University of Tennessee athletics is under NCAA investigation for alleged NIL related violations, reported on Tuesday by Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde. ESPN’s Pete Thamel confirmed the report.

Sports Illustrated’s reporting was limited on the infractions but noted that the investigation involves Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) violations across multiple sports. Tennessee athletics confirmed to Forde that the investigation exists, but the university did not provide a statement. It did clarify that it has not received a notice of allegations from NCAA Enforcement.

The NCAA did not provide comment to Sports Illustrated on the investigation. The NCAA has attempted to reign in NIL, negotiating with Florida State for a settlement and initiating an investigation into Florida’s recruitment of quarterback Jaden Rashada.

Tennessee football just recently wrapped up an NCAA investigation involving recruiting violations under former head coach Jeremy Pruitt. The worst of Pruitt’s violations included paying $60,000 to recruits and players as well as hosting unofficial visitors on campus during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“I’m really proud of the way we’ve handled it as a university,” athletics director Danny White told The Daily Beacon about the previous NCAA investigation. “I’ve said this in previous interviews, but I think we’ve shown that there’s a way you can hold yourself accountable as an institution under this NCAA model and operate with integrity and work through a system.

“You don’t have to fight and try to avoid accountability. (Donde Plowman) kind of made that decision before I ever came here. I wasn’t upset or anything as I learned more about the case. It’s my job to come in here and figure it out. We learned together that there’s more there than probably anybody realized.”

Tennessee did avoid a postseason ban in the sanctions, but the university was forced to pay a fine and enact certain recruiting restrictions. All in all, the NCAA handed down a ruling on 18 Level 1 violations in July for Pruitt’s violations from 2018-21. 

This story will be updated.