"Doomsday scenario" - Month after Nico Iamaleava's exit, Tennessee handed fresh setback threatening SEC future

The Tennessee Volunteers could soon be forced out of the SEC due to NIL and salary cap rules.

The state of Tennessee passed a law that means the Volunteers don't have to follow any NIL rules in the NCAA. It was an intriguing lawsuit, but due to the unfair advantage that comes with it, college football insider Ross Dellenger claimed that it could lead to the SEC commissioner kicking Tennessee out of the SEC.

On Monday, "That SEC Football Podcast" confirmed that it is a consideration.

"Tennessee has passed this law where they don't have to do NIL laws, they can do whatever the hell they want," Michael Bratton said (Timestamp: 13:44). "You better believe that the rest of the states are going to do that if they are allowed to get away with it.

"So, according to Ross Dellinger, regardless of what state laws Tennessee or anybody passed, if this house settlement becomes official, and we have the salary cap and NIL deals have to be legitimate, we just can't be giving people millions of dollars to post on Instagram. You have to abide by the rules or they can kick you out of the league."

If the SEC kicks Tennessee out of the conference, it would be a stunning move and would be arguably the biggest story in college football in years.

However, until the House passes the NIL rules for college sports, all of this is just rumors, but it is something to monitor going forward.

Tennessee parted ways with Nico Iamaleava due to NIL

The Tennessee Volunteers were at the center of an NIL dispute this offseason.

Starting quarterback Nico Iamlaeava wanted more NIL money and held out of spring practice. After he held out, Tennessee coach Josh Heupel announced the Volunteers would be moving on from him as he claimed no one is bigger than the program.

“I want to thank him for everything he’s done since he’s gotten here, as a recruit and who he was as a player and how he competed inside the building,” Heupel said. “Obviously, we’re moving forward as a program without him. I said it to the guys today. There’s no one that’s bigger than the Power T. That includes me.”

It was a bold stance from Heupel and Tennessee as it was the first real holdout in college football for more money.