Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Gundy draws comparison between NIL and building a family are parameters and rules in place that aren’t being governed by anybody right now. So, I’ll go back to what I said a month ago when I was asked this question -- There’s a speed limit sign that says 55, but nobody drives 55 and there’s nobody getting a ticket. So, you Chris Becker really don’t have to drive 55. That’s Editor-in-Chief actually what’s in place right now, in my opinion.” NIL mirrors raising kids. The large amounts of distributed At least that’s how coach Mike money has begun to reach recruits, Gundy looks at it. making the blue blood programs with “As we move forward with this, limitless athletic budgets more likely to if I get involved with distributing NIL, retain their titles as perennial contendthen we can have a chemistry problem. ers. Because it’s like raising kids,” Gundy While the NIL legislation is still said. “You have three kids at home and relatively new to the world of college are supposed to raise them the same, athletics, Gundy expects to continue to treat them the same. And if one gets all ramp up. this and the other one doesn’t, this one’s “We’ve been confronted with NIL, gonna be upset. And I think that could namely players who were on our roster be an issue with NIL. So, we’re going to that aren’t on our roster anymore, more build a model of consistency here in this so than the upcoming barrage of high culture on this team.” school players that will be involved or In a landscape constantly shifting asking, for lack of a better term, what in the world of college football, Gundy NIL opportunities that schools have,” and every coach in the country has to Gundy said. “I foresee that starting this constantly keep an eye peeled on every- spring in recruiting and then picking up thing, including the new NIL rules and considerable momentum in the fall.” ways. In the new world of star players Under the current NCAA legisla- gaining more money and deals than tion, which allows athletes to make other players, fracturing of chemistry is money on their name, image and likeon the table for teams, especially with ness, Gundy compares it to an unenegos. Coaches have to deal with this forced speed limit, which is worrisome. yearly in their one ways with each coach “They all are on their own with having varying salaries. For Gundy he the NIL. Originally, that’s what NIL said he has not faced fractured chemiswas intended for,” Gundy said. “There try in his tenure due to salaries, but
Abby Cage Coach Mile Gundy is worried about team chemistry with new NIL rules.
players earning various amounts have opened his eyes. “If you continue to work and do the things you’re supposed to do to be a part of this, then from an internal NIL, then you’re all going to be treated the same,” Gundy said. “But if somebody from, I guess Stan Clark won’t matter, if
Eskimo Joe really likes Malcolm Rodriguez and he wants to give him a separate NIL for making appearances for him and do that separately on his own, then so be it.” sports.ed@ocolly.com
Bowlsby stepping down as Big 12’s commissioner
Dean Ruhl Sports Editor
to join no later than the 2024-25 season. During his decade as commissioner, Bowlsby reinstated the Big 12 Championship Game in 2017, finalized a 12-year media rights agreement between the conference, ESPN and FOX and was integral in the College Football Playoff being formed in 2014. Prior to joining the Big 12, he served as the athletic director at Stanford, Iowa and Northern Iowa. “When my transition is complete, I will miss the daily interaction with these wonderful colleagues and with the student-athletes but will welcome the opportunity to spend more time with my wife, my children and my ten grandchildren,” Bowlsby said in a statement. The conference is using an executive search consulting firm to help in a national search for Bowlsby’s predecessor. The search is expected to start in the next weeks. “The conference will continue to excel, and we are confident of an even brighter future,” said Lawrence Schovanec, the chairman of the Big 12 board and Texas Tech president. “I appreciate that during this transition, Bob will continue to be a trusted resource for the conference in whatever appropriate role on which he and the new commissioner mutually agree.”
Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby announced Tuesday afternoon he will step down from his role later this year. Bowlsby, 70, served as the conference’s commissioner since 2012 and will remain commissioner until a replacement is named before transitioning into an interim role. “Given the major issues that college sports in general and the Big 12 specifically will address in the next several years, I have reached a natural transition point in my tenure as commissioner, as well as in my career,” Bowlsby said in a statement. Bowlsby’s tenure is bookended by conference realignments. He assumed the commissioner role in 2012 following Missouri and Texas A&M departing for the SEC and a year after Nebraska and Colorado left. He welcomed TCU and West Virginia to the conference in his first year. More recently, Bowlsby arranged the additions of BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati and Houston to the conference after Oklahoma and Texas announced its move to the SEC. The four new institutions are expected sports.ed@ocolly.com
Chris Becker Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby announced Tuesday he will step down as the conference’s commissioner later this year.