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Friday Headlines: Navigating NIL Edition

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Kentucky Sports Radio’s Jack Pilgrim published a piece late Thursday evening saying Kentucky expects the hammer to drop on schools using pay-for-play to recruit with NIL. Several programs, including teams in the Southeastern Conference, have used booster money for cash rewards to land recruits.

Pilgrim says “as other money-happy programs continue to spend, Kentucky basketball has taken a firm stance against pay-for-play while continuing to create lucrative NIL opportunities for its players the ‘right way.’”

“We’re not going to break the rules.” Those were the words of TJ Beisner — Kentucky’s Director of Player Development and NIL expert — that headlined Pilgrim’s piece.

Kentucky has prided themselves for recruiting and utilizing the benefit of Name, Image and Likeness in a legal way as well as having the best interest of their recruits in mind.

Beisner talked about instead of promising recruits playing time, shots or any NIL guarantees, Kentucky focuses on opportunities and what former players were able to accomplish at Kentucky.

“It’s about the opportunity and the support and the people who came before you, what they were able to do. That’s where we started with this last year, and that’s been something we’ve done for a while without financial compensation, just trying to build presence, build identity and build brands for players,” Beisner said.

Kentucky is once again ahead of the game and doing everything the right way, which is something other programs can’t honestly say at the moment.

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Headlines

Keidron Smith will definitely fill void at UK - Vaught’s Views

Excited to watch him rock UK blue.

NFL Draft Breakdown - Cats Illustrated

Which former Wildcat landed in the best spot?

Calipari still feeling love from UK fans - Vaught’s Views

Thankfully not everyone has turned their back on Cal.

Cats open series with walk-off over No. 1 Tennessee - Cats Illustrated

What a night for UK baseball.

Jordan Robinson always believed he had Division I talent - Vaught’s Views

He’ll make a huge impact for the Wildcats.

Netflix Series Reimagined with Oscar Tshiebwe - Kentucky Sports Radio

Awesome opportunity.

Brooks invited to NBA G League Camp - Cats Pause

Will this impact his decision of transferring next season?

Howard signs shoe deal with Jordan Brand - Kentucky Sports Radio

So happy for Howard and her future.