DRAMA: BYU Declared Innocent in $3.5M NIL Tampering Allegations Involving Baylor’s Rob Wright.
Brigham Young University (BYU) has been cleared of allegations surrounding the high-profile transfer of former Baylor standout Rob Wright, who entered the NCAA transfer portal earlier this year. Speculation swirled around a supposed $3.5 million NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deal that allegedly influenced his decision to commit to BYU.
Sources close to the situation initially accused BYU of NIL tampering, claiming improper inducements were made to sway Wright. However, BYU has firmly denied any wrongdoing, with Athletic Director Tom Holmoe reiterating the university’s commitment to following NCAA compliance standards.
Holmoe pointed to the role of The Royal Blue Collective, BYU’s officially sanctioned NIL arm, in providing legitimate and transparent NIL opportunities to student-athletes. “We don’t lead with money,” said Holmoe. “We lead with a culture, a vision, and an opportunity to grow.”
Head Coach Kalani Sitake echoed this sentiment, saying, “We focus on building character and developing players. If NIL is part of that journey, it must be done right.”
Critics argue that the NCAA’s current NIL structure lacks proper enforcement, creating space for backdoor deals and tampering. But for now, BYU appears to have navigated the process cleanly, with no official investigation announced by the NCAA.
As the NIL era continues to reshape college sports, BYU’s handling of the Rob Wright transfer may serve as a case study in how to do it the right way—without crossing compliance lines.
