JMI…Learfield….Playfly

[Jeauxboo]

No they don’t, you can use any form of NIL that you want. You all keep claiming that athletes have to use JMI when they don’t. No matter how many times yall lie, athletes can still do deals with whomever they want without using JMI. The only restrictions are the new clearinghouse that all NIL at every program go through to make sure they’re legit. You also claim that it’s a slow process when you have no earthly idea how any of it works.

Nobody said players can’t sign NIL deals with whoever they want — that’s true everywhere. The issue isn’t whether deals exist, it’s the friction created when NIL intersects with assets that JMI controls: categories, marks, in-venue activations, digital inventory, and sponsor exclusivity. That’s where the flexibility gap shows up.

Other SEC schools give their collectives broad access to IP, activation space, and corporate relationships without those extra layers. At Kentucky, once a brand wants to use UK marks, do an activation, or falls into a protected category, JMI becomes part of the process. That’s where deals slow down or get re-routed, and that’s where the competitive disadvantage shows up.

No one is claiming athletes are ‘forced’ to use JMI. The point is that the highest-value NIL deals — the ones involving branding, marks, exposure, or major corporate partners — run into restrictions that don’t exist at schools with more autonomous NIL models. That isn’t a conspiracy; it’s just how the contract is structured.

This isn’t about fighting anyone’s war. It’s about acknowledging where the system creates bottlenecks so Kentucky can compete with the Tennessees and LSUs of the NIL world. Pretending those structural differences don’t exist doesn’t help UK — it just keeps the program behind the curve.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

I ran articles about the JMI through ChatGPT and while that software is dumb in some ways, it usually does a pretty good job disseminating specific information. According to ChatGPT, there isn’t anything that would restrict non-JMI NIL ventures although the new rules that affect every program will make approval for funds a little trickier since there’s more oversight.

None of us —- literally none of us know whether JMI will work, won’t work, somewhere in the middle, etc. If you are saying you know, you’re overplaying your hand. Best we can do is hope for the best. I will say though, anyone who is definitive about this being the deathnail for NIL, please excuse me when I point out your inconsistency the next time you’re complaining about not landing enough studs or top players. It’s all love but you can’t have it both ways —- claim the program is bootstrapped to a knife while also being angry the coach didn’t get all the players you wanted. Pick a lane and be consistent at least.

 

[Verbal Kint II]

Nobody said players can’t sign NIL deals with whoever they want — that’s true everywhere. The issue isn’t whether deals exist, it’s the friction created when NIL intersects with assets that JMI controls: categories, marks, in-venue activations, digital inventory, and sponsor exclusivity. That’s where the flexibility gap shows up.

Other SEC schools give their collectives broad access to IP, activation space, and corporate relationships without those extra layers. At Kentucky, once a brand wants to use UK marks, do an activation, or falls into a protected category, JMI becomes part of the process. That’s where deals slow down or get re-routed, and that’s where the competitive disadvantage shows up.

No one is claiming athletes are ‘forced’ to use JMI. The point is that the highest-value NIL deals — the ones involving branding, marks, exposure, or major corporate partners — run into restrictions that don’t exist at schools with more autonomous NIL models. That isn’t a conspiracy; it’s just how the contract is structured.

This isn’t about fighting anyone’s war. It’s about acknowledging where the system creates bottlenecks so Kentucky can compete with the Tennessees and LSUs of the NIL world. Pretending those structural differences don’t exist doesn’t help UK — it just keeps the program behind the curve.

What are you even talking about? JMI controls BBN Suites, nothing else. Nothing else intersects. Other schools don’t let outside entities use their marks or logos either. You all have no idea what you’re talking about. Coca Cola is one of UKs corporate sponsors but a player could do a deal with Pepsi, Ale 8, or any other company they wanted. Lying and saying they do exist don’t help UK at all either, again just fighting Matt Jones war because he lost access.

Not one of you could give a single example of
this corporate bottleneck, it’s just a coordinated attack on a company for a radio host who controls your mind.

 

[Goingfor9]

LOOK IT UP! The executive UK AD Rachel Baker is married to JMI Executive Brandon Baker. His Bio mentions her by name!

The entire UK athletics dept is a cesspool of greed and shady contracts! They all need to go!

It’s a good ole boy system making each other rich. They just sent their good friend and golden parachute contract holder stoops packing. The guy can travel the world the rest of his life. Barney fighting generational middle classness a different way.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

It’s a good ole boy system making each other rich. They just sent their good friend and golden parachute contract holder stoops packing. The guy can travel the world the rest of his life. Barney fighting generational middle classness a different way.

The only problem with this is the guy who is angry and making a big stink about the deal wanted the NIL to be contractually inked to a business partner. Oof. So why not stop listening to the doomsayer who has his own conflict of interest here? Do you have anything from Forbes, Bloomsberg, any financial analyst citing the deal with specific details saying it was a bad deal? If not, just let it play out and quit worrying so deeply over something that will only cause you stress and you can’t control anyway.

