Mark Stoops addresses positives, concerns about NIL for Kentucky football

Kentucky’s Mark Stoops was the latest head coach to share his thoughts on NIL. It’s an issue that has continued to affect college programs across the country with his Wildcat team being no exception. While he talked about the positives at SEC Media Days in Atlanta, Stoops also shared concerns that have been echoed across the NCAA.

First, he wanted to protect the idea of what it means for players, especially his. It’s something Stoops says benefits the Wildcat team as much as it does the Wildcat brand.

“There’s so much good. It’s a complex issue,” said Stoops. “There’s a lot of smart people trying to work it out. I think there’s a lot of good to it with the players that are here with me. (They’ve) helped build the brand of Kentucky football and (are) benefitting from name, image and likeness. I think we all support that and want that to be a part of it.”

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From there, though, he further questioned where the idea of NIL is headed. It’s still unclear at times with what’s a go and what’s a no with players on campus and recruitments. Stoops knows the concern level of SEC coaches across the league and thinks so much of it would be fixed if the rules were better defined.

“I think there’s also concern. I haven’t listened to everyone’s comments but I know I’ve been in meetings and everybody’s concerned in the SEC as a head coach with pay for play, collectives, and paying players out of high school,” Stoops said. “We’re all a little bit concerned about the sustainability of that and the future of that. I think that’s where the concern comes it. What is pay for play and what’s legal?”

Mark Stoops was not the first coach to be asked this question in Atlanta. He will not be the last either. With the money the SEC will continue to bring in on the gridiron, NIL will arguable affect them as much as any other conference in the nation. With Kentucky continuing their consistent push in the SEC East, it’s an issue that will continue to impact them moving forward.