JMI Sports & NIL Issue

Dec 23, 2022
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This makes a lot of sense. So players are restricted from making deals that could possibly in some way conflict with the business interests of a primary sponsor. A lot of grey area here where the benefit of the doubt likely goes to the big $ sponsor.

Also, side deals allowed but have to be negotiated on their own?

Both of these, if not the same everywhere else, could be deal breakers for top NIL earners.
Lies being accepted as fact with no research, just some guy on a message board saying it. The narrative must be protected at all costs.
 

Woodrow24

Heisman
Dec 21, 2015
5,857
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False, it’s literally against state law to prohibit a legal NIL deal. Show me where JMI prohibits these deals? They control UKs trademark and can prohibit athletes from using UK marks and logos like every other school can, they cannot prevent these deals. The purpose of BBNIL Suite is for deals with UKs partners using UK trademarks. You’re gonna say that other schools let athletes use their marks for free and that’s false too. They all legally required to protect their trademarks and won’t let athletes use their logos without a licensing agreement.
A lot of us don’t know what’s right or wrong about what’s being put out there publicly. Some of us old guys don’t have a lot of different social media accounts like the young guys on this board have too. I had no idea Matt jones and JMI were feuding till it got put on this board.
 
Dec 23, 2022
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A lot of us don’t know what’s right or wrong about what’s being put out there publicly. Some of us old guys don’t have a lot of different social media accounts like the young guys on this board have too. I had no idea Matt jones and JMI were feuding till it got put on this board.
He has so much control. He now has most of the fanbase attacking the program and JMI. They can’t really say why, they just know JMI bad and it’s the #1 issue in BBN right now.
 
Jul 6, 2025
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Central bank is a JMI “partner” No UK player that receives NIL from JMI or UK funds can sign a deal with a competing entity. If a student athlete doesn’t use JMI they have to negotiate NIL deals on their own. The contracts that are signed with JMI (Paul Miller Ford, Central Bank, and others) are bound to UK because UK has a contract with JM. This is creating a legally tangled quandary.

If Paul Miller Ford and Central Bank each contribute $1 million then EVERY UK basketball player receiving NIL from UK is legally bound to Paul Miller Ford and central bank. It becomes a quandary or convoluted mess when Central Bank has a contract for banking and financial services. Can a player sign a side deal with Visa as this is a financial service that could be competing with central bank. Can Otega Oweh sign a deal with oh, oh, oh O’Reilly auto parts. Paul Miller Ford sells autos, auto parts and auto services.

The players agents attempt to get the players as many side deals as possible. The contract with JMI causes additional roadblocks that agents and players don’t want to deal with. I realize this is an oversimplification of what is happening and there are other problems as well Not limited to the extra layer of people and red tape to go through to obtain the funding.

This is not accurate. This restriction was an egregiously bad addition to the state law that Mitch pushed. Problem is, we're the only one actually doing it this way.

Imo that's why he was so pissed at john hale and hammered home that "we aren't going to break the rules", when that wasn't even part of the question.

Now I'm sure jmi wanted mitch to push this language, since it was a copy from their trademark stuff, but that's all mostly Mitch.
 
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Dec 23, 2022
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JMI sucks at media, they will suck at NIL. Everyone knows it.

You’re fighting a losing battle. Nobody is onboard with this arrangement.
I gave if trying to change the minds of mindless sheep years ago. I will correct the lies when you post them tho.
 

Ky_Bred_Cat

All-Conference
Dec 28, 2014
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Lies being accepted as fact with no research, just some guy on a message board saying it. The narrative must be protected at all costs.
You have yet to explain your position and lay out with specificity how JMI compares to the other two agencies and how it relates to what choices players are left with. You are only speaking in generalities.

You also haven't revealed what it is that has you so upset with Matt Jones. Do you have financial interests in play here?

And btw I am no fan of Matt Jones.
 
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Ky_Bred_Cat

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Dec 28, 2014
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JMI sucks at media, they will suck at NIL. Everyone knows it.

You’re fighting a losing battle. Nobody is onboard with this arrangement.
I don't know anything about the effectiveness of JMI at what they do except that the fan experience at UK leaves a LOT to be desired. But hiring a national marketing company based out of California it seems like what you will get is a templated, non-customized, rubber stamped product.
 

