Tennessee to add 10 percent talent fee to ticket prices.
Tennessee announced an increase in ticket prices for the 2025 season via a talent fee surcharge. The talent fee will result in a 10% increase in cost of all season tickets, single-game tickets and donations.
Vol fans can renew season tickets beginning Thursday. The deadline to renew season tickets is Feb. 27, 2025. Tennessee is offering season ticket holders a 10-month payment plan.
The fee will fund a revenue-sharing pool for student-athletes. Revenue sharing with student-athletes could begin as early as 2025 as a result of the House v. NCAA lawsuit.
Terms of the settlement have not been finalized, but it is expected to permit athletic departments to directly compensate athletes up to $20 million.
SEC and Big Ten schools are expected to opt into the model.
Tennessee extends contract for women’s tennis head coach Alison Ojeda.
Tennessee announced a contract extension for women’s tennis head coach Alison Ojeda on Thursday. Her contract extension is through June 30, 2029.
“Alison’s competitive drive and commitment to the student-athlete experience is extraordinary,” Tennessee vice chancellor and director of athletics Danny White said. “As a former Tennessee student-athlete, she takes great pride in the holistic development of everyone in her program. Her passion for Tennessee, her ability to teach and develop talent and her commitment to fostering a championship culture will continue to elevate her program and allow them to consistently compete for SEC and National Championships.”
Ojeda has served as the Lady Vols’ head coach since Nov. 2016.
Donde Plowman announces she has extended Danny White’s contract as vice chancellor and director of athletics at Tennessee.
The University of Tennessee announced a contract extension for vice chancellor and director of athletics Danny White until 2030.
“When Danny says he and his team of exceptional athletics administrators and coaches are working to build the best athletics department in the country, those are not just empty words,” Donde Plowman, Chancellor, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, said. “Danny is visionary — a leader in our conference and across the country — and is focused every day on creating the very best experiences for our student-athletes, our fans and our athletics department. That focus and commitment are yielding extraordinary results across all sports.”
“We have phenomenal leadership at the University of Tennessee — from our chancellor, my boss Donde Plowman, to our UT System president, Randy Boyd, and our board chair, John Compton,” White said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve such an upwardly mobile institution with talented, supportive people all around me. Our student-athletes, coaches and staff are inspired to be a part of something bigger than themselves — powered by the best fan base in sport. Together we have an opportunity to build something extraordinary on Rocky Top. I believe that the momentum we’ve built in our first few years is only the beginning of a much more profound story.”
Tennessee vice chancellor and director of athletics Danny White announced a contract extension for Vitello on Friday. Vitello’s extension is for five years through June 30, 2029.
“Tony and his staff have developed the country’s top baseball program, and we are excited to announce this long-term extension to keep Tony on Rocky Top,” White said. “As an athletics department, we aim to lead the way in college sports, and Tony has created a baseball program that sets the standard across the entire sport.
“The on-field results in the nation’s best conference are unmatched, and the enthusiasm he has brought to Vol Nation has been incredible to witness.”
Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello provided an update on construction.
“Our staff and I appreciate Vol nation for all the support we’ve received, specifically from our fans who have created one of the best home-field advantages in college baseball,” Vitello said. “The ongoing updates to Lindsey Nelson Stadium will only enhance the incredible environment established on Rocky Top for our passionate supporters who deserve a first-class facility that stands among the best in the country. While we all wish these updates could be completed by the start of next season, we understand the in-depth process required to complete a project of this magnitude and the challenges that come with it.”
UT press release on additional construction at Lindsey Nelson Stadium:
We are dedicated to transparency and want to keep you updated on the significant renovations taking place at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Despite facing unexpected challenges, we are making steady progress and are unwavering in our goal to elevate the fan experience.
Construction is well underway, and while we’ve faced some unexpected challenges, we remain dedicated to enhancing the fan experience.
“We are enthusiastic about offering a world-class experience for the best fans in the country once the renovations at Lindsey Nelson Stadium are complete,” stated Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White. “We deeply appreciate our fans’ patience and understanding as we navigate through the construction process.”
Despite these hurdles, we are excited and pleased to share what project components will be ready for the 2025 season:
NEW: 4 seat tabletop units (4Topps) along the right field line
NEW: Additional chairback seats under a new mezzanine level
NEW: Permanent net system
NEW: Left field bar on main concourse (behind the current 4Topps section)
NEW: Right field student section
NEW: 1st Baseline restrooms and concessions
Renovated restrooms on main concourse behind home plate
Enhanced seating behind home plate (brand new cushioned MVP style seats; these seats will increase in price with access to the MVP room and those amenities in 2026)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What construction challenges have occurred?
