John Calipari clarifies his stance on Name, Image, and Likeness

John Calipari’s comments about name, image, and likeness (NIL) have been a hot topic in the Big Blue Nation in the past 24 hours. As NIL becomes more and more prevalent in recruiting, Calipari wanted to make it clear that Kentucky Basketball will not guarantee NIL compensation for recruits and transfer portal prospects, which is illegal under state law and NCAA legislation; however, Calipari also wants to make it clear that he supports NIL and believes Kentucky is doing it the right way.

“I’ve pushed for NIL for 10 years publicly and no one is more supportive, which is why our players are making more money than anyone, the right way,” Calipari said via Kentucky Basketball’s Director of Player Development TJ Beisner this morning. “NIL won’t hurt us and hasn’t for any kid we’ve REALLY wanted. If NCAA or federal government make changes, we’ll adapt and continue to lead.”

The clarification comes after a series of tweets from Beisner in which he doubled down on Calipari’s comments on NIL from a conversation with Dan Issel and Mike Pratt yesterday.

“On NIL and Kentucky,” Beisner tweeted. “Our basketball program has and continues to be ahead of everyone else. I know. I have these conversations with recruits and other schools. We just don’t flaunt it on social media…BECAUSE WE DON’T NEED TO. It’s Kentucky! The biggest stage FOR EVERYTHING!

“Cal hired me – a non-coach – to his coaching staff for this very reason. And we have done better than everyone. But we will not guarantee money as an inducement. To anyone. Ever. Period. Because we don’t need to. And we haven’t missed out on anyone because of that.

“Our stance continues to be that there is no better place on earth for a young person to develop as a player and person…and now there’s no better place for NIL. We target players and families who share that same vision. Some don’t…and that’s fine. But we are confident.”

An hour later, Beisner backtracked and shared Calipari’s updated statement.

“Probably should’ve talked to him before I tweeted, but I just walked out of Cal’s office and he asked me to add his thoughts to this because there is so much confusion on NIL now…”

“I’ve pushed for NIL for 10yrs publicly and no one is more supportive, which is why our players are making more money than anyone, the right way.

NIL won’t hurt us & hasn’t for any kid we’ve REALLY wanted.

If NCAA or federal govt make changes, we’ll adapt and continue to lead.”

— TJ Beisner (@tjbeisner) May 3, 2022

Kentucky’s NIL stance surfaced in the wake of reports that the staff cut ties with South Dakota State star Baylor Scheierman after he made NIL and role demands. This morning, Scheierman committed to Creighton.

“The problem is the name, image and likeness should not be a part of it and it’s become a part of it,” Calipari said yesterday. “And if anybody is talking to me about name, image, and likeness as part of the transfer, I’m not really interested.”

“You come here because of the culture. To be developed, the environment, the fans, trying to compete for national titles, having other really good players to play with. That’s why you come here. ‘Coach, how can you develop me? What can you add? What can you do?’ Not, ‘How much is the NIL?’

“I think the idea behind it is good, but now it’s become more than that.”

Kentucky’s NIL law prohibits schools from giving, promising, or directing NIL compensation and negotiating any part of an athlete’s NIL agreement, so by making these statements, the coaching staff is making it clear it’s on the right side of the law. That said, more and more schools are getting around the rules through donor-driven collectives, which the NCAA has not yet regulated. Kentucky has a few different organizations working with players on NIL deals, but they are a far cry from collectives at other Power 5 schools, most notably Tennessee, Oregon, Miami, Florida, and Texas.

Oscar Tshiebwe’s return to Kentucky, which is reportedly worth $2 million-plus in NIL deals, is proof the program and those around it are making NIL work, not to mention multiple big deals for TyTy Washington, Shaedon Sharpe, Sahvir Wheeler, and others; however, as NIL continues to change the sport at a rapid pace — and schools continue to find loopholes — Kentucky’s messaging is huge. Recruits are watching.