Kentucky Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart made it clear this week — when it comes to name, image and likeness deals, the University of Kentucky wants to keep them close to home. It is a policy right out of the Stone Ages.
“It gives us an opportunity so that our partners are somewhat protected,” Barnhart said. “The intellectual property, institutional property; it’s really important that if people want to use our marks, use our facilities for part of their endorsement property, that’s part of the deal. You come to the University of Kentucky and you’re part of our family and you get to use our things, but also that’s part of the relationship.