Joerupp1

Freshman
Oct 3, 2025
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False, it’s literally against state law to prohibit a legal NIL deal. Show me where JMI prohibits these deals? They control UKs trademark and can prohibit athletes from using UK marks and logos like every other school can, they cannot prevent these deals. The purpose of BBNIL Suite is for deals with UKs partners using UK trademarks. You’re gonna say that other schools let athletes use their marks for free and that’s false too. They all legally required to protect their trademarks and won’t let athletes use their logos without a licensing agreement.
The contract with JMI goes beyond protecting Kentucky’s proprietary rights. There’s more to the contract, than preventing a player from wearing a UK jersey while filming a commercial or making a personal appearance. The contract as it currently stands is lopsided. The scales are tipped to JMI and its contractual partners. The question at this point is if or when the contract will be amended. Most likely the contract will be amended, and it will be done without much fan fair and public notice.

There is no Kentucky revised statute that allows anyone to sign conflicting contracts. An individual cannot sell their house to two different parties. A student athlete cannot sign an exclusive NIL deal with Hardee’s and McDonald’s.
 
Last edited:
Jul 6, 2025
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Central bank is a JMI “partner” No UK player that receives NIL from JMI or UK funds can sign a deal with a competing entity. If a student athlete doesn’t use JMI they have to negotiate NIL deals on their own. The contracts that are signed with JMI (Paul Miller Ford, Central Bank, and others) are bound to UK because UK has a contract with JM. This is creating a legally tangled quandary.

If Paul Miller Ford and Central Bank each contribute $1 million then EVERY UK basketball player receiving NIL from UK is legally bound to Paul Miller Ford and central bank. It becomes a quandary or convoluted mess when Central Bank has a contract for banking and financial services. Can a player sign a side deal with Visa as this is a financial service that could be competing with central bank. Can Otega Oweh sign a deal with oh, oh, oh O’Reilly auto parts. Paul Miller Ford sells autos, auto parts and auto services.

The players agents attempt to get the players as many side deals as possible. The contract with JMI causes additional roadblocks that agents and players don’t want to deal with. I realize this is an oversimplification of what is happening and there are other problems as well Not limited to the extra layer of people and red tape to go through to obtain the funding.

This is THE problem. It's source is the school's, through Mitch, original stance on nil. He pushed it through the legislature with this language.

UK has so many partnerships, it's exponentially more difficult to earn significant nil income above the initial nil collective payment. Its that way regardless of which collective generates the deal because it all funnels through jmi for approval.

I voiced my concern on this board over this provision when it was just part of compliance and again when it was made part of the law (that only we follow).

It's Mitch's creation and is meant to make earning additional nil so difficult that it amounts to impossible. Its atrocious and he should be fired asap.
 
Apr 14, 2019
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JMI has stated they are not a GM making player or amount of payment decisions. They are to facilitate deals and review all deals for NILGo compliance.
I think that is the point of this whole contract. Barnhart is the only AD worried about breaking the rules. Whether that is admirable or not, does it put us at disadvantage somehow finalizing contracts?
 

fisherscatfan

All-Conference
Jan 17, 2010
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I think that is the point of this whole contract. Barnhart is the only AD worried about breaking the rules. Whether that is admirable or not, does it put us at disadvantage somehow finalizing contracts?
The inference is JMI is approving from a compliance function and other schools outside collectives are operating more aggressively, even being suggested they are bypassing NILGo. Thus the connection with Mitch saying we aren’t going to break the rules. Is there really going to be any enforcement issues given everyone’s fear of litigation and congressional action?
 

Joerupp1

Freshman
Oct 3, 2025
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I don't know anything about the effectiveness of JMI at what they do except that the fan experience at UK leaves a LOT to be desired. But hiring a national marketing company based out of California it seems like what you will get is a templated, non-customized, rubber stamped product.
JMI was founded by Eric Judson and John Moores. Judson is a former minor league, baseball player and Moores, tech guy, is the former owner of the San Diego Padres. Judson is much more than a former jock. He received his masters degree from San Diego State and was in charge of the development of Petco Park. He is somewhat famous for saying, “We kept on saying, ‘Don’t give us Dodger blue, OK? We don’twant to be Dodger blue,’ ”. A reference to the seats in Petco, it drove the manufacturers crazy.
He’s considered to be exceptionally intelligent, detailed oriented, and driven. I don’t have a dog in this fight other than being a UK fan. JMI has deals with other major colleges UCLA and Georgia as examples. However, I don’t think those contracts include NIL.
 

