Eli Drinkwitz fires back at media over taking comments out of context

Eli Drinkwitz definitely got things rolling during his initial round of media at the SEC Spring Meetings. That’s because one quote, one where he compared what student-athletes are making in the form of NIL to other professions, had plenty of people talking.

So, in his appearance on The Paul Finebaum Show from Destin yesterday, Drinkwitz used that platform to clarify his statements and, in turn, take a shot at the members of the press who took what he said out of context. He went on to explain that he’s all for the benefits of name, image, and likeness but that we all must also begin to understand what consequences could be on the table in it as well.

“Yesterday was a little bit of a disingenuous approach to media, to be quite honest. I don’t think my quote that made the rounds on media was taken in any type of context at all,” Drinkwitz said to Finebaum. “I was referring to the fact that I love the fact that our players make NIL. And I think that’s awesome. I’ve been one of the leaders in the forefront of that. Our state law is one of the most progressive state laws out there. I’m fighting for our players to have the ability to earn finances off of their name, image and likeness.”

“What I want everybody to understand is that there’s unintended consequences with giving 18- to 22-year-olds a large sum of money. And that’s what there needs to be an understanding of. We’re not talking about players making $10,000 or $12,000 a year. We’re talking about guys that are making six figures, seven figures — which is awesome,” explained Drinkwitz. “But with that much money comes a different set of responsibilities. And if we’re not careful? We’re going to look back in four and five years. And we’re going to be just like the NFL and the NBA. 78% of those professional athletes after five years removed from playing in the NFL or NBA are bankrupt.”

Drinkwitz’s initial comments referred to how NIL is giving college athletes ‘life-changing money’. He went on to compare it to what his brother-in-law makes as a pediatrician and how that provides issues in itself.

Those words lit a fire under some people, especially some of the media that he appeared to fire back at. That’s because, per On3’s NIL Valuations, last season’s Missouri roster had a total NIL value of $774,000. Comparatively, Drinkwitz himself just signed a new contract last season. That deal will pay him between six and seven million dollars each year from 2023 to 2027.

One would best describe that as tone-deaf considering all things. Still, Drinkwitz did come back around and made himself quite clear. To him, it doesn’t seem to be the dollar amount that’s an issue when it comes to NIL. It’s giving young players that kind of money and not giving them the proper education about how to handle it in the future, especially once they leave the collegiate ranks.