Mitch Barnhart screws UK again. JMI deal is killing us

KSR

Since that agreement was finalized, Kentucky basketball has not landed a player on the recruiting trail. KSR has learned that JMI is playing a role in Kentucky’s slow start to the 2026 recruiting cycle.

In talking to sources, JMI, in conjunction with the UK basketball staff, is requiring prospective student-athletes to sign away NIL rights that would normally be untouched at any other school. A highly structured brand partnership agreement is something uncommon at other schools, but it is something Kentucky has pursued in accordance with JMI, making this arrangement unique to the current landscape of college basketball recruiting.

“I will say that Kentucky is the only school I’ve dealt with that even has anything remotely like this in their contracts,” one anonymous source said.


We have the wife of a JMI executive working for Barnhart. Seems like a massive conflict of interest.

And kids don't care about the name on the jersey, its only about money. Pope needs to let someone else negotiate.

Kentucky basketball needs a GM.