 

[Goingfor9]

The only problem with this is the guy who is angry and making a big stink about the deal wanted the NIL to be contractually inked to a business partner. Oof. So why not stop listening to the doomsayer who has his own conflict of interest here? Do you have anything from Forbes, Bloomsberg, any financial analyst citing the deal with specific details saying it was a bad deal? If not, just let it play out and quit worrying so deeply over something that will only cause you stress and you can’t control anyway.

I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just talking about our athletics program run by Barney. The swim coach was rqping a player right under Barney’s nose yet the clown still has a job and his plausible deniability is absurd. He should have been fired for that but Eli will not let this guy go. The details will come out when the trial begins. This has been what’s alleged about Barney. This JMI crap is a move to distract folks from that horrific incident.

btw pope is responsible for recruiting. We are paying top dollar for scrubs that’s on him.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just talking about our athletics program run by Barney. The swim coach was rqping a player right under Barney’s nose yet the clown still has a job and his plausible deniability is absurd. He should have been fired for that but Eli will not let this guy go. The details will come out when the trial begins. This has been what’s alleged about Barney. This JMI crap is a move to distract folks from that horrific incident.

btw pope is responsible for recruiting. We are paying top dollar for scrubs that’s on him.

The swim stuff is far outside my sphere of knowledge and will be handled by the appropriate authorities there.

As far as JMI, if you’re saying “we are paying top dollar for scrubs”, you really don’t see how that undermines the doom discussion about JMI? lol. Whether scrubs or all-stars, if you can approve massive NIL funds what the heck are people declaring deathnails over? Pick a lane and I’d respect the opinion. Playing both is absurd.

 

[Jeauxboo]

What are you even talking about? JMI controls BBN Suites, nothing else. Nothing else intersects. Other schools don’t let outside entities use their marks or logos either. You all have no idea what you’re talking about. Coca Cola is one of UKs corporate sponsors but a player could do a deal with Pepsi, Ale 8, or any other company they wanted. Lying and saying they do exist don’t help UK at all either, again just fighting Matt Jones war because he lost access.

Not one of you could give a single example of
this corporate bottleneck, it’s just a coordinated attack on a company for a radio host who controls your mind.

You’re focusing on whether a player can sign a deal with Pepsi instead of Coca-Cola. That’s not the issue, and nobody is arguing that. The real friction isn’t who an athlete can sign with — it’s what happens the moment the deal touches UK assets JMI controls: marks, logos, venue space, activation rights, categories, or digital inventory. That’s where things slow down.

And yes, other schools protect their marks, but the difference is this: Tennessee, LSU, A&M, and Ole Miss carved NIL into a separate lane where collectives and corporate partners can access IP and activations without having to work inside an MMR structure. Kentucky didn’t. JMI absorbed the in-house NIL operation and kept control of the commercial ecosystem around it. That’s the structural gap.

Examples of bottlenecks aren’t hypothetical — they’re the same ones every rights-holder partnership creates if NIL isn’t carved out:
• A brand wants UK co-branding in a player NIL deal → requires JMI licensing.
• A company wants in-venue NIL activation → JMI controls that space.
• A deal touches a protected category (even indirectly) → JMI has to review it.
• A collective wants to run a campaign using UK marks → routed through JMI.

None of that stops NIL deals from happening. It just adds layers other SEC programs removed years ago, which affects speed and flexibility. And in NIL, speed is the difference between landing a player and losing him.

This isn’t a ‘coordinated attack’ or a radio host conspiracy. It’s simply acknowledging that Kentucky chose a centralized corporate structure in an era where decentralized NIL ecosystems win. Pretending those differences don’t exist doesn’t make UK more competitive — it just keeps it stuck in the same model.

 

[Verbal Kint II]

You’re focusing on whether a player can sign a deal with Pepsi instead of Coca-Cola. That’s not the issue, and nobody is arguing that. The real friction isn’t who an athlete can sign with — it’s what happens the moment the deal touches UK assets JMI controls: marks, logos, venue space, activation rights, categories, or digital inventory. That’s where things slow down.

And yes, other schools protect their marks, but the difference is this: Tennessee, LSU, A&M, and Ole Miss carved NIL into a separate lane where collectives and corporate partners can access IP and activations without having to work inside an MMR structure. Kentucky didn’t. JMI absorbed the in-house NIL operation and kept control of the commercial ecosystem around it. That’s the structural gap.

Examples of bottlenecks aren’t hypothetical — they’re the same ones every rights-holder partnership creates if NIL isn’t carved out:
• A brand wants UK co-branding in a player NIL deal → requires JMI licensing.
• A company wants in-venue NIL activation → JMI controls that space.
• A deal touches a protected category (even indirectly) → JMI has to review it.
• A collective wants to run a campaign using UK marks → routed through JMI.

None of that stops NIL deals from happening. It just adds layers other SEC programs removed years ago, which affects speed and flexibility. And in NIL, speed is the difference between landing a player and losing him.

This isn’t a ‘coordinated attack’ or a radio host conspiracy. It’s simply acknowledging that Kentucky chose a centralized corporate structure in an era where decentralized NIL ecosystems win. Pretending those differences don’t exist doesn’t make UK more competitive — it just keeps it stuck in the same model.

