The time for negotiating NIL deals, at least in Stillwater, is over.
Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy revealed last week that he told his players they needed to stop “asking for more money” and focus on the season.
“I told the players there are no more negotiations now,” Gundy said, by the Associated Press“The portal is finished. All negotiations are history. Now we play football. We just train and play football.”
With the way the transfer portal and name, image and likeness deals have exploded in recent years, it’s no surprise to hear that Gundy wants to put that aside with less than two weeks to go until the Cowboys’ season begins. And, Gundy has a lot more on his plate. College football today is a lot different than it was when he was first hired at Oklahoma State in 2005.
But at this point he’s done with that.
“The business side of what we’re doing now is we have to have those conversations with them,” Gundy said. “Tell your agent to stop calling us and asking for more money. It’s non-negotiable now. Start over in December.”
Oklahoma State went 10-4 last season and reached the Big 12 title game, thanks in large part to a breakout year from running back Ollie Gordon II, and is a legitimate contender for a spot in the expanded College Football Playoff this fall. Gordon ran for an FBS-record 1,732 yards and 22 total touchdowns last season — earlier this summer, but at Big 12 media days — said he wouldn’t miss playing time because of it.
The Cowboys, who will begin the season ranked 17th in the country, will host South Dakota State in their first game of the year on Aug. 31.
While he knows college football will continue to change and adapt in how it handles NIL deals, especially when universities can pay players directly, it’s a concern for his future.
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