Report: Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes Sought Saudi NIL Funds

Deion Sanders and his staff are well aware that they need big-boy cash if the Colorado Buffaloes want to compete with programs in the Big Ten and SEC. The Buffaloes might not be afraid of helping to participate in Saudi Arabia’s “sportswashing” to get the money.

According to a report by Jeff Hauser and Jason Jones in Sports Illustrated, former Buffaloes special teams coordinator Trevor Reilly told SI about the places he went to solicit NIL money. (Reilly resigned from the Buffaloes’ coaching staff before training camp started.)

Per the report, Reilly was at “odds” with a few Colorado administrators.

A Colorado Buffaloes staff member went to the Middle East

USATSI 8039071 — Aug 16, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; New York Jets outside linebacker Trevor Reilly (49) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Per SI’s report, Reilly traveled to the Middle East to try and obtain funding from Saudi Arabia:

Reilly said he spent time in the Middle East this past holiday season lobbying Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) for Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) funding on behalf of CU Football. A copy of what Reilly says was in his resignation letter to CU athletic director Rick George and Sanders was reviewed by Sports Illustrated.

Reilly was upset that his gig burned bridges with his contacts in the Mormon community. He claimed to be paid $90,000 per year by Colorado to coach special teams.

Trevor Reilly says he acted on his own

USATSI 21946419 168400517 lowres — Nov 17, 2023; Pullman, Washington, USA; Colorado Buffaloes helmet sits during a game against the Washington State Cougars in the second half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Per the report, Reilly acted on his own to try to obtain funding from the PIF:

“I even went to Saudi Arabia and got a meeting with the Saudis, who were interested in pursuing business. I have email receipts to prove it, and you guys let it fall flat on its face.”

Reilly said he acted on his own accord trying to pull in donors. “I did nothing illegal and was trying to help Colorado the best way I knew how.” Sports Illustrated reached out to Colorado Athletics who didn’t comment on Reilly’s trip to the Middle East.

Deion Sanders should be careful about where his staff goes for money

USATSI 21765076 168410494 lowres — Oct 28, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders reacts against the UCLA Bruins in the first half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

It’s unclear why Colorado’s administration let the deal “fall flat” or how much, if anything, Sanders knew about the operation.

But like Jim Harbaugh with Michigan and the Connor Stalions sign-stealing scandal, Colorado’s football program is Sanders’ domain. He needed to know about the move to take money from a questionable source.

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