So you’re saying when an athlete does a co branding NIL deal at Georgia they auto approve it and CLC doesn’t get involved? How long does they JMI review take approximately?

 

[fisherscatfan]

Some excerpts from this article. NONE OF THE FOLLOWING WORDS IN ITALICS ARE MINE:

Well, we heard from the President of JMI on the new deal to give some more insight. Paul Archey joined Tom Leach on the Leach Report on Thursday, and had this to say about how they will operate in their new contract.
“We’re not a general manager at all. We’re not involved in roster management or the recruitment of athletes, only just with the respect as it would relate to their NIL value and getting some NIL deals,” Archey said. “It’s changed because the system has changed, starting with the House settlement and the new rules in place starting July 1. Every deal over $600 has to pass through NIL Go.”

We have more long-term partnerships, the value of those partnerships, than any other school in the country, and that puts, in this rev-share model, very low risk on Kentucky.”
It seems like JMI and UK really believe that Congress is going to pass some laws to put an end to the wild west that collectives have become in the NIL era. Now, if those laws never get passed, then things get dicier.

President of JMI Paul Archery talks with Tom Leach on new UK deal

“We’re not a general manager at all.”

www.aseaofblue.com

EDIT: Guess what—the laws didn’t get passed. Guess what UK is struggling to get NIL deals for 2026 recruits. HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH 2025 ROSTER BUT APPEARS TO BE IMPACTING GOING FORWARD.

 

[kywildcat1021979]

LOOK IT UP! The executive UK AD Rachel Baker is married to JMI Executive Brandon Baker. His Bio mentions her by name!

The entire UK athletics dept is a cesspool of greed and shady contracts! They all need to go!

All the way to the President of the University!

 

[Jeauxboo]

So you’re saying when an athlete does a co branding NIL deal at Georgia they auto approve it and CLC doesn’t get involved? How long does they JMI review take approximately?

At Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, etc., once CLC clears the marks, the school’s NIL structure is pretty streamlined. There usually isn’t an additional multimedia-rights partner controlling categories, activations, or existing sponsor conflicts on top of the licensing step. That’s why their co-branded NIL deals move faster.
As for how long JMI review takes it varies. Sometimes it’s quick if there are no conflicts, sometimes it slows down if a category or activation overlaps with an existing sponsor. The timeline isn’t the issue by itself it’s that NIL competitiveness in the SEC often requires same-day or next-day movement, and extra layers can make that harder.
And none of this has anything to do with Pope’s roster construction that’s a completely separate discussion. This is just about the structural reality of how NIL deals flow at different schools.

 

[Jeauxboo]

Think of it like Congress: every school has a ‘CLC House of Representatives’ reviewing the marks. But Kentucky also has a ‘JMI Senate.’ Even if the House approves something quickly, it can still get held up in the Senate. Meanwhile, other SEC schools essentially operate with just one chamber. That’s the best real-world comparison.

 

[fisherscatfan]

NIL Go is governed not by the NCAA, but by the Power Four conferences—the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC. Deloitte will review submitted contracts to ensure they reflect “reasonable market value” and authentic commercial activity. For instance, a swimmer receiving $1,000 to promote a local swim shop must show deliverables such as social media posts or appearances. If the deal lacks substance or is deemed excessive in value, it may be rejected (Deloitte Briefing, 2025).

This attempt to enforce transparency, however, has generated controversy. Deloitte estimates that nearly 70% of past NIL collective deals—often tied to football or basketball—would not meet the new standards. Conversely, 90% of NIL deals involving public companies would likely pass, highlighting a preference for corporate-backed sponsorships over booster-funded schemes (Athletes.org Analysis, 2025).

What is the new Deloitte NIL Clearinghouse, and what will it actually do?

How a new system aims to regulate NIL deals—and why it’s controversial Among the many ripple effects of the House v. NCAA settlement is the introduction of NIL

wildcatbluenation.com

Other schools are operating with collectives as always. NIL at UK is monitored by JMI restricting outside collectives. Mitch says UK doesn’t need to break the rules. It’s not breaking the rules if everyone is doing it and nothing is being determined to be a violation.

 

[fisherscatfan]

You’re focusing on whether a player can sign a deal with Pepsi instead of Coca-Cola. That’s not the issue, and nobody is arguing that. The real friction isn’t who an athlete can sign with — it’s what happens the moment the deal touches UK assets JMI controls: marks, logos, venue space, activation rights, categories, or digital inventory. That’s where things slow down.

And yes, other schools protect their marks, but the difference is this: Tennessee, LSU, A&M, and Ole Miss carved NIL into a separate lane where collectives and corporate partners can access IP and activations without having to work inside an MMR structure. Kentucky didn’t. JMI absorbed the in-house NIL operation and kept control of the commercial ecosystem around it. That’s the structural gap.

Examples of bottlenecks aren’t hypothetical — they’re the same ones every rights-holder partnership creates if NIL isn’t carved out:
• A brand wants UK co-branding in a player NIL deal → requires JMI licensing.
• A company wants in-venue NIL activation → JMI controls that space.
• A deal touches a protected category (even indirectly) → JMI has to review it.
• A collective wants to run a campaign using UK marks → routed through JMI.

