BIRMINGHAM — In a rare moment of cooperation between two of the SEC’s most storied rivals, the University of Alabama and the University of Tennessee announced today that they have jointly adopted a shared Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Code of Conduct, signaling a coordinated effort to bring structure and restraint to an increasingly volatile recruiting environment.
Dubbed informally by administrators as a “peace treaty,” the agreement establishes common standards for NIL-related interactions involving recruits, transfers, collectives, and third-party representatives. While the rivalry between Alabama and Tennessee remains firmly intact on the field, both schools say the off-field pact is designed to protect athletes and preserve competitive integrity.
“This is about responsibility, not rivalry,” Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne said in a joint statement with Tennessee AD Danny White. “The current NIL landscape has created confusion and risk for student-athletes. By aligning on clear principles, we’re sending a message that winning and integrity do not have to be mutually exclusive.”
Under the agreement, both programs have committed to a series of shared guidelines, including prohibitions on NIL inducements prior to enrollment, standardized disclosure requirements for NIL deals, limits on booster involvement in direct recruiting conversations, and enhanced education for athletes regarding contracts and financial obligations. While the code does not carry NCAA enforcement authority, both schools have agreed to internal compliance reviews and information sharing when potential violations arise.
Tennessee athletic director Danny White emphasized the athlete-centered focus of the agreement. “NIL is here to stay, and that’s a good thing,” White said. “But without boundaries, it can become predatory. This code is about transparency, education, and protecting young people who are navigating complex financial decisions for the first time.”
The agreement was the result of months of quiet discussions between the two athletic departments, prompted by growing concerns about the influence of unregulated collectives and the escalating use of NIL promises in recruiting battles across the SEC. According to sources familiar with the talks, both schools recognized that unchecked escalation ultimately harms roster stability, locker-room culture, and public trust.
Coaches from both programs privately expressed relief at the move, noting that NIL uncertainty has increasingly complicated roster management. One SEC assistant coach described the agreement as “a first step toward sanity,” adding that players benefit most when expectations are clearly defined.
Several SEC schools acknowledged they are closely monitoring the agreement, with some considering whether a broader, conference-wide framework could emerge. While skeptics question whether a two-school pact can meaningfully curb NIL excesses, proponents argue that leadership must start somewhere.
“This won’t solve everything overnight,” Byrne acknowledged. “But if major programs don’t take responsibility, no one else will.”
Alabama and Tennessee share one of college football’s most emotional rivalries, defined by decades of unforgettable moments. Yet in an era where NIL has reshaped the sport’s foundation, the two programs have found common ground.
The rivalry will still roar on Saturdays in the fall. But away from the stadium lights, Alabama and Tennessee are betting that cooperation not chaos offers the best path forward for college athletics’ future.
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