This story was adapted from an article by ESPN

Mike Gundy Speaks on NIL

Oklahoma State Head Coach Mike Gundy says it’s time to call it quits with the NCAA becoming a Minor League for the NFL.

Mike Gundy, head coach of the Oklahoma State Cowboys, is one of college football’s longest-tenured and most successful coaches. Since taking over the program in 2005, Gundy has become synonymous with Oklahoma State football, consistently leading the Cowboys to winning seasons and bowl appearances. Known for his innovative offensive strategies and his development of high-powered quarterbacks, Gundy has turned OSU into a formidable presence in the Big 12 Conference. His fiery personality and memorable sound bites, like his famous “I’m a man, I’m 40!” rant, have also made him a distinctive figure in the sport. Through Gundy’s leadership, Oklahoma State has regularly competed for conference titles and earned national recognition, cementing his legacy as one of the most impactful coaches in college football today.

Instead of pushing for his players to be paid for their efforts towards the game and the billions they generate for universities, Gundy says his players should be focused on the games ahead.

“The business side of what we do now — we have to have those conversations with [the players]. ‘Tell your agent to quit calling us and asking for more money. It’s non-negotiable now.” He said. “It’ll start again in December. So now we’re able to direct ourselves just in football, and that part is fun.”

“The good news is, the next five months we can just play football,” Gundy said. “There’s no negotiating now. The portal’s over. All the negotiation’s history. Now we’re playing football.

NIL: The Greatest Distraction in Football

Oklahoma State has a chance to be special this season. With the best RB in the Nation in Ollie Gordon II, the Cowboys have all the reason to believe that the CFP is obtainable. Gordon could have entered the NFL Draft last season, but instead elected to return to OSU. This mentality is one that Mike Gundy continues to preach. If any college program wishes to obtained their ultimate goals, they must first have a fully committed roster. You can not buy a championship in CFB.

Since the implementation of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights in July 2021, the landscape of college athletics has dramatically shifted. Athletes across various sports have capitalized on their personal brands, with total NIL deals reportedly exceeding $1 billion in 2023 alone.

According to data from On3 and Opendorse, football and basketball players dominate the NIL market, with over 60% of the deals targeting athletes from these sports. The average NIL deal value varies widely, ranging from $1,000 to over $100,000, depending on the athlete’s profile, social media following, and performance. Top-tier athletes like Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, who reportedly earned over $3.5 million from NIL deals before entering the NFL, have set new standards for college athlete compensation.

Oklahoma State HC Mike Gundy is right in many ways. College Football has become too centered around payment, instead of the love for the game. Players such as Ohio State’s Caleb Downs were offered millions to play for their respective college, along with a future NFL contract and a full ride through college. If we wish to save the traditions that make CFB the greatest sport on Earth, we must first save the players who make it possible.