Mark Pope on changes with NIL: 'We're racing into it'

NIL can become a lot to handle for any coach currently leading a collegiate program. However, Mark Pope sees it as an opportunity for the Wildcats to put something into their fanbase as much as they donate into them.

Pope shared some thoughts on name, image, and likeness during a media availability on Saturday. He did so ahead of the NEW ERA Event from the Club Blue collective. He realizes that it’s the biggest shift at the college level that we’ve ever seen. Still, if it gives them the chance to connect with their fans, especially those that buy in on them as a program, he is all for it.

“Listen, it’s a big change. It’s another significant time but I love it,” said Pope.

“C’mon! Like, we get to come and do this here at the University of Kentucky. This is another way where we get to connect with BBN. It’s another real, tangible way that we get to build and forge connections,” Pope continued. “I’m telling you, like, devotion increases with investment also. It is certainly a new wrinkle and a new challenge associated with college athletics but anything that gives us an opportunity to connect with, touch, reach out, and build relationships with every single fan of Kentucky Basketball and every single member of BBN is beautiful.”

Commitment to NIL is clearly there for Kentucky as they got into their debut season under Pope. Club Blue passed as much as a million dollars of donations through annual commitments by fans to the collective back in mid-May. That’s not to mention individual donations from donors, including four million dollars worth from two separate ones, for UK.

In turn, Pope has already turned some of those funds into what looks to be a competitive first team. He has been able to get nine players to come through the transfer portal and a pair from out of high school to give them a dozen new faces in the bluegrass. All 12 have since arrived in Lexington and started summer practice on Monday.

Kentucky Basketball generates a passion out of Big Blue Nation that’s right there amongst the best in college athletics. That’s why Pope wants it to be a mutual relationship between the program, it’s players, and their fans when it comes to how they dive into aspects like NIL.

“I love the whole thing,” said Pope. “We’re racing into it. I think it’s incredibly full of ripe opportunity for good things to happen.”