Patrick Kinahan: BYU's NIL packages can be considered pay for play

PROVO — Somewhere along the line, apparently there might be a disconnect with BYU athletics and some of its leadership philosophy.

In a Deseret News article headlined, "Commissioner of church education: BYU sports can't drift from core principles," Elder Clark Gilbert said: "The church isn't going to weigh in on dollar amounts or recruits, that's the job of the university. But we will lay out some principles. We can never become a place where the culture is pay to play.

"We would undermine everything at BYU if that wins out. It's tempting (but) if they don't fit the mission, we'd unravel everything."

Around the same time the story was published, on3.com reported top-ranked high school basketball recruit AJ Dybantsa is expected to get an NIL deal worth between $3-4 million. The report said two high-profile BYU alums, Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith and Jazz executive Danny Ainge have "given (coach) Kevin Young an open checkbook."

In context, something doesn't jive here. Maybe it's just simply BYU has its limits.

Since getting the job last April, Young has created a national buzz long before coaching his first game. The former Phoenix Suns assistant has vastly upgraded the roster's talent, led by two potential NBA players in freshmen Egor Demin and Kanon Catchings.

In addition to Dybantsa, BYU is recruiting multiple high-ranking players who don't fit the typical profile that has dominated basketball rosters over the years. Gone are the days when the best talent at Lone Peak High moved down the road to become Cougars.

The university clearly is pumping more money into the basketball program than ever before. Young touted as much during a recent luncheon with fans, noting he added three full-time positions to the staff since his hiring.

With Young previously a hot candidate to become an NBA head coach, BYU likely made several promises to get him. Nationally ranked programs don't come cheap anymore, if they ever did.

During the Big 12 basketball media day this week in Kansas City, Young said: "BYU has an unbelievable fan base, an unbelievable amount of support, and so being able to see that translated to from the NIL space has been something I tried to do my homework on quite a bit before taking the job."

BYU is considered a favorite to land Dybantsa, who plays for Utah Prep in Hurricane. The reported money amount listed does seem outrageous for a player planning on staying one season before entering the NBA.

Young questioned the level of money recruits reportedly will get throughout the game. At the same time, financial compensation does factor into decisions no matter how much it is downplayed.

The players Young brought in are getting more than only the conventional scholarships. Young's professional experience can help players transition into the professional ranks, but plenty of college coaches can cite their ability to produce NBA players.

Despite the assertion BYU isn't interested in the pay-for-play model, attractive NIL packages are required to succeed. Without the enticements, the basketball program would languish in the ultra-competitive Big 12.

"From what I have learned, just being at BYU, is we want to be able to compete with the other teams in the country," Young told the Deseret News. "That is what we have done to this point, and hopefully we will be able to do that."

The same applies to BYU football, which has also benefitted from increased funding. One year removed from going 5-7 in its inaugural season in the Big 12, the Cougars are 7-0 are ranked No. 11.

In 2021, athletic director Tom Holmoe announced coach Kalani Sitake got an "unprecedented" deal through the 2027 season that included upgrades and a higher salary pool for assistants. One year later, BYU gave former Weber State head coach Jay Hill a seven-figure contract to become the team's defensive coordinator.

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