KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee men's athletic department has pledged to give another $1 million to the university for academics annually for the next 15 years.

The $15 million will come from Tennessee's share of a 15-year television deal between the Southeastern Conference and ESPN.

The largest share of the annual gift — $800,000 — will fund 40 graduate student assistantships each year in colleges across the campus.

The self-supported athletic department gave more than $7 million in direct cash support to the university during the fiscal year that ended June 30. With the $1 million donation, the total contribution in the new fiscal year will exceed $11 million.