Baller Vol: How is This Not an NCAA Violation?

Gary Parrish had an interesting story today about an incoming Tennessee recruit named Renaldo Woolridge, a 6′8 top 100 power forward from Southern California who has an impressive bloodline - his dad happens to be former Notre Dame all-american (1981) and longtime NBA journeyman, Orlando Woolridge. 

(photo credit:  MySpace)

The story goes into considerable detail as to the younger Woolridge’s burgeoning rap career, replete with the obligatory MySpace page and stage-friendly moniker, The Answer aka Swiperboy.  And yeah, we agree with Parrish when he says that it’s obvious after listening to the tracks that this kid has a little more talent than your average hoopster/rapper wannabe. 

What really piqued our interest, though, was when we listened to the song, “Baller Vol,” which quite clearly pays homage to Woolridge’s new school and teammates (listen below).  We may not have caught them all, but we heard players Scotty Hopson, Wayne Chism, Tyler Smith, JP Prince and coach Bruce Pearl mentioned. 

Not to be a total wet blanket here, because this seems like just a kid having some fun - Woolridge even mentioned that UT may use his track for player introductions this year - but how is this not an NCAA violation?  Wouldn’t Wooldridge’s production company, Swiperboyz Entertainment, be considered a commercial enterprise?  And if so, aren’t there fairly explicit rules as to the limitations or usage of the university’s logo and likeness?  For example, look at Rule 12.5.1.3(c) from the NCAA Rules & Regulations:

But on Woolridge’s MySpace site, it’s obvious that he’s a Vol and even includes a conspicuous image of him flexing while wearing a UT jersey. 

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