After the legal dispute between the University of Tennessee and the NCAA over alleged NIL violations by the Vols, many speculated that this would mean the end of the NCAA as we know it.

U.S. District Judge Clifton Coker Judgment in favor of UTeffectively stating that any attempt by the NCAA to enforce NIL rules would violate antitrust laws and could limit athletes' earning potential.

Alabama Athletics Director Greg Byrne spoke out after the ruling, saying that whether we like it or not, NIL is part of the recruiting process for athletes.

Mr Byrne told the Birmingham Tip Off Club: “We are all trying to make sure we support the young people in our programme.” “While we make sure we follow the rules and processes, we don't necessarily know exactly where all the rules are. NIL is part of recruiting.

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“Whether you want it to be part of your recruiting process or not, new hires ask the people around them. That's why it's part of your recruiting process. You have to be able to keep it at arm's length from there. Hmm. But if someone asks about it every day during recruitment time, that's part of it.”

Since Nick Saban's retirement, Byrne has been at the forefront of embracing NIL and encouraging donations. Alabama NIL Collective.

Byrne himself probably doesn't like that this has become his job, but he certainly seems to accept the fact that NIL is a part of college sports and isn't going away anytime soon.

This week's court ruling in Tennessee's favor will only continue to make the sport a pay-per-play system with no guardrails.

Michael Brauner is a senior sports analyst and contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP