Colorado head football coach Deion Sanders has voiced strong opposition to gambling on college sports amid a growing scandal within the Big 12 Conference. The issue came into sharper focus recently after Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby successfully obtained a court order reinstating his eligibility, overturning an NCAA ban related to betting on professional and college football. Colorado is scheduled to face Texas Tech on Oct. 3 during its homecoming game.
In an interview ahead of Sorsby’s ruling, Sanders expressed concern over players wagering on the sports they participate in. “Somebody’s gambling on a sport they’re playing? You don’t think something’s wrong with that?” Sanders said. He emphasized the ethical concerns, questioning the integrity of competition when players bet on their own games.
Beyond gambling, Sanders shared his broader views on the evolving college football landscape, touching on the impact of the transfer portal and the influence of name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements. Among his proposals are implementing a salary cap to balance NIL earnings, appointing a retired coach such as Nick Saban to oversee the sport as commissioner, setting an age limit for players, expanding the College Football Playoff to 24 teams, and maintaining a firm stance against betting by athletes. He has reportedly addressed the gambling topic directly with his players.
“The game is still the game,” Sanders said, reflecting on the commercialization of college football. “Money’s involved, and any time money’s involved people tend to migrate to what they think they can get out of it, instead of what they could put into it – and that’s unfortunate.”
Sanders, 58, recently returned to active coaching duties after a challenging year marked by serious health issues. Last summer, he underwent treatment for bladder cancer, which involved reconstructive surgery. Earlier this year, he briefly stepped away from the team to address blood clots but now reports feeling well and revitalized. This month, during Men’s Health Month, he has partnered with Depend underwear on a campaign encouraging regular health checkups, including a program offering personalized video messages.
After missing significant coaching time last season while undergoing treatment, Sanders has since taken a more hands-on approach with the Buffaloes, revamping his roster heavily through the transfer portal. Reflecting on his strategy, he noted the previous skepticism surrounding his use of transfers but remarked that many programs now adopt the same approach.
Sanders also weighed in on the structural challenges facing college football, including disparities in program spending and competitive balance. He highlighted the need for consistency, suggesting a salary cap akin to the NFL’s to prevent large financial gaps between teams. Additionally, he advocated for an age limit to address mismatches, noting the unfairness when older, more physically mature players compete against younger athletes.
On the topic of NIL, Sanders said it likely would not have changed his own collegiate experience, emphasizing his contentment with his career path. With his son Shedeur now entering his second NFL season with the Cleveland Browns, Sanders has also embraced a more balanced lifestyle, including recent investments in a beach property in St. Croix and taking time off to enjoy life outside football.
As college football grapples with legal, financial, and ethical challenges, Sanders’ comments underscore the ongoing debate about the future governance and integrity of the game.