge’s statement was far from bad news for the states.

U.S. District Judge Clifton Corker did not agree with the states that there would be “irreparable harm” if a TRO was not granted against the NCAA’s rules prohibiting NIL compensation from being used as a recruiting inducement. The judge, however, also stated, “Considering the evidence before the Court, Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of their case under the Sherman Antirust Act.”

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti said that the judge’s acknowledgment that the NCAA can be held monetarily liable for any harm negated the need for a TRO.

“Tennessee remains committed to protecting the rights of our student-athletes. We look forward to litigating this case and enforcing the law,” Skrmetti said in a released statement.

The NCAA also reacted to the decision, commenting on NIL from a big-picture perspective in a released statement.

“The NCAA fully supports student-athletes profiting from their NIL rights, and the Association looks forward to discussing how member schools and conferences overwhelmingly support the current rules that prohibit tampering with student-athletes and unchecked recruiting contacts. There is ample opportunity for NCAA members to pursue rule changes through the policy-making process in which all 1,100 schools voluntarily participate.”

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