Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy had a firm message for his players two weeks ahead of the season — no more negotiations on current NIL deals until after December.
What did Mike Gundy say about “non-negotiable” NIL agreements, and why did he say it?
Mike Gundy Finds Current NIL Landscape ‘Intriguing’
Like the rest of college athletics, Gundy is waiting for U.S. District County Judge Claudia Wilkens to complete an NCAA Antitrust Settlement allowing colleges to directly compensate athletes.
The proposed settlement includes almost $2.8 billion to be distributed to current and former players, as well as allowing Division I (FBS/FCS) programs to directly pay players for NIL deals.
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With everything up in the air right now, Gundy can only wait as Wilkens mulls over the details of the settlement. One thing is certain — a settlement is coming. And Gundy seems to look forward to unleashing the Pokes’ financial war chest to acquire talent.
“All of this is pretty intriguing right now,” Gundy said in a media scrum over the weekend. “I think it’s going to change again in less than two years, but it is what it is for now. It’s very intriguing. It’s the same thing I mentioned the other day — everybody is waiting to see if (Wilkens) signs off on this settlement.
“Then we’ll have parameters, and we can start attacking how to distribute $20 million amongst 105 people. It’s very interesting to even think about that. It’s almost unfathomable. That part is intriguing and somewhat fun to think of different ways you can do it.
“Right now, we’re just riding the wave to see if (Wilkens) signs off on that settlement. The good news is, for the next five months, we can just play football.”
Gundy Declares ‘All Negotiation Is History’
Gundy also declared he would not restructure any current NIL deals during the 2024 season with a strong message for his players and their agents.
“‘It’s out.’ That’s what I told the players,” Gundy said. “There’s no negotiating now. (Transfer) portal is over. All negotiation is history. Now we’re playing football … Just coaching and playing football.
“You know, the business side of what we do now is we have to have those conversations with them. Tell your agent to quit calling us and asking us for money. It’s non-negotiable now. Start again in December.”
It’s a harsh stance, but a reasonable conclusion with the 2024 season just a stone’s throw away. Clearing his schedule away from the negotiating table has made time for the most important aspect of Gundy’s job — winning games.
“Now we’re able to direct ourselves just at football, and that part is fun. There’s been so much other stuff going on that it’s been hard to focus on football.”
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