Mark Stoops Optimistic About Kentucky’s Position with Revenue Share
Following the historic NCAA-House settlement in June, which allows schools to share revenue directly with student-athletes, Mark Stoops is optimistic about where Kentucky stands in relation to other schools, especially within the SEC. Power conference schools, including those in the SEC, will be able to distribute up to $20.5 million across all sports, with the bulk of it going to college football.
One of the goals of the revenue-sharing model is to create more parity in college sports, which Stoops is particularly excited about. Despite Kentucky’s recent struggles, he sees this change as a potential game-changer for the Wildcats.
“I’m excited because for the first time, I feel like we could be on an equal playing field with everyone else,” Stoops said. “And that hasn’t always been the case. I’m not trying to throw shade at anyone, but it’s true, right? Money is part of the game now, and I’m not afraid to talk about it anymore. It’s just the reality of college sports.”
Stoops acknowledged Kentucky’s challenges over the past few years but emphasized that he no longer views them as excuses. He feels more hopeful with the support of the administration and sees this as a turning point for the program’s future.
“Looking ahead with the administration’s support and where we’re heading, I really feel like we’re on a path to be in a much better spot. I haven’t always felt that way, so that excites me.”
With Kentucky now able to offer the same financial opportunities as other SEC teams through the revenue share, Stoops believes this will help attract top-tier talent to Lexington. The focus will be on recruiting high-profile prospects, beginning with the 2026 class.
This comes during a challenging three-year period for the Wildcats, where they’ve failed to win more than seven games in a season. Kentucky’s 4-8 finish in 2024 was the worst under Stoops since 2013, marking the end of a program-record streak of eight straight bowl appearances. Fans are eager for a turnaround.
“These past two or three years have been tough, but I feel like we’re in a great position over the next two to three years,” Stoops said. “So, I feel good about where we’re headed.”
As Kentucky gears up for the 2025 season, they’ll have a fresh mix of faces on both offense and defense. The season kicks off with a home game against Toledo.
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