• Loading stock data...
Friday, October 31, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here
Law

Ex-Tennessee Football Player, On3 Staffer Accused of Financial Scams

Grant Frerking worked for On3 and the UT football program while stealing from customers of his former company, a report says.

Tennessee wide receiver Grant Frerking (0) drills during fall practice at Haslam Field in Knoxville, Tenn. on Friday, Aug. 6, 2021.
Imagn Images

A former Tennessee football player and employee at the sports media outlet On3 has been accused of scamming customers years after leaving the Georgia company he founded, all while being employed by the UT athletic department.

Grant Frerking played for the Vols from 2017–22 as a walk-on, coming to the school from the Atlanta area. When he was in high school, he founded Metro Straw, a ground cover company that installs straw and mulch. In 2021, he joined On3 to work on the business side of its name, image, and likeness efforts.

This week, Knox News reported Frerking, 26, had scammed customers by pretending he still worked at Metro Straw, taking their money but never rendering services. The outlet also said Frerking had a dozen civil claims filed against him since 2023 (mostly from a single landlord), owed more than $16,000 in unpaid rent to two different landlords in Nashville, and had solicited and borrowed money from former teammates and other UT athletes. On Thursday, Knox News reported Frerking made $30,000 over the past two years as a part-time consultant for the football program, particularly around NIL matters.

Customers told Knox News that as recently as last month, Frerking had still acted as a representative for Metro Straw, accepting deposits as he promised services, stealing from customers’ debit accounts, and having them send payments to his girlfriend’s Venmo account.

“Metro Straw and former owner Grant Frerking have parted ways for 2 years,” reads a statement on the company’s website. “Metro Straw does not associate with Grant Frerking in any way. Metro Straw continues to work in delivering top pine straw and mulch services to the residents of Metro Atlanta and its surrounding areas.”

On3 said it is aware of the allegations against Frerking, who held roles including president of its NIL University, director of the On3 Athlete Network, and leader of its major NIL events. The company said Frerking stopped working there on May 27.

“On3 has a zero tolerance policy for blatant violations of its internal standards and values, and takes allegations of criminal misconduct seriously,” the company said in a statement on social media. “An internal investigation into the allegations is ongoing.”

Two separate police departments in Milton and Roswell, Ga., are now looking into the allegations against Frerking, Knox News reported. Frerking did not respond to a request for comment.

Front Office Sports obtained copies of documents from both police departments that prompted their investigations. In the documents, citizens claimed Frerking had promised them services in early May but never delivered, and that about 15 people living in the same neighborhood had lost a combined total of more than $15,000 to Frerking. One document also mentioned a complaint had been filed with the Federal Trade Commission.

The former Vol held a position on the board of Volunteer Legacy, a nonprofit arm of Tennessee collective Spyre Sports focused on charitable NIL deals. But according to contracts first reported by Knox News and obtained by FOS, he was hired by the football program on July 1, 2023, to advise coaches, staff, and players using his NIL expertise. He was tasked with public appearances “aiding in future development of [the] program” and “guiding communication efforts” with outside entities that would “ensure program success.” His duties included helping coaches learn “best practices for navigating the current climate of College Football.” He was paid $7,500 every six months, with the last payment due on Jan. 1, 2025.

A spokesperson for the Tennessee athletic department tells FOS the school was unaware of any complaints or allegations against Frerking and his business practices. “We are learning about the situation as it evolves. His consulting agreement will not be renewed,” the spokesperson said.

Shannon Terry, On3’s founder and CEO, posted online that the company wasn’t aware Frerking had a paid relationship with UT.

“Grant was explicitly instructed not to engage, either directly or indirectly, with the University of Tennessee or its associated collective,” Terry wrote. “On multiple occasions during his employment, he was asked to confirm compliance with this directive, and he repeatedly denied any involvement. These representations were false. He lied to us.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 13, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA; Susanna Sullivan of the United States of America finishes seventh in the Chicago Marathon at Grant Park

More Races, More Money: How Pro Marathoners Are Earning More

More races per year mean more money—but the math isn’t simple.

LSU Officials Vow Stability: ‘Not Broken’ With Coach and AD Gone

Officials announced a search committee and tried to correct the record.
Sep 6, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly looks on against Louisiana Tech Bulldogs during the second half at Tiger Stadium.

The Governor Who Inserted Himself Into a College Football Coaching Search

The governor said he was concerned taxpayers would be left paying Kelly’s buyout.

Featured Today

Oct 28, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) pitches during the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during game four of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.

Shohei Ohtani Card Market Is Surging—With No Signs of Slowing

Cards have spiked hundreds of thousands of dollars from their initial value.
September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium
October 26, 2025

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin
October 25, 2025

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
Multiple streaming services appear on a Roku TV.

Disney, YouTube Settle Suit Over Poached Exec With Deep ESPN Ties

A carriage dispute between Disney and YouTube remains ongoing.
FuboTV
October 29, 2025

Disney’s Fubo Deal Closes After DOJ Ends Antitrust Review

The deal creates the sixth-largest pay-TV company in the U.S.
Oct 25, 2025; Martinsville, Virginia, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Busch (8) before NASCAR Cup Series Xfinity 500 Practice and Qualifying at Martinsville Speedway.
October 29, 2025

NASCAR Star Kyle Busch Sues Pacific Life Over $8.5M Insurance Scam

Busch says he lost $8.58 million from Pacific Life.
Sponsored

Why Alexis Ohanian Is Betting Big on Women’s Sports

Alexis Ohanian reflects on his evolution from Reddit cofounder to one of today’s most dynamic sports investors.
October 29, 2025

Rozier’s Lawyer Says Missed 2023 Games Cost Him Shoe Money

Rozier had a Puma deal through the end of the 2022–23 season.
October 28, 2025

The $80 Million F1 ‘Crashgate’ Case Heads to Court

Massa placed second to Lewis Hamilton in the 2008 drivers’ championship.
Terry Rozier
October 24, 2025

NBA Strongly Denies Quietly Suspending Terry Rozier in 2023

Brian Windhorst appeared to walk back his comments Friday morning.
Rozier
October 23, 2025

Terry Rozier and Chauncey Billups Will Fight Gambling Cases

Both disputed prosecutors’ versions of events Thursday night.