Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy compares NIL to religion, politics: ‘Not even worth discussing’

Mike Gundy has seen a lot in his 18 years as the head coach of the Oklahoma State football program, and he’s learned a lot of lessons. One lesson he learned the hard way is not to mix polarizing subjects like religion and politics with football.

In 2023, Gundy thinks name, image and likeness rights and the college football transfer portal are right up there with those taboo subjects.

“For a while there, I thought it was interesting, but I’m almost considering the NIL and the Portal like religion and politics, where it’s not even worth discussing because we don’t necessarily have a rhyme or reason for what’s happening,” Gundy told reporters during Big 12 Media Day.

Some of his disinterest in talking NIL and transfers is that the Cowboys have lost around 20 players after last year’s disappointing 7-6 campaign. However, Oklahoma State is bringing in 10 to 12 new players through that same portal, so things are evening out somewhat for Gundy.

No matter what the reason, it’s telling that Gundy would use a religion and politics comparison from NIL and the transfer portal.

In 2020, Gundy posted a picture of himself fishing in a One America News (OAN) t-shirt, which drew a fiery reaction from his star running back at the time, Chuba Hubbard, who threatened to sit out team activities unless the coach apologized for wearing the logo of the conservative news network.

Gundy would ultimately apologize for wearing the shirt.

Since then, the coach has seemingly stayed away from any political statements, but now he will apparently add NIL and the transfer portal to his list of things he doesn’t talk about.