Eagles_Ball_69

All-Conference
Dec 19, 2003
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There was a long in depth thread about this recently. One poster in particular was adamant the NIL deal is a good one and also that Matt Jones was sabotaging it for personal business reasons.

This poster seemed to know a lot about the deal and very sternly defended it. Clearly this person has a personal stake in NIL working. Could this poster be yet another Athletic Dept lurker attempting to influence a narrative?

As for Matt Jones, he drives me nuts but unquestionably is very smart and knows business, especially UK sports-related. My hunch, based on what I've learned so far, is that Matt is likely right about this situation. If so, this is devastating to our program.
What possible personal business reason could Matt have for "sabotaging" this? I can't seem to make that connection.
 

Jeauxboo

Redshirt
Jan 30, 2023
14
29
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Stop the spin when I can back up everything I say. You can’t because you’re lying trash. JMI controls UKs in house NIL BBNIL Suite which absorbed club blue. You all lie and claim JMI controls all of UKs NIL because you’re frauds fighting Matt Jones war. 109% of this comes from Matt Jones. He can sell you uneducated losers any lie because you’re too lazy to do basic research
JMI can pitch NIL opportunities to athletes, build deals that pair corporate partners + UK athletes, handle compliance paperwork, contract flow, payments and also provide a marketplace that makes NIL easier. They can't force athletes to sign with their platform, or have any exclusivity rights over NIL activity.
 
Jul 30, 2024
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What possible personal business reason could Matt have for "sabotaging" this? I can't seem to make that connection.
Matt has a very poor relationship with JMI —- it has been a very long time issue and nasty relationship, which has resulted in KSR being unable to record shows within JMI-controlled venues. There’s also a lot of bad blood from their radio broadcast relations. Finally, Matt admitted when the JMI deal was contractually inked, Matt expressed frustration that one of his own business partners had a better NIL structure and vocalized his disgust with Barnhart choosing JMI. There’s a lot more to it, but that’s the thumbnail version.
 
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preston-lemasterpiece

All-Conference
Apr 15, 2025
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Matt has a very poor relationship with JMI —- it has been a very long time issue and nasty relationship, which has resulted in KSR being unable to record shows within JMI-controlled venues. There’s also a lot of bad blood related to radio broadcast relations. Finally, Matt admitted when the JMI deal was contractually inked, Matt expressed frustration that one of his own business partners had a better NIL structure and vocalized his disgust with Barnhart choosing JMI. There’s a lot more to it, but that’s the thumbnail version.
Thanks for sharing that. I wasn't aware of MJ's personal stake in this. Illuminating.
 

fisherscatfan

All-Conference
Jan 17, 2010
507
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What possible personal business reason could Matt have for "sabotaging" this? I can't seem to make that connection.
I think JMI has sent him communications regarding logos, brands, stipulations for player access etc. that wasn’t an issue for him before JMI.
 
Mar 4, 2025
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I admittedly know little about JMI's involvement outside of what is easily accessible on google and JMI's website. I just have a simple question for anyone in the know...

If (and I say if) the structure of the deal with JMI and their involvement in securing and approving NIL for UK players is the greatest thing since sliced bread, AND we have more NIL money available than every other school, why can we not land a single recruit this cycle? Can't we just overpay for say Stokes way more than anyone else can come close to and get a commitment? And if we can't, what about JMI prevents us from doing that?
 
Jul 30, 2024
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Thanks for sharing that. I wasn't aware of MJ's personal stake in this. Illuminating.
Yep. That’s why this is an extremely difficult situation to have certainty with. You have people looking through, yet again, a good guy/bad guy lens and not really acknowledging that none of us know. It’s a pointless debate until time passes.
 

