The Kentucky Wildcats, coached by Mark Pope, recently had their NIL payroll budget revealed, with several fans reacting to it. On Thursday, Oct. 16, @br_hoops on Instagram shared a carousel post, showcasing that the Wildcats’ NIL budget for the upcoming college basketball season is a hefty $22 million.
With this, the Wildcats presumably possess one of the highest NIL budgets in all of the collegiate hoops scene. Coach Pope is set to enter his second stint at the helm of Kentucky’s coaching staff in the next campaign and will look to deliver a national championship to the program.
“Kentucky’s NIL budget is crazy😳. The Wildcats NIL payroll for this year’s roster is $22 million, per the Herald-Leader,” @br_hoops on Instagram captioned with an emoji.
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However, college basketball fans are unfazed by Pope and the Wildcats’ hefty budget.
“Still won’t make the Elite Eight,” one user claimed with a laughing emoji.
“That’s a lot for the fifth best team in the SEC,” another user said.
“All this just to not even make a Sweet 16,” another shared.
“Lowkey not buying that ’cause if so, that’s a way overpaid roster,” a user commented with a couple of laughing emojis.
Some users defended the budget Kentucky put into NIL opportunities for players with regard to how other programs would have used it.
“People commenting like if their school had that much to spend, they wouldn’t,” a user posted.
“‘OMG, that’s crazy, natty or bust!!!,’ Yeah, that’s been the standard, nothing new here. If you’re broke, say that,” another user explained.
“Lot of fans of bum teams with zero banners in here, silence peasants,” a user pointed out.
The Wildcats finished the recently-concluded 2024-25 season with an overall record of 24-12 (10-8 SEC). Coach Pope and company made it all the way to the Sweet 16 of the 2025 national tournament, where they were beaten by their rivals, the Tennessee Volunteers, 78-65. Kentucky will aim for a deeper run in postseason play next time out.
Read More: Duke Basketball Recruiting: Jon Scheyer In Heated Race With Kentucky, Mark Pope To Secure Commitment From 5-Star Recruit
Otega Oweh, Jaland Lowe, and Jayden Quaintance Are Set To Lead The 2025-26 Kentucky Wildcats
Among those who will be taking a significant chunk of the Kentucky Wildcats’ 2025-26 NIL budget are returning guard Otega Oweh and standout transfers Jaland Lowe and Jayden Quaintance.
Oweh is entering his fourth year after leading the Wildcats in scoring average last season, while Lowe and Quaintance are two of Kentucky’s top transfer portal recruits with impressive individual success prior to joining the team.
Also Read: Mark Pope’s Addition of Otega Oweh Leaves Question Marks Over Top Kentucky Guard from Last Season
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