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2h ago

Colorado Pressed on Funding Plan for Deion Sanders' Deal and New Player Benefits

The governor's office urged greater disclosure over CU Boulder’s unspecified fiscal 2026 athletics revenues.

BOULDER, COLORADO - SEPTEMBER 20: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes runs on field prior to the game against the Wyoming Cowboys at Folsom Field on September 20, 2025 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)
Colorado football coach Deion Sanders runs on the field before his team's game against Wyoming at Folsom Field.
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Overview

  • USA TODAY’s records requests since May for CU Boulder’s fiscal 2026 athletics budget drew responses stating no documents existed under the Colorado Open Records Act.
  • A September document from the university showed estimated athletics expenses rising by about $24 million for fiscal 2026, with the revenue page left blank and labeled “TBD.”
  • Committed costs include a $10 million-per-year contract for football coach Deion Sanders and up to $20.5 million annually in player benefits tied to recent legal and NIL changes.
  • Observers, including a former regent and a CU professor, criticized the lack of written estimates and questioned transparency for a public institution already into the fiscal year’s second quarter.
  • CU Athletics said the budget remains in development and pledged to release details when available, saying it is focused on generating revenue from a variety of sources.