Kentucky needs more NIL money or Mark Stoops says it is going to fall behind other SEC teams. (Vicky Graff Photo)
Like it or not, conversations about name, image and likeness (NIL) are not going away because Kentucky coach Mark Stoops understands for his program to keep pace, he has to keep mentioning NIL’s impact.
After talking about NIL at his weekly press conference on Monday, the UK coach mentioned it again Wednesday on the SEC coaches teleconference.
“It is what it is. We do the very best we can. That’s all I’ve ever done is try to concentrate on Kentucky,” said Stoops. “I’ve been here a while and had to overcome a lot of things and this is another thing that you have to battle and compete and fight.”
Just what all he has to fight is not clear but it seems Kentucky is lagging behind some other SEC football teams in NIL opportunities for players. That has already led to speculation that some of UK’s best young players might transfer to a school that has more lucrative NIL chances.
“It does me no good to whine or cry or complain about anybody else. I can’t control anybody else,” Stoops said. “But I can control our program, and we’re doing the very best we can, and yes, I think just like most people we need the support.”
“We need more. We need to get this collective rolling, or we’re going to fall way behind in this league, because you know and I know the way things are going with some others here in our league.”
One Response
There is a HUGE difference between the intent of NIL and the current "pay to play" / "sell my skills to the highest bidder" process that is turning college athletics into semi-pro / minor league teams.
Eventually it will migrate into players making more than the coaches at some schools.
Thankfully, as the professional sports have proven, the highest payroll does not guarantee Championships.