Report: Deion Sanders 'met with resistance' after asking Colorado for more NIL resources amid NFL interest

As rumors swirl around Deion Sanders and the Dallas Cowboys head coach vacancy, details are starting to emerge about the talks between Coach Prime and Colorado. NFL Network’s Jane Slater reported Sanders asked CU athletics director Rick George for additional NIL and staff resources amid the Cowboys’ pursuit, but he was “met with resistance.”

Sanders confirmed he spoke with Jerry Jones about the Cowboys opening after the franchise parted ways with Mike McCarthy this week. He told ESPN’s Adam Schefter it was “intriguing” to talk to Jones about the position, but acknowledged his focus on his current situation at Colorado.

Sanders is one of a few names starting to emerge in the early stages of the Cowboys’ search, along with Robert Saleh and Kellen Moore. Saleh has an interview scheduled and Dallas requested one with Moore. But Sanders is still a prominent name in the first few days after McCarthy’s departure, and based on Slater’s report, conversations are starting in Boulder.

One thing to watch following Jerry Jones and his initial discussions with Deion Sanders. Two people with knowledge of the situation tell me Sanders approached Colorado AD Rick George Tuesday about additional money for NIL and his staff. He was met with resistance. The University…

— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) January 16, 2025

“One thing to watch following Jerry Jones and his initial discussions with Deion Sanders,” Slater wrote on X. “Two people with knowledge of the situation tell me Sanders approached Colorado AD Rick George Tuesday about additional money for NIL and his staff. He was met with resistance.

“The University of Colorado would neither confirm or deny the information when I reached out. Deion Sanders didn’t respond when reached multiple times for comment.”

Inside Deion Sanders’ assistant coach salary pool

Sanders’ initial contract at Colorado gave him a $5 million salary pool, and the Buffaloes ranked No. 44 in assistant coach salaries during the 2024 season, according to USA Today. That number also ranked seventh among Big 12 programs. Offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur was the Buffs’ highest-paid assistant at $801,000 while defensive coordinator Robert Livingston was right behind him at $800,750.

To put those numbers in perspective, Ohio State paid its assistants $11.4 million to lead the way and Georgia was second at $10.3 million. They were the only two programs to spend eight figures on assistants.

Meanwhile, at North Carolina, Bill Belichick got a hefty salary pool in his contract after taking over for Mack Brown. According to his deal, he will have a $10 million salary pool as he builds out his staff.

Colorado cuts ties with NIL collective, 5430 Alliance

Additionally, as the House v. NCAA settlement looms, Colorado joins a growing list of schools to prepare for the revenue-sharing era in college athletics. The school took a major step by cutting ties with its NIL collective, the 5430 Alliance, less than 10 months after its launch.

In an email obtained by Front Office Sports, Colorado AD Rick George cited the looming House settlement as a factor in the decision to cut ties with the collective. Schools will be able to share upward of $20 million directly with athletes if the settlement receives full approval in April.

“I feel these changes will not only keep CU the gold standard in student-athlete support but also make it easier for fans like you to invest in our student-athletes at a time when it is most crucial,” George said.

Colorado is the latest school to make such a move. Both Alabama and Notre Dame closed collectives and redirected funds to their other major collectives – Yea Alabama and Rally, respectively. Another way of preparing for the House settlement is redirecting coaches’ salaries. Florida State’s Mike Norvell is giving back some of his salary, with the funds shifting toward NIL efforts. Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy dealt with a similar situation in his talks.

In Bill Belichick’s case, North Carolina listed the revenue-sharing pool in his contract. UNC is preparing to share $13 million with its football players.