Brian Kelly clears the air on state of NIL, LSU collective funds

New LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly had to clear the room of some assumptions regarding the program’s NIL collective on Monday, day one of SEC Media Days. A reporter asked Kelly how the program competes when LSU doesn’t have “as much funds” as other programs, a notion that the former Notre Dame coach denied.

“First of all, I don’t know that we don’t have as many funds,” Kelly said. “Nobody has given me any kind of documentation that we’re behind. I feel very comfortable, quite honestly, as I stand here talking to you that what we’re doing relative to NIL is as competitive as anybody else.”

The reporter also asked Kelly if he and the Tigers had lost out on any recruits due to “out-bidding.” It’s the type of question head coaches, especially in the SEC, have gotten used to by now.

“I don’t feel like we’re being out-bid by anybody, I don’t think that’s the place of NIL anyway,” Kelly said. “So, if we’re being out-bid, then we’re going to be out-bid if we have $50 million in our collective. I don’t feel hamstrung by that. I want to continue to educate with NIL and use the resources wisely to promote Name, Image and Likeness and have that available for student-athletes when the time comes.”

New Louisiana NIL bill doesn’t allow ‘pay-for-play’

Lawmakers in Louisiana passed a bill earlier this month, amending the state’s policy on NIL. The new law allows schools to directly facilitate deals for their college athletes. However, the bill still prohibits “pay-for-play” payment arrangements between schools and student-athletes.

Coaches and NCAA leaders say NIL disguises “pay-for-play” deals choreographed by collectives. They say groups are using money to persuade recruits before they sign binding letters of intent. Per NCAA rules, boosters are not allowed to pay players directly or be part of the recruiting process.

The NCAA issued guidance in May aimed at limiting the impact of boosters. Boosters were (or are) using NIL ventures to lure top high-school recruits and target players in the transfer portal. Many observers say the guidance wasn’t a significant step forward and will only continue the pay-for-play chaos.