Mitch Barnhart defends UK's deal with JMI, acknowledges brand protection in NIL deals

[Matt Dillon]

The University of Kentucky’s deal with JMI to bring NIL in-house has been a big talking point in Big Blue Nation this week following KSR’s article about how the partnership, among other things, has played a part in the basketball program’s recent struggles on the recruiting trail. In an effort to clear the air, athletic director Mitch Barnhart spoke to Tom Leach on the official pregame show ahead of Kentucky vs. Indiana.

Barnhart started by talking about UK’s long history with JMI, going back to 2014. The partnership was extended through 2040 back in August, a deal valued at $465 million. As part of that agreement, JMI created the BBNIL Suite that serves as Kentucky’s in-house NIL collective. Through it, athletes can broker deals with UK’s 200+ official partners, or try to find their own third-party deals. Barnhart has said before that the latter may be trickier than the former as the school tries to protect the brand and its partners. He doubled down on that tonight.

Mitch Barnhart defends UK's deal with JMI, acknowledges brand protection in NIL deals?

[Majoga]

I already have a used car. Don't need another.

[WeWant9]

It is sounding like JMI is truly having a negative impact on recruiting. I wouldn’t call Pope an elite recruiter by any means but I wouldn’t say he’s a guy who should be batting zero on the recruiting trail. This seems like a perfect storm of disaster.

[SportsFan]

Raise your hand if you expected Mitch to say anything critical or even introspective of the deal with JMI. Now use it to slap yourself with it if you did (smh)

Of course Barnhardt is going to defend his own a$$. He's the one responsible for this. These days that's all anyone ever does. Just once it would be nice to hear someone say "they're looking into it" and that "there may need to be some changes made", etc., etc. Unfortunately, nobody knows how to do that. It's all "I'm not at fault, nothing to see here", blah, blah, blah.

[Davidmack]

I will just be glad when Barney finally retires.

[***St.Patterson-54***]

You don't bite the hand that feeds you. But who's to say UK couldn't find other sources of funding. C'mon Barney. Do Better.

[Los Gatos]

I will just be glad when Barney finally retires.

Yes, indeed!

[Jload]

There is an OBVIOUS conflict of interest here. Also how do you sign a contract with a company when your assistant AD is married to one of its chief executives. This whole thing stinks to high heaven. I really don't want to hear any more about Barnharts squeaky clean image.

[Pete Hogwallop]

There is an OBVIOUS conflict of interest here. Also how do you sign a contract with a company when your assistant AD is married to one of its chief executives. This whole thing stinks to high heaven. I really don't want to hear any more about Barnharts squeaky clean image.

This conflict of interest issue is the one thing that bothers me about this deal. It doesn't feel right to me.

However, I don't think the conflict of interest has an effect on recruiting, though. Not directly, anyway.

[Matt Dillon]

Hilarious.

Shuts down a thread because he says that there is not enough conversation within the thread about the subject then almost instantly starts a thread about the thread he shut down.

LOLOLOLOL

Excellent moderating.

Actually I started my thread about a week before locking yours but don't let the facts get in the way of trying to be a disruption.

[Mr.Nezzer]

IMO, just based on what the article says...its a bad deal for Kentucky recruits. Sure you can do a "third party deal" but we'll handicap you if you do. You need to go with our "prefered partners".
Mitch and Kentucky made a bad deal...knowing this, seems like the "lost recruits" are not entirely Pope's fault. If kids can get better or same kind of deals with less headaches who's gonna blame them for going somewhere else.

[WeWant9]

IMO, just based on what the article says...its a bad deal for Kentucky recruits. Sure you can do a "third party deal" but we'll handicap you if you do. You need to go with our "prefered partners".
Mitch and Kentucky made a bad deal...knowing this, seems like the "lost recruits" are not entirely Pope's fault. If kids can get better or same kind of deals with less headaches who's gonna blame them for going somewhere else.

I do not think Pope is an elite recruiter by any means, also don't think he's the type to be batting .000 in recruiting right now. But the current combo of Pope/JMI is obviously not working out on the recruiting trail.

I will be interested to see how it all works out on the football side of things. If they are able to go out and sign high level recruits with no issue, then I think I will shift my view and say it is a Pope problem.

[Catsrock]

UK has been in business with JMI since 2015. The extension was signed in 2025. But of course NIL just became a legal entity a couple years ago. Cal having Hunter Dickinson in the bag only to lose him to KU occurred before this extension. My point—JMI’s restrictions and controls may be part of the issue but perhaps not the only reason we’re missing on top targets—even with Cal. I expect Tyran Stokes to wind up at KU as well.

[blueheretic]

I'm beginning to think that JMI is less an issue than Pope simply can't recruit or evaluate talent at a high level.

Apparently, he can't coach a team, either.

[SportsFan]

I'm beginning to think that JMI is less an issue than Pope simply can't recruit or evaluate talent at a high level.

Apparently, he can't coach a team, either.

Possibly....maybe he can't recruit or doesn't recognize top talent....but I think his real problem is he can't close.

He has been recruiting Stokes, Holt, Collins, etc. from this year's senior class, and Wilson from last year's. And he DID bring in guys like Yaxel Lendeborg and Donovan Dent EARLY on from this past year's transfer portal.....so I think he recognized that they were gamechangers who were worthy of adding to the roster. I think his problem is he can't close the deal. Now why that is the case is anybody's guess. Maybe he doesn't recognize their true worth and value and just how much they would mean....or maybe he thinks they are replaceable (which gives merit to what you're saying about not recognizing top talent). Or (and I did read or see this somewhere, from a fairly reliable source....KSR, Aaron Torres, Field of 68 AD, etc) that he is "too emotional", and that he tries to sell "the brand" more so than their role with the team, their future, etc. Who knows. I'm not claiming to know anything...just throwing it out there as food for thought.