A new and controversial rumor has surfaced regarding the Colorado football program, sparking widespread debate among college football fans. The rumor suggests that Colorado attempted to secure financial backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) to bolster their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) initiatives—a move that, if true, could have significant implications for the future of college athletics.
The alleged attempt to obtain funding reportedly involved former Colorado special teams coordinator Trevor Reilly, who is said to have pursued the deal with PIF before resigning from his position on August 1. This development has sent shockwaves through the college football community, raising concerns about the increasing commercialization of the sport and the potential influence of foreign investment.
As the rumor gained traction, fans and commentators took to social media to express their unease. Many see this as yet another example of how money is transforming the landscape of college sports, often at the expense of tradition and integrity.
“Money always changes everything,” one fan tweeted, capturing the sentiment that financial interests are increasingly overshadowing the core values of college athletics.
Another fan voiced frustration with the direction the sport is heading, tweeting, “We’ve already sold the soul of the sport. Stop pretending like none of y’all saw this coming.” This comment reflects a growing concern that the essence of college football is being eroded by the relentless pursuit of profit.
The potential involvement of Saudi Arabia’s PIF in college football has also raised alarms about the future of the NCAA’s amateurism rules. “Yea, this about to be the Wild Wild West. NCAA may have to step in soon,” one fan speculated, suggesting that the governing body may need to intervene if such financial arrangements become a reality.
Another fan humorously pointed out the potential backlash from traditionalists, tweeting, “If PIF ever invested in college football, NCAA amateurism purists would have an aneurysm.” The idea of foreign investment in college sports, particularly from a source as powerful as Saudi Arabia’s PIF, challenges long-held notions about what college athletics should represent.
Nostalgia for a simpler era of college football also surfaced in the reactions. “I miss good, clean, traditional college football when the money came on the hush hush from shady car dealership owners and politicians,” one fan lamented, highlighting a time when financial dealings were more discreet and less global in nature.
With the 2024 college football season set to kick off on August 29, when Colorado faces North Dakota State, fans are eagerly awaiting any confirmation or denial of these rumors. If substantiated, this development could mark a significant turning point in the sport, further blurring the lines between amateurism and professional-level financial involvement.
As the season approaches, the potential implications of this rumor will undoubtedly be a hot topic of discussion.
Whether Colorado’s alleged pursuit of PIF funding was a one-off attempt or a sign of things to come, the college football landscape could be on the brink of a major shift—one that could redefine the sport for years to come.
