Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders has had a massive influence on the football program and university since being hired. Now, there’s another indication of just how much he has already brought to the university.
The Buffaloes signed Sanders to a five-year contract this spring worth $29.5 million, including a $5.5 million salary in 2023. While it seemed like a high cost to pay, the football icon has already proven to be worth far more than that to Colorado.
- Deion Sanders coaching record: 27-8, (3-2 at Colorado)
Ticket prices for Colorado football games skyrocketed after Sanders was hired and the cost of buying tickets became even higher after the Buffaloes started the year 2-0. Sanders put Colorado on the national radar, leading to massive TV ratings and a massive uptick in recruiting interest and fan support across the country.
While the Buffaloes have stumbled in the two weeks since, losing games to Oregon and USC, Colorado’s athletic department remains ecstatic. In a year that was meant to be about putting this program and school on the map, Sanders has done that and more.
According to Front Office Sports, sponsorship revenue for Colorado’s athletic department is already up 40 percent this season compared to last year.
“We’re not done, but as it stands right now, we’re looking at upwards of 42% growth year-over-year for sponsorships.”
Andrew Popchock, general manager of Buffalo Sports Properties
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The sudden ascension of Colorado’s football program plays a part, as does the massive draw of attention from national and local media. What’s really made a difference, though, is Sanders collaborating with sponsors and interested parties to help bring in even more revenue for the university.
Of course, the added interest in a sponsorship deal with Colorado means the university can charge even more moving forward. By raising the profile for the University of Colorado Boulder, Sanders has also helped increase the number of applicants to go to the university.
While it might take a few years for Sanders to bring in the talent and depth to compete with some of the upper-echelon teams in college football, he’s already earning far more for the university than they’ll pay him in his current deal.