The Protect College Sports Act, recently passed in the Senate, could — emphasis on the word could — establish some form of ground rules when it comes to name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, athlete compensation, eligibility, and the transfer portal, which has turned into the Wild Wild West.While everyone can agree that a uniform framework across collegiate sports is long overdue, what that framework entails for athlete compensation is where government officials, athletic directors, coaches, and athletes themselves will never agree.Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari waves his hands after a foul call during a semifinal game of the SEC Tournament between the Mississippi Rebels and Arkansas Razorbacks, March 14, 2026 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.(Photo by Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Matthew Maxey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGEArkansas basketball coach John Calipari certainly understands that, but it didn't stop him from sharing that the majority of the players on his roster make more money than the assistant coaches on his staff."I'm gonna say this; I probably shouldn't.
Nine of my players make more than my assistants," Calipari shared on Wednesday after agreeing guardrails need to be put in place."The other three make more than all my staff, and we are not one of the highest payers.""All the coaches on this campus in every sport make less than the rev share, which is $22 million, and it's much less.
So the players are getting more than the coaches; I just don't understand who could be against it," he continued, while referring to reform across collegiate sports.Calipari, who earns approximately $8 million per season, is by no means sharing an Earth-shattering discovery here about players earning more than staffers.However, specifically knowing exactly nine of his players earn more than his assistants and then sharing that exact number unprompted with reporters can only...