Missouri HC releases full quote after getting called out for NIL comments

Drinkwitz joins a loud and growing chorus among coaches about the impact of name, image and likeness (NIL) deals on the college sports landscape. There's a belief among them that NIL has created a free agency of sorts among Power Five schools, where student-athletes are seeking better deals as opposed to finding the right environment to flourish and take in their collegiate experience. Some, including fellow SEC coaches Nick Saban and Kirby Smart, think that NIL is going to create a system with haves and have-nots, though that existed long before players could legally get paid.

Sports betting, of course, adds another layer to the debate over compensation for student-athletes. As the NCAA, conferences and individual schools further build relationships with gaming outfits, they are still highly likely to come down hard on student-athletes who partake in betting, as could be the case at Iowa and Iowa State.

Of course, people have retorted Drinkwitz's statement by pointing out his salary to coach these student-athletes. Drinkwitz will make $6 million in total compensation in 2023, with the potential rising to $7 million in 2027. Why does that matter? Because even in the country's most competitive conference, Missouri has yet to win more than six games in any of his three seasons as head coach.

For what it's worth, after seeing his name become a trending topic online, Drinkwitz clarified his statement while appearing to support student-athletes getting paid.