*Deion Sanders’ move from JSU to the head coach position at the University of Colorado reportedly comes with a $29.5 million contract for five years, not including bonuses and incentives.
Per the Clarion Ledger, citing the Denver Post, Sanders will earn $5.5 million in his first season, and that includes a base pay of $500,000 “supplemented by $1.75 million for radio, television, and public appearances; another $1.75 million for promotion and fundraising,” the outlet writes. He could bag an additional $1.5 million for “development of the student-athlete.”
Colorado introduced Sanders as the university’s new football coach on Dec. 4. The terms of his contract stipulate that by 2024, his compensation will increase to $5.7 million and then to $5.9 million in 2025, $6.1 million in ’26, and $6.3 million in ’27, per SI.com.
Sanders will also receive $5 million for staff support and assembling assistant coaches.
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If Sanders decides to leave the university after one year, “he would owe Colorado $15 million in liquidated damages” and “$10 million if he left after year two, $8 million after year three and $5 million after years four or five” per Sports Illustrated.
If the university decides to prematurely buy out Sanders’ contract, it would owe him 75% of the remaining base and whatever supplemental compensation remains as part of the agreement.
Per the Clarion Ledger, Sanders’ potential incentives include:
- $750,000 if CU wins the national championship
- $450,000 if CU is invited to a “New Year’s 6” bowl game
- $150,000 if CU wins six games in a season
- $150,000 if CU wins the Pac-12
- $150,000 if CU is invited to a non-“New Year’s 6” bowl game
- $150,000 if Sanders is named National Coach of the Year
- $100,000 for each additional win after six games
- $75,000 if CU plays in a Pac-12 Championship game
- $75,000 if Sanders is named Pac-12 Coach of the Year
- $50,000 each time CU attains a team Academic Progress Rate of at least 965. In Year 1, that bonus is achieved if CU attains a team APR of at least 954.
Accordign to the report, Sanders will also receive a $20,000 payment for moving expenses.