None of that stops NIL deals from happening. It just adds layers other SEC programs removed years ago, which affects speed and flexibility. And in NIL, speed is the difference between landing a player and losing him.

This isn’t a ‘coordinated attack’ or a radio host conspiracy. It’s simply acknowledging that Kentucky chose a centralized corporate structure in an era where decentralized NIL ecosystems win. Pretending those differences don’t exist doesn’t make UK more competitive — it just keeps it stuck in the same model.

Let’s look at it from JMI‘s perspective. What happens if they clear an NIL that is found to violate rules and UK gets hit hard? Does anyone think litigation concern isnt driving JMI approval process?

 

[chroix]

So were the only SEC program who signed exclusively with JMI. I’m just wondering how bad this is about to get. We can’t even get out of that contract until 2040. It’s probably yet another contract Mitch has screwed up on.

JMI is not as massive as the others, and from the looks of it, every other SEC program has used playfly or Learfield.

This looks to me to be a long range disaster. JMI has flexibility limits, fewer national brands, and far more collective restrictions. Looks like UK will fall behind NIL peers like Alabama, Tennessee, or LSU. I don’t know how you compete in football, and this has to be the reason we’re missing on so many recruits. JMI doesn’t look to be able to compete with the others. Can JMI match this? Anyone have a good pulse of this issue? Because from what I’ve heard this is going to cripple UK athletics moving forward. And if you look at this roster, it appears to already be happening.

How is Mitch Barnhart still able to show up to that office? He might have actually destroyed Kentucky basketball.

How could anyone sign a contract until 2040 unless it is for a ridiculously high/over valuation? Good lord.

 

[jedwar]

This thread is too intellectual for me. I just want to win games and show great hustle and effort win or lose.

 

[Verbal Kint II]

NIL Go is governed not by the NCAA, but by the Power Four conferences—the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC. Deloitte will review submitted contracts to ensure they reflect “reasonable market value” and authentic commercial activity. For instance, a swimmer receiving $1,000 to promote a local swim shop must show deliverables such as social media posts or appearances. If the deal lacks substance or is deemed excessive in value, it may be rejected (Deloitte Briefing, 2025).

This attempt to enforce transparency, however, has generated controversy. Deloitte estimates that nearly 70% of past NIL collective deals—often tied to football or basketball—would not meet the new standards. Conversely, 90% of NIL deals involving public companies would likely pass, highlighting a preference for corporate-backed sponsorships over booster-funded schemes (Athletes.org Analysis, 2025).

What is the new Deloitte NIL Clearinghouse, and what will it actually do?

How a new system aims to regulate NIL deals—and why it’s controversial Among the many ripple effects of the House v. NCAA settlement is the introduction of NIL

wildcatbluenation.com

Other schools are operating with collectives as always. NIL at UK is monitored by JMI restricting outside collectives. Mitch says UK doesn’t need to break the rules. It’s not breaking the rules if everyone is doing it and nothing is being determined to be a violation.

Where do you get this incorrect nonsense from? UK uses collectives just as they always have. JMI doesn’t restrict collectives or any other NIL deals that are available for athletes any more than any other program. Athletes are free to do whatever NIL deals they want and JMI has no control over them.

 

[Jeauxboo]

Let’s look at it from JMI‘s perspective. What happens if they clear an NIL that is found to violate rules and UK gets hit hard? Does anyone think litigation concern isnt driving JMI approval process?

Yeah, from JMI’s side there’s definitely a ‘better safe than sorry’ mindset. But that’s also kind of the culture they were hired into. Barnhart has always leaned ultra-conservative on compliance, branding, and risk that’s been his operating style for 20 years.

So JMI isn’t just checking boxes for legal protection; they’re matching the tone of the department. Other SEC schools treat NIL like a speed game, while UK still treats it like a compliance exercise. That’s why the process feels a little slower here than it does at Tennessee or LSU.

The whole thing’s just stuck back in the fried-bologna era while the rest of the SEC is serving wagyu.

 

[fisherscatfan]

Yeah, from JMI’s side there’s definitely a ‘better safe than sorry’ mindset. But that’s also kind of the culture they were hired into. Barnhart has always leaned ultra-conservative on compliance, branding, and risk that’s been his operating style for 20 years.

So JMI isn’t just checking boxes for legal protection; they’re matching the tone of the department. Other SEC schools treat NIL like a speed game, while UK still treats it like a compliance exercise. That’s why the process feels a little slower here than it does at Tennessee or LSU.

The whole thing’s just stuck back in the fried-bologna era while the rest of the SEC is serving wagyu.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[travisbickle]

Yeah, from JMI’s side there’s definitely a ‘better safe than sorry’ mindset. But that’s also kind of the culture they were hired into. Barnhart has always leaned ultra-conservative on compliance, branding, and risk that’s been his operating style for 20 years.