Joerupp1

Freshman
Oct 3, 2025
44
64
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The inference is JMI is approving from a compliance function and other schools outside collectives are operating more aggressively, even being suggested they are bypassing NILGo. Thus the connection with Mitch saying we aren’t going to break the rules. Is there really going to be any enforcement issues given everyone’s fear of litigation and congressional action?
I don’t know if JMI is approving or recommending. I think it falls more on the recommending side, but the recommendations have never been denied or overridden. JMI is protecting: JMI the investors and UK. The “student athlete“ is it the end of this list.
The University of Kentucky is using JMI as a compliance shield and JMI is following NCAA regulations to avoid breaking its fiduciary responsibility to Kentucky. When the courts paved the way for NIL UK began working on a compliance program. This led them to working with JMI and reaching the contract that we currently have.
At the same time, the courts paved the way for NIL, University of Tennessee said “woo hoo hold my beer”. The rest of college athletics followed suit and here we are.
I don’t think JMI or the University of Kentucky is doing anything illegal. I think everyone is trying to follow the rules and regulations. But, with all of these entities now being combined, it has turned into a Cabal and no one can control it. At the same time, no one else is trying to follow NCAA rules and regulations. And, the NCAA isn’t doing anything about it.
 

fisherscatfan

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Jan 17, 2010
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I don’t know if JMI is approving or recommending. I think it falls more on the recommending side, but the recommendations have never been denied or overridden. JMI is protecting: JMI the investors and UK. The “student athlete“ is it the end of this list.
The University of Kentucky is using JMI as a compliance shield and JMI is following NCAA regulations to avoid breaking its fiduciary responsibility to Kentucky. When the courts paved the way for NIL UK began working on a compliance program. This led them to working with JMI and reaching the contract that we currently have.
At the same time, the courts paved the way for NIL, University of Tennessee said “woo hoo hold my beer”. The rest of college athletics followed suit and here we are.
I don’t think JMI or the University of Kentucky is doing anything illegal. I think everyone is trying to follow the rules and regulations. But, with all of these entities now being combined, it has turned into a Cabal and no one can control it. At the same time, no one else is trying to follow NCAA rules and regulations. And, the NCAA isn’t doing anything about it.
Isn’t the NIL rule making up to the College Sports Commission? The same Commission created by the anti-trust settlement out of greater litigation fears. Does anyone really think short of anti-trust legislation to support colleges there will be any real limitations enforced on the collectives/schools that operate any way they want?
 

sefus12

Heisman
Dec 22, 2007
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I’ve thought that UK is simply getting out-bid for the top recruits for a while now, but I may have been incorrect in assuming Pope/staff set a “max amount” they were willing to pay for a given recruit and other schools simply went above that amount. But maybe it was JMI who wouldn’t let Pope pay what he wanted for a specific recruit.

You gotta think about the best of the best as luxury items. They are probably going to be sold for some percentage above market value as there are so few of them available.

If JMI is doing anything to hold UK/Pope back, it needs to be addressed. No idea who can address that or what legal options there are, but this seems, at this point, to be a big negative for UK in the NIL era.
 

Joerupp1

Freshman
Oct 3, 2025
44
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Isn’t the NIL rule making up to the College Sports Commission? The same Commission created by the anti-trust settlement out of greater litigation fears. Does anyone really think short of anti-trust legislation to support colleges there will be any real limitations enforced on the collectives/schools that operate any way they want?
The NCAA has rules in place, but do those rules comply with the new court orders. At present collectives clearly Violate those NCAA rules. However, nothing is being done to prevent them. In another thread Morg hits on our problem and what I’ve been politely trying to say. While I won’t be as hard on brainfart as Morg, I’m not going to say: “He ain’t right”.
 
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Vismund

All-American
Mar 30, 2007
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I gave if trying to change the minds of mindless sheep years ago. I will correct the lies when you post them tho.

Assuming no other rumor about our deal with JMI is true, would you at least consider how incredibly shady the link between Rachel Baker (executive assistant AD) and Brandon Baker (executive at JMI) is a MASSIVE conflict of interest?

And why do the terms seem so incredibly skewed towards JMI? Did Notre Dame sign over NIL in their deal? Leave it open for the term to go up to 25 years?

This whole ordeal stinks and Mitchs bristly responses make it clear he knows it was a horse **** decision.
 
