This Comment From Mike Gundy Could Signal a New Era in College Football

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt De Lima | Last updated Jul 10, 2025 2:04 PM ET

Mike Gundy is never shy about speaking his mind, and at this year’s Big 12 Media Days, the Oklahoma State head coach may have just dropped one of the more telling quotes about where college football is headed.

“You’ve got to admit the players are employees,” Gundy said during a conversation with On3’s Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman. “Then you can build collective bargaining. We’ve all talked about it. But you have to admit they’re employees.”

That might sound bold, but it reflects the drastic changes that have occurred in the NIL era. Just a few years ago, players couldn’t earn a dime from their name, image, or likeness. Now, top recruits are commanding six- and even seven-figure deals before they’ve played a single down of college football.

“You’ve got to admit the players are employees. Then you can build collective bargaining. We’ve all talked about it. But you have to admit they’re employees.”

— Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy, saying on the record what pretty much everyone is saying off the record. pic.twitter.com/oDnaZ6YDYL
— Andy Staples (@Andy_Staples) July 10, 2025

In 2025, Oklahoma State finished outside the top 50 in 247Sports' team recruiting rankings with 22 commitments and no players rated above three stars.

The impact of NIL has been massive. Recruiting battles now often involve donor-backed collectives, and the programs with the deepest pockets are winning more than just games.

Gundy wants to see that trend balanced out.

“College needs to instigate and to build that type of system,” he added, “so we don’t have the same 4, 5, 6 that pay the most money at the end of the season in the playoffs.”

In other words, he’s not just calling for recognition of reality, he’s calling for structure. When asked how that might actually take shape, Gundy said plainly, “You need (a salary cap) and you need an entry salary cap. An entry-level (salary cap) for a high school player coming in because it’s not sustainable.”

Love him or not, Gundy’s comments echo a growing concern across the sport. If college football is going to embrace the business side, it may be time to act like a business and establish some ground rules.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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