Jim Boeheim Says He 'Absolutely Misspoke' About Pittsburgh, Wake Forest Buying Teams

Syracuse men's basketball coach Jim Boeheim regrets lumping Pittsburgh and Wake Forest in with Miami when discussing teams that "bought" their rosters through name, image and likeness deals for the 2022-23 season.

ESPN's Pete Thamel shared Boeheim's comments in which he turned heads with some of his thoughts on the new NIL landscape in college sports.

"This is an awful place we're in in college basketball," he said. "Pittsburgh bought a team. OK, fine. My [big donor] talks about it, but he doesn't give anyone any money. Nothing. Not one guy. Our guys make like $20,000. Wake Forest bought a team. Miami bought a team. ... It's like, 'Really, this is where we are?' That's really where we are, and it's only going to get worse."

However, he issued a retraction, saying he "absolutely misspoke" about the Panthers and Demon Deacons, adding he "shouldn't have" included them since he only publicly knew about Miami's NIL choices.

For his part, Wake Forest head coach Steve Forbes said, "I don't have one player on my team that got NIL money to come here."

There may be some frustration in place for Boeheim at this point.

While the Orange defeated Boston College on Saturday, they are still just 7-6 in ACC play and outside projected brackets in the race for an NCAA tournament spot. Barring a drastic turnaround, this will be the second straight season in which Syracuse misses the Big Dance.

The 78-year-old also discussed potential retirement after the 2022-23 campaign, noting: "I know it's my choice I do whatever I want. I just don't know for sure."

The NIL landscape may even weigh in on his decision since he pointed to former Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski and Villanova head coach Jay Wright as two legends who "got out" because of a transfer portal situation he described as "nuts."

If Boeheim does decide to stay with the program he has led to national championship heights, he will likely have to adjust his approach. Because the NIL isn't going anywhere, and the Orange have fallen behind some of the other programs in the ACC.