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Jul 6, 2025
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The NCAA has rules in place, but do those rules comply with the new court orders. At present collectives clearly Violate those NCAA rules. However, nothing is being done to prevent them. In another thread Morg hits on our problem and what I’ve been politely trying to say. While I won’t be as hard on brainfart as Morg, I’m not going to say: “He ain’t right”.

There were anti pay for play rules from the beginning but no one follows those either, including us.

The problem is we're the only notable school that enforces this stupid rule requiring any deal to be clear of any potential conflict. That rules exists in our state because Mitch asked for it.

Agents are not going to steer their players anywhere that potential income has a limit when we're the only one with said limit.

Again, the whole thing is intended to make these extra deals so tedious it amounts to an obstacle not worth climbing. Its working, except in a way only Mitch didn't foresee, which is players going elsewhere.

All that said, Pope's recruiting sucked before that was inked. So its a problem, just not the only problem.
 
Jul 30, 2024
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Assuming no other rumor about our deal with JMI is true, would you at least consider how incredibly shady the link between Rachel Baker (executive assistant AD) and Brandon Baker (executive at JMI) is a MASSIVE conflict of interest?

And why do the terms seem so incredibly skewed towards JMI? Did Notre Dame sign over NIL in their deal? Leave it open for the term to go up to 25 years?

This whole ordeal stinks and Mitchs bristly responses make it clear he knows it was a horse **** decision.
Not directed to me but I’ll say, yes, conflict of interest. Matt Jones, the primary voice out here peppering the deal with as much salt and vinegar as possible, also operates from a conflict of interest. No one knows how this deal will work out, so why not just hope for the best?
 

WilmoreCat

All-Conference
Nov 18, 2005
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He has so much control. He now has most of the fanbase attacking the program and JMI. They can’t really say why, they just know JMI bad and it’s the #1 issue in BBN right now.
Are you a JMI employe ?

it sure looks like you’re running cover for them.
 
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Vismund

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Not directed to me but I’ll say, yes, conflict of interest. Matt Jones, the primary voice out here peppering the deal with as much salt and vinegar as possible, also operates from a conflict of interest. No one knows how this deal will work out, so why not just hope for the best?

Who said anything about Matt Jones? Why do you JMI white knights keep bringing him up?

Every UK sports reporter I follow is digging in on this now that we are fumbling basketball recruiting and we are all collectively holding our breath for football. This isn't some one man brigade against a bad deal.

Hell, the original tweet announcing the extension back in June was full of negative comments with the same complaints we see today.
 
Jul 30, 2024
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Who said anything about Matt Jones? Why do you JMI white knights keep bringing him up?

Every UK sports reporter I follow is digging in on this now that we are fumbling basketball recruiting and we are all collectively holding our breath for football. This isn't some one man brigade against a bad deal.

Hell, the original tweet announcing the extension back in June was full of negative comments with the same complaints we see today.
I’m not a JMI white knight by any stretch. I think you may be misunderstanding my view. I’m saying no one on either side knows the quality of the deal.
 

Vismund

All-American
Mar 30, 2007
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I’m not a JMI white knight by any stretch. I think you may be misunderstanding my view. I’m saying no one on either side knows the quality of the deal.

I'll be honest, I thought this was Verbal I was responding to, my bad. I still contend that signing a half billion dollar deal that, for better or worse, locks us into a relationship with JMI for as much as a quarter century knowing you have a conflict of interest in place is an awful decision.

Now, couple that with Mitchs penchant for making horrible contracts (man wouldn't know what leverage was if you pinned him with an anvil) and you can see why UK fans are suspicious.

Also doesn't help that our two flagship sports are completely shitting their pants right now, but that's a different issue.
 

RobEStacy

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May 21, 2007
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mdluk1

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Some good stuff in there... And kinda of what we had though all along. Suprising they mention Pope losing his emotions in some of these negotiations... Get him a GM, and keep him out of the negotiating then.
Sounds like plenty of blame to go around.
 

mdluk1

All-Conference
Oct 28, 2007
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Maybe our poor start will make pope realize we need a stud to win at this level. And he will open the checkbook.
 

rick64

Heisman
Jan 25, 2007
24,051
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Some good stuff in there... And kinda of what we had though all along. Suprising they mention Pope losing his emotions in some of these negotiations... Get him a GM, and keep him out of the negotiating then.
Absolutely men’s basketball needs a GM. Football is getting one.