Deion Sanders Calls for NIL Rules to Create 'Unison' in College Football

The Colorado coach says the current NIL landscape has widened the gap between college football's haves and have-nots.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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Amid growing concerns over the impact of NIL deals on competitive balance in college football, Colorado head coach Deion Sanders has called for the implementation of rules and guidelines around NIL compensation. Sanders argued that the current unregulated system has allowed well-financed programs to dominate the sport by overhauling their rosters through the transfer portal, further widening the gap between college football's haves and have-nots.

Why it matters

The rise of NIL deals and the transfer portal has fundamentally changed the landscape of college football, leading to concerns about the sport's competitive integrity. Sanders' comments reflect a growing sentiment among coaches and administrators that some form of regulation is needed to create more parity and ensure the long-term health of the game.

The details

Sanders' comments came during an appearance on ESPN's First Take, where he criticized the current NIL system for allowing certain teams to "do well beyond what this team (can do), and you know this team is not going win because their lack of finances." He argued that there should be "rules and guidelines" for NIL compensation to "hold them accountable." Last season, top NIL spenders like Ohio State, Miami, and Texas Tech had budgets ranging from $20 million to $35 million, while the details of Colorado's NIL spending remain unclear.

  • The NCAA's new NIL rules went into effect in the summer of 2022.
  • This past season, the defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers had an NIL budget "just under $20 million."

The players

Deion Sanders

The fourth-year head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes football team, who has been outspoken about the need for regulation around NIL deals in college sports.

Lane Kiffin

The new head coach of the LSU Tigers, who has been dubbed the "Portal King" for his success in the transfer portal this offseason.

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What they’re saying

“It's tough, but I don't think what NIL is presenting is not sustainable. And often time it seems you see the same consistent teams winning and winning because of the finances that some of the boosters and donors can give. (So) that needs to be fixed.”

— Deion Sanders, Head Coach, Colorado Buffaloes (ESPN's First Take)

“We need some kind of commissioner (or) somebody to step up and make sure we're doing this thing in unison. So that you don't have certain teams that are able to do well beyond what this team (can do), and you know this team is not going win because their lack of finances.”

— Deion Sanders, Head Coach, Colorado Buffaloes (ESPN's First Take)

What’s next

The NCAA and college football administrators will likely continue to discuss potential regulations and guidelines around NIL deals in the coming months, as concerns over competitive balance and the transfer portal remain a major issue facing the sport.

The takeaway

Deion Sanders' comments highlight the growing divide in college football between the haves and have-nots when it comes to NIL deals and roster building through the transfer portal. As the sport continues to evolve, there is a clear need for some form of regulation to ensure a more level playing field and preserve the integrity of the game.