The project team encountered several issues and unforeseen conditions associated with stadium site work and the relocation of surrounding utilities. The project requires a series of significant and complicated utility relocations, which often necessitate additional processes, including local utility review and approval. The relocation of utilities must be completed prior to completing several other aspects and milestones of the project, such as the placement of foundations and erection of steel for the new third-level club and suites.
Will Pat Head Summitt Street remain closed?
During the 2025 season, Pat Head Summitt Street will remain closed to vehicular traffic. The general contractor will use most of the street as “lay down space” for the continued construction along the stadium’s east side. The street will have a pedestrian pathway connecting foot traffic from the home plate area to Todd Helton Drive.
Will the main entry gate behind home plate be operational?
Fans will notice construction continuing around the main entry gate of Lindsey Nelson Stadium during the 2025 season. As progress develops on the spaces that will be new in 2026, construction updates will continue to be made throughout the 2025 season.
What construction will be complete for the 2026 season?
NEW: Home plate entrance and plaza area
NEW: Third level suites and club space
NEW: Sound system
NEW: Kitchen
NEW: Team merchandise shop and ticket office
NEW: Player entry corridor
NEW: 3rd Baseline restrooms and concessions
Fully completed mezzanine level
Renovated concessions on main concourse behind home plate
“We are extremely excited and absolutely thrilled to embark on it,” White said. “It wasn’t that long ago we celebrated the 100-year anniversary in Neyland Stadium. What does the next 100 years look like, and that’s what today is all about. Y’all have heard me talk about big-time aspirations here. This is a big day for our university, for our athletics department, and certainly for our football program, our football stadium and our fan experience here, but we are constantly looking for ways to generate revenue.
“Thread the needle between being innovative and finding ways where we can look a little bit like pro sports. Also, understand the history and pageantry of college athletics. Certainly, here more than anywhere else in the country and with this iconic building. We have done a lot of things to try to move the needle and increase our resource base and to move the needle in our corporate sponsorships space in everything that we do. We are going to continue to have our foot on the accelerator as we work to build the best athletic department in the country. I have still not found a reason why we can’t do that in Knoxville.
“We have every possibility of doing that. I won’t bore you with all the metrics that you all know about that’s been accomplished here for the last few years. We are as excited as ever with what can be accomplished here. About three and a half years ago, I think it was my first month on the job. We had renderings, and we had blueprints, and all sorts of things for a Neyland Stadium project that just needed to be pressed go. Maybe I was young and dumb enough to do it without knowing how we were going to pay for it all. In all seriousness, we have built a business plan on how we are going to get this project going as quickly as possible, but we knew all along we needed a lead corporate partner for the short and long term viability of this stadium.
“It’s a 337-million-dollar project. The vast majority of the improvements to this stadium are for our fan experience. We have the best fans in all of sports, not just college. They have proven that time and time again. Neyland Stadium is sold out with a waiting list of 15,000 strong. Our basketball is sold out. Baseball and softball are sold out. I’m not sure there is another school in the country that has that kind of support across the board from our fans. They show up on the road and they show up here in Knoxville like no other. We will not take them for granted.
“We are investing in their experience. That’s what this is about. Neyland Stadium is iconic. It’s historical. It’s an unbelievable building, but it can get a little more comfortable. The fan experience can get a little better. We know that we need to improve on that, and we are working to do that every day.
“When I first met Adam Wright, just a little over a year ago, and his wife Sabrina they moved here to Knoxville. The new leadership at Pilot, and talking about the next chapter not only for Tennessee and Tennessee Football but Pilot. How we can work together to make this happen for our community and our fans?
“I think today is about two historic brands in Knoxville coming together. What I have been thinking about a lot this week is if Tennessee athletics is thriving and Pilot is thriving then the community of Knoxville and East Tennessee is thriving. We can provide value to all of our corporate sponsors. Certainly, at this level, with national exposure and national value. We can work together to make this an even better place to live in as we move forward. When we are playing football games, when we are having concerts, and some of the other stuff we are working on, really 365 days a year. Excited to move forward with this announcement and with the long-term partnership with Tennessee Athletics and with Neyland Stadium and with Pilot. I really appreciate you guys all coming together today.”
