The Gold Standard: Kentucky Reportedly Has A $22 Million NIL Roster In Basketball This Year, 'Likely' The Highest In The Sport. The Way It Should Be

[Source] - “The payroll number for the UK basketball team this season is around $22 million, the Herald-Leader has been told,” Ben Roberts wrote in a piece published Thursday morning. “That was the number as of the finalization of the House settlement, which set guidelines for what constitutes legal payments to players moving forward, so it’s likely the collective total for the Cats will rise with any legitimate name, image and likeness deals that come their way during the 2025-26 season.”

I don't think people should be shocked at the amount of money in college sports anymore. It's past that point, especially with every report saying it was insane this offseason

“It just became a massive bidding war among everybody,” another source added.

And you know what? Good. I don't care if donors are spending $50 million a basketball team at Kentucky, it's what we should be doing. Kentucky is college basketball. Sure, those 10-win seasons in football were fun and we'll always have Will Levis to Wan'Dale Robinson. But basketball will always be king in Kentucky. It's the first and last thing every Kentucky fan thinks about. It also shows that we care, no need to be frugal with money when it doesn't matter. You want to get in a bidding war, fine, Mark Pope is prepared for that

“Put NIL, put the transfer portal on the list,” he said. “Our job is to go be the best at everything. We’re not shying away from that. It’s important to us.”

Does it apply pressure? Absolutely. Any time Kentucky loses we'll hear about the $22 million roster. But, guess what? We have a genius as a head coach. We have other coaches in the country saying the only way he doesn't win a title at Kentucky is basically being a moron: 

[CBS] - "Since UK can do things no other school can financially, he would have to be a complete bozo to not win one soon."

I want nothing more than another title soon. I miss it. I crave it every single day of my life. It's year 2 of the Mark Pope era and we got people talking about him winning one soon unless he's a bozo. Hint: Mark Pope is not a bozo. Mark Pope is one of the smartest coaches in the country. 

So, yeah, give me all the money. It's not my money, I just get to cheer for a school that couldn't be more all-in on basketball. Give me a roster that is going to be loaded since Mark Pope knows how to go out and find guys who fit his style of play. He sees someone he wants, go get in a bidding war. We don't care. It's so damn good to be back.