Tennessee, Virginia Tech have plans in place to help athletes cash in on new NCAA rule

Two universities that have been on a national athletic stage for decades already have plans in place to help students capitalize on the new NCAA policy approved this week.

That change will allow athletes to be paid for the use of their name, image, and likeness—opening up a treasure trove of endorsement deals at both Tennessee and Virginia Tech.

Officials in Knoxville have partnered with the Altius Sports agency that will allow UT athletes to meet with their counselors to make business plans and consider contracts with businesses.

Welcome to the NIL era.

We've been ready.#GBO pic.twitter.com/9MdywYt4gO

— Tennessee Athletics (@Vol_Sports) July 1, 2021

Virginia Tech has launched a program called JumpStart that will advise team members in Blacksburg with a variety of programs from marketing data to using social media to obtain more sponsor dollars.

⚡️ 𝗝𝘂𝗺𝗽𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 ⚡️

The NIL era has arrived in Blacksburg, and we're ready.

Details: https://t.co/n2xk6y9fz1 pic.twitter.com/h5wWkBavso

— HokieSports (@hokiesports) July 1, 2021

(IMAGE: C. Jones / University of Tennessee Athletics)