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Colorado Introduces AD Fernando Lovo With Fundraising Mandate to Tackle $27 Million Deficit

His contract ties bonuses to rapid donations to reinforce leadership's push for unified action.

Overview

  • Lovo held his introductory news conference in Boulder on Jan. 5 after starting Jan. 1, with former AD Rick George staying through July 1, 2026 to aid the transition.
  • CU projects a $27 million athletic deficit this fiscal year, driven in part by a new $20.5 million revenue-sharing expense and Deion Sanders’ expanded contract.
  • Lovo’s deal pays $1.2 million annually and includes a $200,000 bonus for raising $25 million by June 30, 2026, with another $200,000 tied to an additional $25 million in the following year.
  • At New Mexico, Lovo oversaw eight Mountain West titles and hired football coach Jason Eck, who produced a 9-3 season, and basketball coach Eric Olen, whose team opened 10-2.
  • Lovo emphasized increasing revenue and managing NIL, revenue sharing and the transfer portal, as Chancellor Justin Schwartz highlighted administrative alignment behind athletics.