Neyland Stadium has been home of the Vols for more than 100 years and that legacy will live on thanks to a transformative partnership with Tennessee Athletics and Knoxville-based Pilot, the largest network of travel centers in North America.
Tennessee Athletics and Pilot are breaking new ground in college sports by entering a multi-year partnership that preserves the iconic venue’s name and enhances the stadium experience for future generations. Under the terms of the agreement, which is slated for up to 20 years and could extend further, the names of Neyland Stadium and Shields-Watkins Field will remain unchanged. Pilot is designated as the presenting partner of the Neyland Stadium renovation project and the official travel stop of Tennessee Athletics.
“As we navigate the changing landscape of college athletics, we are dedicated to building the best athletics department in the country,” said Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White. “Because we were committed to preserving the name of Neyland Stadium, finding a partner who shared this vision was essential. With deep roots here in Knoxville, Pilot recognizes the significance of Neyland and the importance of tradition to our fans and the university. Our focus continues to preserve and honor our storied past while modernizing to ensure we lead the way in college sports.”
Neyland Stadium. Home of the Vols. Proudly preserved by Pilot.
“Neyland Stadium is one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world and UT is a significant part of making Knoxville a special place that Pilot is proud to call home,” said Pilot CEO Adam Wright. “Through this partnership, we will preserve the legacy of Neyland while also investing in its future to create exceptional experiences for generations to come. We look forward to seeing you out here as we cheer on the Vols in Neyland.”
New signage on the east side of Neyland Stadium will feature a return of the iconic “Home of the Vols” along with Pilot’s logo. Pilot’s branding will also be on each side of Shields-Watkins field and in sponsored content with Tennessee Athletics and the Vol Network.
“Vol fans know better than anyone the magic of Neyland on game day and the feeling of singing Rocky Top in the same stadium where the greatest Vol legends made their name,” said UT Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman. “Our partnership with Pilot is all about preserving and enriching that experience to make sure fans and their families will continue to make these same kinds of memories for decades to come.”
Pilot’s transformative sponsorship underscores its dedication to the Knoxville community by ensuring Neyland Stadium remains a flagship destination for future generations. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot is committed to showing people they matter at every turn and building strong relationships within the communities it operates. Pilot employs over 2,500 team members in the greater Knoxville area and has a long-standing relationship with the University of Tennessee.
“For more than 65 years, we have fueled fans across North America as they hit the open road for big games,” said Pilot’s chief marketing officer Adrienne Ingoldt. “There’s nothing like Neyland Stadium packed with passionate fans who’ve traveled from near and far to root for the beloved Vols. Pilot is out here to fuel them up, fill them up and lift them up on the way to victory.”
Neyland Stadium Renovation Project
One of the many unique aspects of this partnership is the investment in the Neyland Stadium renovation project, which will continue to modernize and enhance the fan experience. Future updates will include necessary upgrades to the south side and perimeter of the stadium, such as widening concourses, constructing expanded gates and entryways, and adding additional restrooms and concessions areas.
This element of the partnership will dramatically improve fan comfort and safety, reduce wait times, and allow for more food and beverage offerings. There will also be a Pilot-sponsored Fast Favorites refreshment and snack stand located inside the main stadium entrance at Gate 21.
Fans can expect to see the new “Home of the Vols” signage with Pilot branding and many of the completed renovations in Neyland Stadium with the start of the football season, which kicks off on August 31.
Historic Neyland Stadium
In 1962, the UT Board of Trustees voted to have the stadium bear the name of its most famous and winningest coach, General Robert R. Neyland, whose combined win total was an astounding 173-31-12. Neyland was informed of the board’s decision only weeks before his death and was appreciative.
Neyland, a US Army Brigadier General, served notable stints in both World Wars and is regarded for his military and coaching careers.
The magnificent venue with Neyland’s name has undergone multiple expansions since its opening in 1921. Neyland’s engineering background has had a lasting impact – the master design plans were all orchestrated by Neyland himself, with his vision that the mighty cathedral would one day be fully enclosed, feature double decks on all sides and seat over 100,000 fans.
Six Tennessee teams that captured national championships have called Neyland Stadium home, while 22 players and four head coaches authored careers worthy of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame on Neyland’s hallowed ground. The 2024 season will be the 103rd in the venue that has seen historic upgrades.