So JMI isn’t just checking boxes for legal protection; they’re matching the tone of the department. Other SEC schools treat NIL like a speed game, while UK still treats it like a compliance exercise. That’s why the process feels a little slower here than it does at Tennessee or LSU.

The whole thing’s just stuck back in the fried-bologna era while the rest of the SEC is serving wagyu.

Do you work in this field?

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Something simple as him getting really testy and defensive at the Stein presser tells me something is going on. Jon Hale asked a pretty docile question and Mitch goes off mad and all. When someone acts like that, it's to cover up something whether it's corrupt or just malpractice.

I think it’s both. Mitch should have been canned after BCG.

 

[Kentucky15]

LOOK IT UP! The executive UK AD Rachel Baker is married to JMI Executive Brandon Baker. His Bio mentions her by name!

The entire UK athletics dept is a cesspool of greed and shady contracts! They all need to go!

There you go - they’re probably corrupt. Where is the media? Mitch Barnhart has destroyed UK sports. Now the 30% that stood by him can finally stop pretending he’s a good AD. He’s the worst AD in the history of UK.

 

[Kentucky15]

I ran articles about the JMI through ChatGPT and while that software is dumb in some ways, it usually does a pretty good job disseminating specific information. According to ChatGPT, there isn’t anything that would restrict non-JMI NIL ventures although the new rules that affect every program will make approval for funds a little trickier since there’s more oversight.

None of us —- literally none of us know whether JMI will work, won’t work, somewhere in the middle, etc. If you are saying you know, you’re overplaying your hand. Best we can do is hope for the best. I will say though, anyone who is definitive about this being the deathnail for NIL, please excuse me when I point out your inconsistency the next time you’re complaining about not landing enough studs or top players. It’s all love but you can’t have it both ways —- claim the program is bootstrapped to a knife while also being angry the coach didn’t get all the players you wanted. Pick a lane and be consistent at least.

ChatGTP clearly says signing with JMI is a risk and it could backfire. Only Kentucky is listed as having downsides while everyone else gets a star.

I decided to take a look, and what I saw was a disaster. Not that I believe it just because it said it but I wanted to check after your post. It clearly reports signing with JMI is a huge risk for Kentucky and a risk no one else has.

It reports “It could pay off if JMI grows or they restructure the deal”

nobody is going to sign on with them and they aren’t restructuring anything. Mitch hates pay for play and would rather destroy our programs than deal with it.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

ChatGTP clearly says signing with JMI is a risk and it could backfire. Only Kentucky is listed as having downsides while everyone else gets a star.

ChatGPT will give biased answers time to time as well. Gave me something totally different. Honestly, I don’t think it would matter what any of us say on this. No one knows how it turns out. Could be the worst thing that has ever happened in the history of the universe. Could be the best thing that’s ever happened to the school. Most likely somewhere in that large area in the middle, can’t control it no matter what anyway.

 

[Kentucky15]

I also don’t believe this has anything to do with “breaking rules”. Mitch doesn’t want athletes being paid and the university losing money. He’s hatchet man for the establishment. He wants that deal so the university got/ gets paid before deals are done. This was about not wanting money flying all over without the university stamp.

This is about power and greed. UK wants the power and the money. Others just want to win.

 

[Kentucky15]

ChatGPT will give biased answers time to time as well. Gave me something totally different. Honestly, I don’t think it would matter what any of us say on this. No one knows how it turns out. Could be the worst thing that has ever happened in the history of the universe. Could be the best thing that’s ever happened to the school. Most likely somewhere in that large area in the middle, can’t control it no matter what anyway.

If you put it in there “is Kentucky running a risk with JMI, is JMI as powerful as the others, could this be bad for UK recruiting” it will tell you yes and it likely already has.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

If you put it in there “is Kentucky running a risk with JMI, is JMI as powerful as the others, could this be bad for UK recruiting” it will tell you yes and it likely already has.

Here’s a trick to ChatGPT. If you ask it a question like that, it will presuppose what your preferred answer is. It also tracks your previous questions and answers to determine a response.


Yes — the JMI Sports deal (and the related in-house collective BBNIL Suite) could very well help University of Kentucky (UK) in recruiting — but with a few caveats. Here’s how:





⸻





Why it could be a recruiting advantage


• The JMI agreement gives UK long-term financial and structural stability: the deal is extended through 2040 and valued at roughly $465 million guaranteed, giving the athletic department reliable revenue over the long run.


• BBNIL Suite offers a full-service NIL program to all ~500+ UK student-athletes, including NIL deal generation, brand-building support, content/marketing infrastructure, compliance oversight, and access to a professional-grade studio for content creation.


• From UK’s own leadership perspective, officials believe BBNIL Suite adds a “recruitment advantage” — a tool to attract top talent by promising a more predictable, efficient NIL ecosystem than athletes might get elsewhere or on their own.


• The backing of a well-resourced, experienced NIL and media-rights firm could make UK more attractive relative to schools without that kind of support — particularly for recruits who value off-field opportunities (endorsements, brand-building, marketing exposure).





