Jerry Jones going to increase twice  NIL money for Kentucky basketball recruits to play for Arkansas Razorbacks

Jerry Jones has been bombarded with inquiries about the Dallas Cowboys’ future, particularly about how much his three primary players will be paid, but no negotiations have yet begun with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, or Micah Parsons.

While the NFL has a salary ceiling, which makes these situations considerably more difficult than they appear, the world of college sports is the Wild West when it comes to NIL, and Jones is reportedly willing to help his alma institution significantly financially.

Collegiate basketball just surpassed football in terms of popularity among American sports fans, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is heavily involved in the collegiate basketball industry.

Jones’ alma university, Arkansas, has hired coach John Calipari away from Kentucky, and Jones’ status as a booster has been highlighted as one of the reasons Calipari left a collegiate basketball powerhouse to coach the Razorbacks.

Jones played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks and is still involved as a donor. In the new world of college sports, where so much success depends on convincing players that wealthy donors will hook them up with lucrative NIL deals, a booster like Jones appeals to both players and coaches.

Rob Walton, the Broncos’ co-owner, is also an Arkansas alumni and has been declared an Arkansas supporter, making Arkansas appealing to Calipari. Walton and his family, the Wal-Mart proprietors, have strong links to the state and the university.

Jones hasn’t spent much money on free agents for the Cowboys this summer, but his capacity to spend money may have influenced one of the year’s greatest stories in another sport.

Calipari’s contract is for five years and starts at $7 million each season, according to Arkansas, with a maximum of two automatic rollover years for NCAA Tournament appearances, which would prolong him until 2031. Incentives include a $1 million signing bonus, $500,000 retention bonuses per year, and further prizes for making the NCAA Tournament and progressing through each round.

“As I visited with Coach Calipari during this process, he acknowledged the tremendous opportunity we have at the University of Arkansas to attract and retain top players and compete for championships,” Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek said in a statement.

“He understands the Razorback Nation’s great enthusiasm and has personally experienced Bud Walton Arena’s incredible home court advantage. I am confident that under Coach Calipari’s direction and with the combined support of all Hog fans, Razorback Basketball will maintain its national prominence in college basketball.”

Incentives include a $1 million signing bonus, $500,000 retention bonuses per year, and further prizes for making the NCAA Tournament and progressing through each round.

Jerry Jones Will Double NIL Money Offered To Kentucky Basketball Recruits To Join Arkansas Razorbacks According To Report

While moving from Kentucky to Arkansas is a step down in terms of prestige, On3’s Pete Nakos stated that NIL “cannot be overlooked in Calipari’s decision-making.”

“Having dollars to spend in the transfer portal and recruiting won’t be a problem in Fayetteville,” Nakos said in a statement. “A source told On3 on Sunday night that Calipari will have ‘at least’ $5 million in NIL cash to disperse each year. The same source indicated that the budget would be in the $6 million range.

When the Calipari-Arkansas deal was being finalized, ESPN’s Myron Medcalf indicated that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and the Walton family, who made their fortune through Walmart, may also be significant contributors to Arkansas’ NIL fund.

Jerry Jones is reportedly offering DOUBLE whatever the Kentucky commits were making to come to Arkansas, per @trillydonovan

Jerry Jones is an Arkansas booster, and reportedly helped them hire John Calipari last week. pic.twitter.com/McgxAF77X1

— College Basketball Report (@CBKReport) April 18, 2024

Now, a new report on Wednesday night states Jones is willing to double the NIL money Kentucky is offering its top recruits if they opt to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks instead.

Per @trillydonovan’s Discord: Jerry Jones (Arkansas booster) is willing to pay freshmen twice as much as they would get at Kentucky.

What a wild era of college basketball.

— Eli Hershkovich (@EliHershkovich) April 18, 2024