Jerry Stackhouse has a unique vantage point of the name, image, and likeness (NIL) era. The former two-time NBA All-Star and current head coach of Vanderbilt men’s basketball thinks the NIL era is a “sh*t show” with “rogue agents” spreading misinformation and some pushing Congress to step in. Still, Stackhouse feels politicians should avoid getting involved with the process.
“Anybody that tells you that they have the blueprint of what NIL should look like, walk away from them because they don’t know,” Stackhouse said on the “No Chill with Gil” podcast. “There’s still so much up in the air about how this thing will settle out. They’re trying to get Congress involved, which I think is not the way to go.
“It should be something similar to the way the NBA operates with its players, where it should be collectively bargained. Where the players got to, at some point, should have some representation. If they never have any representation to speak on their behalf the things will always be lopsided…these kids deserve money.”
Stacks On Stacks
Stackhouse was named the men’s basketball program’s 28th head coach in 2019 and is now entering his fifth season with the team. He guided the Commodores to back-to-back winning seasons and NIT quarterfinals berths in 2022 and 2023, sent four student-athletes to the NBA, and coached two SEC Scholar Athletes of the Year in his first four seasons in Nashville.
Stackhouse made an immediate impact, as Vanderbilt was the only SEC program to improve its NET ranking in three consecutive seasons from 2019-22.
For the 2022-23 season, he earned SEC Co-Coach of the Year, so like many other coaches, he also understands the profound challenges of the NIL era.
“I like that these guys have been able to make money off their name, image, and likeness,” Stackhouse continued.
“Hell, I wish I could go back retroactively and get some of the money made off of me. But we got to find a way right now, it’s like the Wild, Wild West. And these players need to be aware of rogue agents who just want them to test the waters. It’s just a sh*t show right now. But I think ultimately it’ll get settled down.”