⸻





What might limit the recruiting boost


• The success of BBNIL Suite in actually delivering high-value NIL deals depends heavily on JMI’s ability to secure sponsors and marketing partners. If JMI fails to generate deals, the NIL promise might underdeliver.


• Some recruits and their agents may still prefer flexibility — the ability to pursue independent NIL opportunities outside a centralized collective. While BBNIL Suite doesn’t allegedly prevent outside deals, the “full-service” angle may not appeal to everyone.


• Recruiting is multifaceted — coaching, playing time, program success, culture, academics, and NIL all matter. NIL support helps, but it’s not a guarantee either.





⸻





Overall — Yes, likely a net positive for recruiting





Given how central NIL has become in college-sports recruiting, having a robust, professionally managed NIL program gives Kentucky a competitive edge — especially among recruits who weigh off-field earning potential heavily. That advantage may be more pronounced for top-tier recruits who expect brand-building and endorsement opportunities in addition to athletic opportunity.





If you like — I can compare how UK’s JMI/BBNIL setup stacks up against 5–10 other major programs nationally (in terms of NIL infrastructure + recruiting attractiveness).

 

[Kentucky15]

Here’s a trick to ChatGPT. If you ask it a question like that, it will presuppose what your preferred answer is. It also tracks your previous questions and answers to determine a response.


Yes — the JMI Sports deal (and the related in-house collective BBNIL Suite) could very well help University of Kentucky (UK) in recruiting — but with a few caveats. Here’s how:





⸻





Why it could be a recruiting advantage


• The JMI agreement gives UK long-term financial and structural stability: the deal is extended through 2040 and valued at roughly $465 million guaranteed, giving the athletic department reliable revenue over the long run.


• BBNIL Suite offers a full-service NIL program to all ~500+ UK student-athletes, including NIL deal generation, brand-building support, content/marketing infrastructure, compliance oversight, and access to a professional-grade studio for content creation.


• From UK’s own leadership perspective, officials believe BBNIL Suite adds a “recruitment advantage” — a tool to attract top talent by promising a more predictable, efficient NIL ecosystem than athletes might get elsewhere or on their own.


• The backing of a well-resourced, experienced NIL and media-rights firm could make UK more attractive relative to schools without that kind of support — particularly for recruits who value off-field opportunities (endorsements, brand-building, marketing exposure).





⸻





What might limit the recruiting boost


• The success of BBNIL Suite in actually delivering high-value NIL deals depends heavily on JMI’s ability to secure sponsors and marketing partners. If JMI fails to generate deals, the NIL promise might underdeliver.


• Some recruits and their agents may still prefer flexibility — the ability to pursue independent NIL opportunities outside a centralized collective. While BBNIL Suite doesn’t allegedly prevent outside deals, the “full-service” angle may not appeal to everyone.


• Recruiting is multifaceted — coaching, playing time, program success, culture, academics, and NIL all matter. NIL support helps, but it’s not a guarantee either.





⸻





Overall — Yes, likely a net positive for recruiting





Given how central NIL has become in college-sports recruiting, having a robust, professionally managed NIL program gives Kentucky a competitive edge — especially among recruits who weigh off-field earning potential heavily. That advantage may be more pronounced for top-tier recruits who expect brand-building and endorsement opportunities in addition to athletic opportunity.





If you like — I can compare how UK’s JMI/BBNIL setup stacks up against 5–10 other major programs nationally (in terms of NIL infrastructure + recruiting attractiveness).

That’s not the way I put it in. I used moderate language I was just telling you if you ask it about the situation relative to the others, the power of JMI, and is / isn’t this likely to backfire, that’s what I gave me and it gave a long list of reasons why. I realize ChatGPT will talk out of both sides, but it seemed very definitive. I asked in positive ways toward JMI, still said Kentucky is the only SEC Program at high risk.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

That’s not the way I put it in. I used moderate language I was just telling you if you ask it about the situation relative to the others, the power of JMI, and is / isn’t this likely to backfire, that’s what I gave me and it gave a long list of reasons why. I realize ChatGPT will talk out of both sides, but it seemed very definitive. I asked in positive ways toward JMI, still said Kentucky is the only SEC Program at high risk.

Right, but I’m showing you something about the algorithm it uses.

When you use the question: “Is it running risk?”, it is likely to generate an affirmative answer. In response I asked the exact opposite question on purpose. I asked “Will it help recruiting?” It also generated an affirmative answer. This is one of those sleazy things about AI. When you use ChatGPT, you’re best to clear your full history and remove all conversations, then ask a fully neutral question like this:

“Can you provide a detailed analysis of the NIL deal outlined in [cited article] and explain all of the prospective pros and cons, strengths and weaknesses?”

 

[Kentucky15]

Right, but I’m showing you something about the algorithm it uses.

When you use the question: “Is it running risk?”, it is likely to generate an affirmative answer. In response I asked the exact opposite question on purpose. I asked “Will it help recruiting?” It also generated an affirmative answer. This is one of those sleazy things about AI. When you use ChatGPT, you’re best to clear your full history and remove all conversations, then ask a fully neutral question like this:

“Can you provide a detailed analysis of the NIL deal outlined in [cited article] and explain all of the prospective pros and cons, strengths and weaknesses?”

