Tennessee men’s basketball and Athletes.org have drafted a proposed collective bargaining agreement, giving college sports a detailed proof of concept for negotiating athlete pay, transfer rules and protections. The term sheet was developed with elected player representatives, but it has not been signed or ratified and is not expected to take effect immediately.

By the Numbers
  • 3 Tennessee players represented the team in negotiations.
  • The proposed transfer window would last 15 days and open at least 1 week after the national championship.
  • Repeat cap violations could cost a school up to 100% of its conference payout.
Yes, But

A single team’s draft does not resolve the major obstacles to college-wide bargaining, including who would make up the bargaining unit and how different schools could operate under consistent rules. The proposal could also put Tennessee at a recruiting disadvantage if it adopted the terms before other programs. The federal Protect College Sports Act, meanwhile, does not settle whether athletes should be classified as employees.

State of Play
  • The proposal would replace revenue sharing and third-party NIL deals with one direct-pay contract, a salary cap and spending floor, and guaranteed minimum compensation.
  • It also outlines anti-tampering rules, a five-year eligibility clock, independent arbitration, and protections for injured players’ pay, scholarships and medical coverage.
  • A similar agreement is being developed for Tennessee football.
What’s Next

Tennessee’s draft is a starting point, not an immediate change to how the team operates. Whether the model spreads will depend on broader negotiations among athletes, schools and governing bodies—and on whether lawmakers or the industry establish a workable framework.

Bottom Line

Tennessee has turned collective bargaining from an abstract debate into a detailed proposal. It doesn’t solve college sports’ labor questions, but it shows that athletes and administrators can begin working through them together.