Everything about Deion Sanders time at Colorado has been non-traditional, from his introductory meeting with the team, to his unprecedented use of the transfer portal, to his sometimes brash interactions with the media.
Apparently, the approach to funding NIL matters can now also be added to that list.
Former special teams coordinator Trevor Reilly, who resigned from his post earlier this month, recently went on the record with Sports Illustrated where he talked about the lengths he was going to secure funds for Colorado's 5430 NIL collective.
Reilly's resignation letter to Buffs athletic director Rick George was obtained by SI, and he reportedly shared the following, in part:
"The arrangement was that, because I did all the NIL work at Jackson and got us through, you guys would pay me a modest salary and make me the Special Teams Coordinator, which should have freed up time for me to handle NIL activities."
"You paid me $90,000 a year and let me handle special teams. I did all this work in your name and was told to pursue it. I burned through all my contacts in my Mormon community, which is worth about $3 trillion. Now, I can't get these people to answer my calls because I just found out today that none of my endeavors will happen."
"I even went to Saudi Arabia and got a meeting with the Saudis, who were interested in pursuing business. I have email receipts to prove it, and you guys let it fall flat on its face."
Reilly went on to say that he did nothing illegal and was trying to help Colorado the best way he knew how.
While not illegal, there will be no shortage of folks with political opinions that want NIL funds to come from American sources, and don't want foreign governments like Saudi Arabia's Public Investment fund involved in college athletics.
The Saudi government owns multiple professional soccer clubs and are also the lead backer for the LIV Golf Tour, who previously tried to buy the PGA Tour outright, and famously poached PGA golfers for their own tour in a move that has famously not gone over well in the sports community.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.