I understand what I’m saying is I used neutral language for the most part. I just didn’t post the specific language I used I was explaining what I was looking for. I asked pros and cons and what are the weaknesses of either. I’m just telling y’all what I was interested in. I worded it poorly.

I don’t think we make it through it. This is Barnhart and Kentucky sacrificing our athletics to keep control and make money. He’s been doing this in one form or another his entire tenure.

Did people not notice Barnhart jumping up and down beating Auburn in a loosing season? Anywhere else he wouldn’t be happy he’d be loosing his job. He’s a gaslighter who’s engineered a system at UK to maintain his job. That president isn’t going to fire him and he’s tried hard for years to convince people 6-6 is a good record, even when Vandy and Indiana are beating Bama and making playoff runs. He’s a joke. If 6-6 is good, or even 5-7 is good enough to keep coaches, Mitch stayed employed. If we demand more he doesn’t.

 

[Verbal Kint II]

Couldn't agree more.

None of you know the first thing about what JMI is doing. Speculating about things you have no idea of just to muddy the waters for daddy Matt.

Since we’re screwed for the next 15 years yall should find a new team.

Here’s a trick to ChatGPT. If you ask it a question like that, it will presuppose what your preferred answer is. It also tracks your previous questions and answers to determine a response.


Yes — the JMI Sports deal (and the related in-house collective BBNIL Suite) could very well help University of Kentucky (UK) in recruiting — but with a few caveats. Here’s how:





⸻





Why it could be a recruiting advantage


• The JMI agreement gives UK long-term financial and structural stability: the deal is extended through 2040 and valued at roughly $465 million guaranteed, giving the athletic department reliable revenue over the long run.


• BBNIL Suite offers a full-service NIL program to all ~500+ UK student-athletes, including NIL deal generation, brand-building support, content/marketing infrastructure, compliance oversight, and access to a professional-grade studio for content creation.


• From UK’s own leadership perspective, officials believe BBNIL Suite adds a “recruitment advantage” — a tool to attract top talent by promising a more predictable, efficient NIL ecosystem than athletes might get elsewhere or on their own.


• The backing of a well-resourced, experienced NIL and media-rights firm could make UK more attractive relative to schools without that kind of support — particularly for recruits who value off-field opportunities (endorsements, brand-building, marketing exposure).





⸻





What might limit the recruiting boost


• The success of BBNIL Suite in actually delivering high-value NIL deals depends heavily on JMI’s ability to secure sponsors and marketing partners. If JMI fails to generate deals, the NIL promise might underdeliver.


• Some recruits and their agents may still prefer flexibility — the ability to pursue independent NIL opportunities outside a centralized collective. While BBNIL Suite doesn’t allegedly prevent outside deals, the “full-service” angle may not appeal to everyone.


• Recruiting is multifaceted — coaching, playing time, program success, culture, academics, and NIL all matter. NIL support helps, but it’s not a guarantee either.





⸻





Overall — Yes, likely a net positive for recruiting





Given how central NIL has become in college-sports recruiting, having a robust, professionally managed NIL program gives Kentucky a competitive edge — especially among recruits who weigh off-field earning potential heavily. That advantage may be more pronounced for top-tier recruits who expect brand-building and endorsement opportunities in addition to athletic opportunity.





If you like — I can compare how UK’s JMI/BBNIL setup stacks up against 5–10 other major programs nationally (in terms of NIL infrastructure + recruiting attractiveness).

Who’s gonna tell them that athletes and agents can still pursue independent NIL opportunities? Someone needs to because more of the lies and false information stem from the premise that they can’t.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

None of you know the first thing about what JMI is doing. Speculating about things you have no idea of just to muddy the waters for daddy Matt.

Since we’re screwed for the next 15 years yall should

Who’s gonna tell them that athletes and agents can still pursue independent NIL opportunities? Someone needs to because more of the lies and false information stem from the premise that they can’t.

I mean it literally says verbatim that BBNIL suite doesn’t prevent outside deals. Of course it still has to vetted through the clearinghouse, but everything does. I’m not a lawyer and I don’t play one on tv but I think the overreaction is wild when no one knows how this deal will turn out.

 

[Verbal Kint II]

I understand what I’m saying is I used neutral language for the most part. I just didn’t post the specific language I used I was explaining what I was looking for. I asked pros and cons and what are the weaknesses of either. I’m just telling y’all what I was interested in. I worded it poorly.

I don’t think we make it through it. This is Barnhart and Kentucky sacrificing our athletics to keep control and make money. He’s been doing this in one form or another his entire tenure.

Did people not notice Barnhart jumping up and down beating Auburn in a loosing season? Anywhere else he wouldn’t be happy he’d be loosing his job. He’s a gaslighter who’s engineered a system at UK to maintain his job. That president isn’t going to fire him and he’s tried hard for years to convince people 6-6 is a good record, even when Vandy and Indiana are beating Bama and making playoff runs. He’s a joke. If 6-6 is good, or even 5-7 is good enough to keep coaches, Mitch stayed employed. If we demand more he doesn’t.

