Friday, June 26, 2026

Colorado Is Thriving On, Off Field One Game Into Coach Prime Era

  • Colorado is becoming perhaps the hottest ticket in college football.
  • The debut of Deion Sanders is giving a brighter spotlight to Colorado’s top stars.
Shedeur Sanders
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

After an offseason of sensational hype and unprecedented financial boosts, the University of Colorado is just hitting the tip of the iceberg of Deion Sanders.

Saturday’s 45-42 upset of TCU in Fort Worth, Texas, has sent the already incredible Coach Prime phenomenon to another level. “Do you believe now?” Sanders asked a reporter after his debut as the Buffaloes’ head football coach.

The game set an attendance record for TCU — more than 53,000 fans packed into the school’s stadium, which has an official capacity of 46,000. And that just might become a trend this fall.

Ticket prices for Colorado’s home opener against Nebraska this coming Saturday were already soaring. Now, the cheapest ticket on StubHub to the sold-out game is more than $400. Just last week, that was the average resale ticket price for Colorado-Nebraska.

Fox, on hand to broadcast Sanders’ debut, will also show Colorado-Nebraska in its coveted “Big Noon Saturday” time slot this weekend.

Colorado Capitalizing

Two of Colorado’s biggest stars — quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way phenom Travis Hunter — have seen their odds to win this year’s Heisman trophy skyrocket, undoubtedly increasing their lucrative NIL potential as their national spotlight rises.

Sanders, the son of Coach Prime, currently has NIL deals with big-name brands like Gatorade, Mercedes-Benz, Under Armour, and Beats by Dre. Hunter was the first athlete to sign an NIL deal with the Michael Strahan Brand.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 7, 2024; Carson, California, USA; Alexi Lalas looks on before the 2024 MLS Cup between the LA Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Opinion

Have Soccer Fans Had Enough of Fox’s Alexi Lalas?

The former USMNT star has been a polarizing presence for Fox.

USMNT Delivers Another Ratings Win for Fox With 14.8M Viewers

The U.S. has two group-stage wins for the first time since 1930.

U.S.–Australia Holiday Showdown Could Be Fox Bonanza

A consequential match is good news for the network.

The World Cup Comes to Grant Wahl’s Hometown

The late sportswriter grew up in Mission, Kansas.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

6/25/26 – Austin Reaves’s Record Deal, IOC to Pay Every Olympian, Taylor Swift’s MSG Wedding, College Eligibility Lawsuits

0:00

Featured Today

Italian Americans Have Severe World Cup FOMO

Bars and restaurants in Boston, Philly, and beyond are missing the Azzurri.
Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) celebrates a three-point basket Monday, June 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77
June 24, 2026

Female Athletes Are Trying to Build the ‘Athleisure of Beauty’

“Performance cosmetics” have emerged alongside the women’s sports boom.
June 18, 2026

Why U.S. Open Host Sites Are on a 25-Year Plan

The U.S. Open has already picked out 22 future sites through 2051.
Wisconsin Badgers forward Laila Edwards, left, and defender Caroline Harvey celebrate after Edwards scored against the Minnesota Gophers in the first period in a game Saturday, February 8, 2025, at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wisconsin.
June 15, 2026

Two Rookies Are Rewriting Women’s Hockey Stardom

Their platforms are a mutual boon for the PWHL and its players.
Ai sports slop
June 5, 2026

How Sports Became Ground Zero for AI Slop

The category is the perfect breeding ground for AI content churn.
Nov 22, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Beaver Stadium.

Court Hands NCAA, Conferences Win in Fight Over NIL Enforcement

Schools are still going above the revenue-sharing cap.
Mar 16, 2026; Dayton, OH, USA; Detailed view of the “NCAA” logo during the Howard Bison a practice session ahead of the first four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at University of Dayton Arena.
June 24, 2026

Players Sue NCAA Over New Five-Year Eligibility Model

The players are suing after being excluded from the new policy.
June 25, 2026

The Clippers Have Innovated the NCAA Draft-and-Stash

No. 57 pick Narcisse Ngoy will still play for Auburn this season.
Sponsored

How Daktronics Is Reshaping the Modern MLB Ballpark Experience

The technology powering baseball’s next chapter.
June 23, 2026

NCAA Approves New ‘Age-Based’ Eligibility Rule

Two attorneys are preparing lawsuits on behalf of at least 50 players.
Mar 21, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Jada Williams (8) returns then ball against the Syracuse Orange in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.
June 23, 2026

Women’s Basketball Players Blast College Sports Bill

“Where we disagree is—Congress shouldn’t be deciding who makes those rules.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) listens as Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) speaks during a hearing on the “Protect College Sports Act” before the Senate Commerce Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 3, 2026.
June 18, 2026

Ten Pro Sports Unions Criticize Bipartisan College Sports Bill

“The bill further silences college athletes’ voices on the job,” the AFL-CIO said.
Jan 28, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, begins a hearing to examine the Panama Canal and its impact on U.S. trade and national security, focusing on fees and foreign influence on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. Mandatory Credit: Jack Gruber-USA TODAY
June 18, 2026

Landmark College Sports Bill Advances Toward Senate Vote

The SEC and Big Ten remain opposed to the bill.