In a recent discussion, Oklahoma State football coach Mike Gundy tried to clear the air about his comments on Oregon’s spending in football, especially around Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals.
Gundy said he actually meant his remarks as a compliment to Oregon’s commitment to their football program, not as a dig. He admitted Oregon’s put serious money into facilities, staff, and NIL, and he also mentioned how tough it is for schools like Oklahoma State to keep up financially.
Mike Gundy’s Comments on Oregon’s NIL Spending
On SiriusXM College Sports Radio, Gundy talked about his earlier statements about Oregon’s NIL spending. He said he wanted to shine a light on how committed Oregon is to football, and that his words had been taken out of context by some folks.
He wanted to set things straight and give Oregon credit where it’s due.
Oregon’s Commitment to Football
Gundy had plenty of praise for Oregon’s investments in their football program. He pointed out a few areas where Oregon’s spending stands out:
- Facilities: Oregon’s poured a ton of money into top-tier football facilities.
- Staff: They’ve also made big investments in hiring and keeping high-quality coaches and support staff.
- NIL Commitments: Gundy estimated Oregon spent close to $40 million in one year just on NIL deals.
He said these efforts show Oregon’s serious about building a powerhouse program.
Oklahoma State’s NIL Efforts
While talking about Oregon, Gundy also brought up Oklahoma State’s approach to NIL. He said Oklahoma State has spent around $7 million on NIL over the last three years.
He’s grateful for the support from the university and donors, but admitted it’s tough to keep up with bigger programs.
Donor Fatigue
Gundy mentioned something called *donor fatigue*—basically, it’s hard to keep asking the same people for money over and over. He said this isn’t just an Oklahoma State problem; it’s happening at most schools, with only a handful as exceptions.
There’s a real strain on both universities and their donors, and Gundy gave credit to Oklahoma State’s administration for managing as well as they have.
The Broader Context of NIL Spending
Gundy’s comments about Oregon also touched on the bigger picture with NIL in college sports. NIL has completely changed how schools and athletic programs work.
Now, student-athletes can make money from their name, image, and likeness, which is a huge shift, but it’s not without headaches.
Financial Implications
The money involved is no joke. Schools with bigger budgets and richer donors can offer way more attractive NIL deals to athletes.
This creates a pretty obvious gap between the haves and the have-nots, and Gundy’s comments about Oregon only highlight that divide.
Competitive Balance
NIL has also sparked debate about whether it’s messing with the competitive balance in college sports. Gundy mentioned that some coaches think schools with giant NIL budgets should stick to playing other big spenders in non-conference games.
It’s a controversial idea, but it does show how NIL money could shape the future of competition.
Looking Ahead
The NIL era is still new, and schools are figuring out how to handle the ups and downs. Gundy’s take on Oregon and Oklahoma State just shows how complicated things have gotten.
The Role of Donors
Donors are more important than ever right now. Universities have to find ways to keep donors engaged and avoid burning them out, which isn’t easy.
It’s going to take some creative thinking and real relationship-building to keep athletic programs thriving in this new landscape.
Adapting to Change
Universities and athletic programs have to keep up with the shifting landscape of college sports. That means figuring out how to deal with NIL, finding funding, and trying to stay competitive.
Honestly, it’s a lot to juggle. Some schools will get creative, others might just try to hang on, but adapting is probably the only way forward.
For more details on Mike Gundy’s comments and the context surrounding them, you can read the full article on The Oklahoman.
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