NIL deal with Saudi Arabia would have Colorado football competing for every recruit
On SI reviewed Trevor Reilly's resignation letter from the Colorado football program as its special teams coordinator, and the outlet found a very interesting section explaining what Reilly aimed to do in his role from an NIL standpoint.
"I even went to Saudi Arabia and got a meeting with the Saudis, who were interested in pursuing business," Reilly wrote in his resignation letter. "I have email receipts to prove it, and you guys let it fall flat on its face."
Per On SI, Reilly was trying to get the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia, PIF, to become an NIL partner with the Buffs. And as On SI's Jason Jones writes, that would've put Colorado in the running with the likes of Texas, Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia, Alabama, and the like for just about any recruit desired in the coming years.
"Just imagine what Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter’s NIL valuations would be with that kind of backing," Jones prefaced before saying, "Even better, imagine what it might look like for the significant contributors who are not named Sanders or Hunter. This could be the sledgehammer that allows Colorado to break through the glass ceiling that would allow them to compete dollar for dollar with the bigger more consistent programs of the Power four."
Deion Sanders hate would reach new heights if Colorado football had Saudi Arabia as an NIL partner
Deion Sanders is already public enemy No. 1 to a good portion of the media, opposing coaches, and college football fans. Had his Buffs found a way to get funding from a foreign adversary like Saudi Arabia?
Forget it. Coach Prime would be called everything from a traitor to a non-patriot.
Given how much Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, and Shilo Sanders make, the Buffs figure to be in good shape NIL-wise in the coming years when that trio is off the books and in the NFL. But PIF would make Colorado a true juggernaut on the recruiting trail. It might still be behind the aforementioned big-spenders because Boulder isn't yet a football town, but the Buffs would be in play for anyone.
It's not a stretch to say that Colorado could become an ATM in that situation -- as Coach Prime famously once denied CU was.
It's unclear if Reilly's departure means this endeavor is on hold. From the sounds of it, the arrangement didn't get far and seemed to fall flat with Reilly in the fold.