After the University of Tennessee and the NCAA found themselves in a legal dispute as a result of alleged NIL violations on UT's part, many speculated the end of the sordid 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.”

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“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.”

“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.

A court ruling this week in Tennessee's favor simply continues to make the sport a pay-per-play system, but now there are no guardrails.

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