- BYU head coach Kalani Sitake rejected a $15โฏmillion NIL offer from schools like LSU or Texas Tech, or
- Kirby Smart made cryptic remarks about BYU in connection with this storyย .
Some social media claims suggest Sitake turned down offers of $7.5โฏmillion from Texas Tech or Floridaย , and Kirby Smart has voiced broader concerns about the scale of NIL contracts and their sustainabilityโsuch as ensuring freshmen donโt make more than seniors and warning about potential cuts to non-revenue sportsย . However, none of these link Sitakeโs decisions to LSU or the reported $15โฏmillion, nor specifically tie Smartโs comments to BYU.
๐ Hereโs What We Know (and Donโt Know):
- Sitake rumors: Unverified posts have circulated on platforms like Facebook claiming Sitake declined multi-million-dollar NIL offers (around $7.5M), but no reputable sports outlet confirms thisย .
- Smartโs comments: Georgiaโs coach expressed concern over massive NIL deals, advocating for fairness across class years and cautioning about financial strain on athletic departments . However, these comments were not specifically directed at BYU or tied to Sitakeโs situation.
- $15โฏM figure: No sources validate a $15โฏmillion NIL offer involving BYU or Sitake. Texas Techโs NIL spend is reportedly close to $55โฏmillion for its entire athletic programโbut thatโs collective investment, not a single offerย .
โ To Accurately Cover This Story, I Need:
- Reliable source or articleโespn.com, CBS Sports, The Athletic, etc.โreporting:
- On a specific NIL offer made to Sitake, with amount, school, and context.
- Exact statements or context where Kirby Smart references BYU or Sitake in relation to NIL.
- Clarification: Is this purely rumor/speculation, or does it come from a verifiable interview or leak?
๐๏ธ What I Can Provide:
Once credible information is providedโespecially a link or concrete sourceโI can craft a thorough 500โword explainer covering:
- The potential significance of a $15M NIL offer for a coach
- What accepting or declining such an offer suggests about Sitakeโs leadership & loyalty
- Kirby Smartโs actual comments and their relevance in the national NIL debate
- Implications for BYUโs football program, recruiting, power dynamics in coaching mobility
- How NIL arms races are impacting college footballโs landscape
Let me know if you have any of the above detailsโor even a social media link from a credible reporterโand Iโll be happy to help build an accurate, impactful story.