In the fall of 2021, Tennessee Athletics celebrated 100 years of Volunteers football at historic Neyland Stadium. During its first century of service to the Big Orange faithful, the venue grew in both capacity and reverence while evolving into one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world.
Recent decades have brought significant investments in expansion, the development of innovative premium-seating sections and stadium-wide amenity enhancements, including Wi-Fi.
Introducing the new lower-west club and upper-north social deck spaces in 2022 brought Neyland Stadium’s seating capacity to 101,915—the sixth largest among college football venues.
Other recent stadium enhancements include the restoration of the historic V-O-L-S lettersalong the top of the facility’s south end (2022), a second video board on the upper-north deck (2022) and bronze statues honoring four of Tennessee’s football trailblazers (2021).
For more information about Tennessee Athletics, visit UTSports.com, and to learn more about Pilot, visit pilotflyingj.com. The agreement was negotiated by Tennessee Athletics’ multimedia rights partner, The Vol Network, and Intersport. Financial details of the sponsorship will not be made public.
About Pilot
Pilot Travel Centers LLC (“Pilot”) keeps North America’s drivers moving as the leading energy and experience provider people rely on to fuel their journeys. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and employs approximately 30,000 team members. As the largest network of travel centers, Pilot has nearly 900 locations in 44 states and six Canadian provinces, serving an average of 1.2 million guests per day. In addition to travel center services, Pilot and its partners offer trucking fleets a variety of solutions for fuel, credit, factoring, maintenance and rewards. The company operates the third largest fuel tanker fleet in North America and supplies approximately 12 billion gallons of fuel per year. Pilot is committed to shaping the future of energy as one of the largest providers of biodiesel and renewable fuels and through the development of its EV charging network and low carbon fueling alternatives. For additional information about Pilot, visit pilotflyingj.com.
Tennessee athletics finishes third in LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup standings.
Tennessee’s athletic program finished third in the 2023-24 LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup standings. The Vols’ and Lady Vols’ finish was announced Wednesday by the National Association of College Directors of Athletics.
Tennessee has continued a steady climb in the Directors’ Cup standings since since Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White arrived on campus in 2021.
UT finished 26th in 2020-21 before improving to 13th in 2021-22. Tennessee finished sixth last year.
Before finishing sixth in 2022-23, Tennessee last posted a top 10 finish in the Directors’ Cup standings was in 2006-07 when it finished seventh.
“In rise glorious, our five-year strategic plan competitive excellence has been one of the primary pillars of importance to our athletics department,” White said. “Achieving a third-place finish in the LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup is a remarkable accomplishment, setting a new benchmark for our department.
“WE take great pride in being an everything school. (with) all 20 of our sports reaching the postseason, with 11 finishing in the top-10 nationally is significant. This historic achievement is the result of everyone’s effort on Rocky Top.”
UT was one of two Power Five Schools to reach the postseason in every sport in 2023-24.
“After a thorough review of our women’s basketball program, I have informed Kellie we are making a change in leadership,” White said. “Decisions like these are never easy to make, especially with someone who has done so much for the Lady Vols as a three-time national champion student-athlete. Her love and passion for Tennessee and the Lady Vols is second to none. She has invested so much heart and soul into our program and truly has given her all for Tennessee. I thank Kellie for her stewardship of our women’s basketball program and wish her and Jon well in the next chapter of their lives.”
Tennessee hires Allen Greene as Senior Deputy Athletics Director.
The University of Tennessee announced the hiring of Allen Greene as senior deputy athletics director on Thursday.
“One of the key objectives from our strategic plan “Rise Glorious” was to attract goal-driven and intensely competitive teammates to strengthen our family-oriented, innovative and fearless culture and Allen is a tremendous addition to our leadership team,” Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White said. “Allen’s one of the most dynamic and engaging leaders I’ve been fortunate to work alongside, and I am thrilled to be able to add one of the stars of our profession and his wonderful family to Rocky Top.”
Greene served as Auburn’s director of athletics from 2018-2022. He also served as director of athletics at Buffalo from 2015-18.
“I’m very appreciative for this opportunity to once again be a teammate with Danny and join the talented executive team he has assembled at Tennessee,” Greene said. “The Tennessee brand is second to none and I am looking forward to help propel UT athletics in this modern era of our industry. My family and I can’t wait to get started on Rocky Top.”
