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The Tennessee men's basketball team has made history by becoming the first college sports program in the United States to propose a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) term sheet. The team collaborated with Athletes.org, a college sports players association, to develop this groundbreaking document. The term sheet was released after extensive negotiations with the university's athletic department.
The proposed agreement includes a salary cap and floor, eligibility and transfer rules, and health and wellness provisions. According to Sports Business Journal, three players—graduate student Tyler Lundblade, junior Campbell Duncan, and freshman DeWayne Brown II—served as player representatives during the negotiations. They worked closely with Tennessee's Athletic Director Danny White and other university officials.
White, who has been a vocal advocate for collective bargaining in college sports, sees this agreement as a significant step forward. "I probably have a disease where I hate unsolved problems, and I can’t ignore them," White told Sports Business Journal. He emphasized the need for a structured system, especially after the Alston case decision opened the floodgates of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) without a plan.
The term sheet, available on the Athletes.org website, outlines various aspects such as player compensation, transfer windows, and health insurance benefits. It also proposes a "Universal Athletic Service Agreement" to replace revenue-sharing and university-affiliated contracts, ensuring players are paid for their athletic services.
While the agreement is not yet ratified, it serves as a model for how a CBA could function in college sports. Yahoo Sports reports that the proposal includes a 15-day transfer window and enforceable anti-tampering rules. It also calls for guaranteed compensation for athletes on injured reserve and additional health coverage after eligibility ends.
Athletes.org Executive Director Brandon Copeland stated, "This CBA term sheet shows that with athletes at the table, everyone in college sports can win." The organization hopes this model will inspire similar agreements across other college sports programs.