Mark Stoops addresses backlash to "Pony Up" NIL comments
Mark Stoops talked to the media for the first time since Monday’s radio show on today’s SEC Teleconference, and, as expected, his comments regarding NIL and fans came up. On Monday, a fan called in and asked when Kentucky would “get over the hump” and beat teams like Georgia and Alabama, to which Stoops pointed out how far the program has come during his decade in charge. He added that if fans want to help Kentucky compete with the elite, they should “pony up” their NIL contributions because Kirby Smart and Georgia “bought some pretty good players.”
Today, Stoops said that he felt his comments were taken out of context and he simply wanted to rally fans to help the program with NIL.
“I think you and probably anybody who listens to the whole thing understands that I took full responsibility for that game,” Stoops said to Jon Hale. “Kirby and I are friends and colleagues. I respect every aspect of what he does and how he runs his program. To me, I was responding to one person at a radio show and that was one part that was taken completely out of context.
“I love our fans whether they give one cent, one dollar, or a lot of money. It doesn’t matter. I love our fanbase. I think we have a great relationship with myself and the fanbase. We need them here this week. We’ve got to get back on track. We’ve got to have a great week and we need that environment rocking.
“I simply really was trying to rally people. Basically, one person was questioning me and the program and getting over the hump. I really simply should have said, ‘Hey, dude, I got over a lot of humps. That’s not a hump; that’s Mount Everest.’“
Stoops: NIL is “the way of the world”
Last night, Kirby Smart was asked about Stoops’ comments after Georgia’s practice and said he “wasn’t going to bite” on the hot topic.
“No reaction,” Smart said, via DawgsHQ. “It’s much to do about nothing. I think Mark is trying to garner interest for money from his fanbase for his collective. We’re all trying to do the same. Mark and I talked about NIL pregame and in our meeting. I’m not biting on that.”
Stoops joked that Smart was probably happy Stoops said what he said because it may help Georgia raise even more NIL money.
“Really just simply trying to rally people and, in a way, to move the needle. It’s a way. Listen, I didn’t ask for this. Kirby didn’t ask for this. It’s a way of the world and if you want to move the needle, that’s one way to do it.”
“Just listen to Kirby,” Stoops added, referencing Smart’s comments last night. “He knows he knows exactly what I was saying. Heck, we’re all in the same boat. Kirby’s probably happy. He’s probably trying to rally up more money too. We all need it. It’s just the way it is.”
As for his message to fans, Stoops wants them to know he’s just as upset with Kentucky’s performance vs. Georgia as they are.
“And as far as fans being disgruntled or unhappy about the way we lost, I’m not happy about it either. And you know me, I always take that in stride. I always agree. I don’t take any offense [to criticism]. I’ve been around this league a long time. So I don’t flinch when that stuff happens. I take it in stride. I accept it, I own it and try to move on.”
“Really just simply trying to rally people. I think people just want to take one little piece of it and blow it completely out of proportion.”
Got thoughts? Take advantage of our MADNESS & MIZZOU SPECIAL and continue the conversation on KSBoard, the KSR Message Board. New members can try 1 month for $1 or 50% off their first year.
Discuss This Article
Comments have moved.
Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.
KSBoard