This is you lying and being clueless as always. This is fake fans attacking the program to serve their agenda. Did anyone notice the athletics director celebrating the accomplishments of players and coaches in his program that he knows personally. What a joke you are. Should he have been mad that UK won like agenda driven frauds like you? Stop telling on yourself. You’re the joke clueless fraud.

 

[Verbal Kint II]

I mean it literally says verbatim that BBNIL suite doesn’t prevent outside deals. Of course it still has to vetted through the clearinghouse, but everything does. I’m not a lawyer and I don’t play one on tv but I think the overreaction is wild when no one knows how this deal will turn out.

Weird that ChatGPT knows that it knows BBNIL suite doesn’t prevent outside deals but cited that as a possible negative.

On a side note, I was in a fantasy football with a guy who used ChatGPT to pick his players and he came in 2nd to last.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Weird that ChatGPT knows that it knows BBNIL suite doesn’t prevent outside deals but cited that as a possible negative.

On a side note, I was in a fantasy football with a guy who used ChatGPT to pick his players and he came in 2nd to last.

It’s a great tool IF you are unbelievably specific and generic. If it gets wind of what you want, it’ll tickle your ears. Working those softwares is a skill unto itself.

 

[UKortho]

Rupp’s Rafters (the message board on CatsIllustrated) is considered a great place for UK-related news and discussion for a few reasons:

1. It’s extremely fast

Fans on Rupp’s Rafters often post information before local media outlets pick it up. Because thousands of Kentucky fans are watching recruiting, coaching, and team news constantly, stories break there very quickly.

2. Large, active community

It’s one of the busiest college-sports message boards in the country. High traffic means:
• Lots of perspectives
• Rumors get checked or debunked quickly
• You get real-time reactions to games, recruiting, and coaching news

3. Inside sources

Many posters have legitimate connections—former players, parents, boosters, media contacts, or people around the program. While some posts are just speculation, there’s often real insider info mixed in.

4. Deep UK focus

Unlike ESPN or national outlets, Rupp’s Rafters is 100% Kentucky-centric, so you get:
• Recruiting nuggets
• Staff updates
• Practice talk
• Roster movement
• Local community chatter
—things bigger outlets don’t cover as closely.

5. Fans report what they see/hear

People living near Lexington or around the program often share things they’ve personally seen (e.g., players at workouts, visitors on campus, conversations with coaches, etc.). This adds extra layers of info you don’t get on mainstream sites.

 

[I’m The Village Idiot]

Rupp’s Rafters (the message board on CatsIllustrated) is considered a great place for UK-related news and discussion for a few reasons:

1. It’s extremely fast

Fans on Rupp’s Rafters often post information before local media outlets pick it up. Because thousands of Kentucky fans are watching recruiting, coaching, and team news constantly, stories break there very quickly.

2. Large, active community

It’s one of the busiest college-sports message boards in the country. High traffic means:
• Lots of perspectives
• Rumors get checked or debunked quickly
• You get real-time reactions to games, recruiting, and coaching news

3. Inside sources

Many posters have legitimate connections—former players, parents, boosters, media contacts, or people around the program. While some posts are just speculation, there’s often real insider info mixed in.

4. Deep UK focus

Unlike ESPN or national outlets, Rupp’s Rafters is 100% Kentucky-centric, so you get:
• Recruiting nuggets
• Staff updates
• Practice talk
• Roster movement
• Local community chatter
—things bigger outlets don’t cover as closely.

5. Fans report what they see/hear

People living near Lexington or around the program often share things they’ve personally seen (e.g., players at workouts, visitors on campus, conversations with coaches, etc.). This adds extra layers of info you don’t get on mainstream sites.

We sure the hell have a lot of “inside sources”. I’d say it nailed that one.

 

[Jeauxboo]

None of you know the first thing about what JMI is doing. Speculating about things you have no idea of just to muddy the waters for daddy Matt.

Since we’re screwed for the next 15 years yall should find a new team.

Who’s gonna tell them that athletes and agents can still pursue independent NIL opportunities? Someone needs to because more of the lies and false information stem from the premise that they can’t.

At the end of the day the JMI deal may slow things down some but still has the potential to provide a massive amount of cash. The worry is having coaches that spend wisely. This is where the need for a quality GM type talent evaluator comes in. Right now I think we're all in shock with what is playing out on the hardwood.

 

[20MRoster]

A non sequitur tangent but --- ChatGPT and similar generative AI tools are nothing but candy waved in front of the bottom 30% to make them feel relevant. Oh, and for middle school kids to cheat on busywork.

Remember that these models are trained on the dregs of the internet (Reddit etc).

If any of you are work at or own a company that utilizes generative AI for any professional work from the top 3 or so levels of the org chart, I'm genuinely curious to know if it actually provides any value.

Now, to comment on the actual topic -- I have no idea how NIL works, nor do I want to know, but if this means our ceiling of player is Otega effing Oweh until 2040, then this program is done. That is probably the most depressing thing I can think of -- having to watch someone like that "lead" the team every year.