Former Colorado assistant explains Saudi Arabia trip: 'I think Deion's getting f***ed' by lack of NIL
Earlier this summer, it was revealed via reporting by Sports Illustrated that former Colorado assistant Trevor Reilly sought NIL funds from Saudi Arabia and the PIF. Afterwards, Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes distanced themselves from Reilly’s efforts, confirming he did so on his own volition.
Now, via reporting from Jill Painter Lopez and A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports, Reilly is bringing to light his reasons for the questionable actions. Evidently, the former Colorado staffer didn’t believe Sanders was getting the help he deserved to turn the Buffaloes into a contender.
“I’m betting on myself,” Reilly told FOS, regarding his trip to Saudi Arabia, believing he was trying to “get more money so we can get better players. That’s it. More money, better players. What else is there? We had no NIL money when we came there [before the 2022 season].”
Reilly, who followed Sanders from Jackson State to Colorado, believes Sanders is getting the short-end of the stick NIL-wise, and he tried to do something about it, even if it ended up ruining his relationship with his former employer.
Watch College Football Games Live -Try for Free Fubo! Click HERE NOW
Save $30 on your first month of Fubo by CLICKING HERE NOW! For a limited time, you can get your first month of Fubo for as low as $49.99. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and 200+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)
“I think Deion’s getting f***ed,” Reilly added. “We’re asking him to do all this stuff and make all these miracles, and he only has $6 million [for NIL]. He brought it to the table, not them. There was no donor, there was donor fatigue. He shows up, they get this money.”
“They haven’t capitalized on it. All that emotion that that guy brings, all the celebrities, all the CEOs, and they don’t get a single dollar.”
As Sports Illustrated originally reported and Reilly confirmed, he acted on his own accord in seeking funding from the Saudis. The idea was to secure NIL funds for players not named Shedeur Sanders or Travis Hunter, but it ended up being a major stain on the Buffaloes program instead.
Alas, Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes have made no excuses about NIL over the course of the 2024 campaign, as Trevor Reilly did while speaking with FOS. The Buffaloes are 2-1 on the season, coming off a huge win against Colorado State, and looking to continue winning as they face their first Big 12 foe of the season on Saturday in the Baylor Bears.