Is Coach Prime worth the price tag? Critics have questioned whether Deion Sanders’ multimillion-dollar salary is justified given Colorado’s on-field results, and now a new audit has revealed the school accidentally paid Coach Prime even more than it was supposed to.
A Big Paycheck
An internal review found that the University of Colorado Boulder overpaid Sanders by $50,000 following the 2024 season after a bowl-game bonus was calculated incorrectly, according to USA Today Sports. Colorado mistakenly classified the Alamo Bowl as a New Year’s Six bowl, triggering a $200,000 bonus instead of the $150,000 payment outlined in Sanders’ contract, Sporting News reported.
Assistant coaches and support staff were also overpaid by $71,333 due to discretionary bonus adjustments that exceeded policy guidelines.
The audit found no intentional wrongdoing but said “significant improvements” are needed to strengthen oversight and financial controls.
This was the second consecutive year Colorado paid Sanders beyond his contract terms, according to USA Today Sports. In 2023, he received a $250,000 discretionary bonus for raising the university’s national profile.
Colorado’s 2024 team finished 9-4 and lost 36-14 to BYU in the Alamo Bowl, according to Sporting News.
The university lost approximately $1.24 million on its Alamo Bowl appearance because it proceeded without a formal event budget. Colorado generated about $2.97 million in bowl-related revenue but spent more than $4.21 million on the event.
Major expenses included $1.8 million in athletics-related costs. Other costs covered $802,034 for required ticket purchases.
Spending also reached $945,053 for band and spirit program travel.
The audit highlighted that sending 210 band members cost nearly $945,000 compared with an estimated $198,541 for a group of 50.
Colorado’s athletic department said it will revise postseason compensation policies according to the university statement.
The department also plans to clarify bonus eligibility and discretionary authority. Officials intend to require better documentation and approvals according to the planned changes. The university will implement stronger budgeting and oversight procedures according to the athletic department.
The findings come as Colorado athletics faces a projected $27 million deficit for fiscal year 2026 amid rising coaching salaries and new athlete revenue-sharing costs.
Sanders signed a new contract in 2025 that increased his compensation to more than $10 million annually, according to Sporting News.
His team finished 3-9 in 2025.
Under Sanders’ contract, a non-New Year’s Six bowl appearance earned a $150,000 bonus, according to USA Today Sports. A New Year’s Six bowl appearance earned a $200,000 bonus.
Colorado paid the higher amount, resulting in the $50,000 overpayment. Colorado assistant coaches and staff were also overpaid by $71,333 related to the bowl game.
The university ultimately lost approximately $1.2 million on its Alamo Bowl appearance.
The official New Year’s Six bowls are the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Cotton Bowl Classic, and Peach Bowl, according to the bowl classification rules reported. Colorado finished the 2024 season 9-4, earning the Alamo Bowl berth.
Sanders later signed a new contract that made him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football.
Colorado went 3-9 in 2025, leaving Sanders needing a nine-win season in 2026 to finish his first four years at Colorado with an overall .500 record.
The Buffaloes are scheduled to open the 2026 season against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Atlanta on Sept. 3.
