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Mitch Barnhart releases statement on House Settlement, UK Athletics shares details on impact
by:
Jack Pilgrim
•
about 8 hours
UK Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart – Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio
UK Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart – Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio
The NCAA’s landmark settlement has been approved, allowing schools to pay student-athletes directly for the first time ever starting July 1. It also means $2.8 billion in NIL backpay will be distributed among players dating back to 2016, along with new roster rules and an enforcement arm that will include a clearinghouse for future NIL agreements.
Struggling to follow the ins and outs of the 76-page opinion released by Judge Claudia Wilken when she signed off on the deal? Trust me, you’re not alone. Thankfully, UK Athletics is here to help — including a message from Director of Athletics Mitch Barnhart explaining the program’s stance and what’s to come
We plan to not only survive but thrive,” he said.
That doesn’t come without obstacles — Barnhart says the new model will ‘add approximately $20 million to $30 million of expenses’ to the annual budget — but the school is creatively cooking up ways to attack those challenges
In short, the settlement is a ‘significant step forward’ with a promise from Barnhart to ‘do what it takes to remain competitive
implementation and enforcement falls to the Power Four conferences and the NCAA. To oversee this process, the College Sports Commission has been formed. The Commission will be put in place to facilitate revenue sharing in college sports and ensure that name, image and likeness (NIL) deals made between student-athletes and third parties are fair and comply with the rules.
“We know there is still much to be done between now and when the new framework takes effect July 1. To learn more about the settlement framework and its anticipated impact on UK Athletics operations, please refer to these frequently asked questions. As we move forward, the Big Blue Nation’s continued support remains crucial. Together, we can embrace these changes to elevate Kentucky Athletics to new heights.
“Thank you for your ongoing passion and commitment to the University of Kentucky. Together, let’s continue to support our athletes and help them succeed in everything they do. Go Big Blue!”
Mitch Barnhart
