Deion Sanders and his staff at Colorado are exploring innovative funding sources for Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals to help the football program compete with powerhouse schools. After resigning as CU’s special teams coordinator, Trevor Reilly revealed that he had tried to secure NIL funding from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) on behalf of Colorado. Reilly claimed he pursued these efforts independently, lobbying for support but ultimately facing resistance from the university’s administration.
The potential partnership with the PIF, one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, could significantly boost Colorado’s NIL capabilities, leveling the playing field against richer programs. This move could set a new precedent in college athletics, though it may spark controversy due to the involvement of foreign, specifically Saudi, investment in American college sports.
While some see this as a strategic way to compete within the existing NIL rules, others might criticize it from a political or ethical standpoint, questioning whether such funding should come from outside the U.S. Nonetheless, this approach highlights the ongoing challenges of securing fair and competitive NIL funding in college sports.