Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes Contract Extension Buyout Details

According to Sportico, Sanders would owe CU $12 million in "liquidated damages" if he terminates his new contract on or before Dec. 31, 2025. Every year, Sanders' buyout number drops by at least $1 million. The buyout drops to $10 million before Dec. 31, 2026; $6 million before Dec. 31, 2027; $4 million before Dec. 31, 2028; and $3 million before Dec. 31, 2029. Sanders' old contract buyout was set at $8 million if he left Colorado before the conclusion of 2025.

The buyout would only come into play if Sanders accepts "alternate employment as a coach at the collegiate or at the non-amateur level." The new contract also allows Sanders' potential new employer to pay the buyout. "Coach Prime" received some interest from NFL teams earlier this offseason but ultimately decided to stay at Colorado and coach without his sons Shedeur and Shilo Sanders.

Sanders' contract also features several performance incentives, including a $400,000 bonus for winning the conference championship game or appearing in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

Colorado athletic director Rick George, who spearheaded Sanders' hiring in 2022, spoke on the impact and expectations of his head football coach.

"Coach Prime has revolutionized college football and in doing so, has restored CU football to our rightful place as a national power," George said. "This extension not only recognizes Coach's incredible accomplishments transforming our program on and off the field, it keeps him in Boulder to compete for conference and national championships in the years to come."  

Sanders also expressed his desire to continue Colorado football's recent rapid growth. The Buffs won only one game in the season prior to Sanders' arrival but secured four victories in 2023 and nine this past year.

"I'm excited for the opportunity to continue building something special here at Colorado," Sanders said. "We've just scratched the surface of what this program can be. It's not just about football; it's about developing young men who are ready to take on the world. I'm committed to bringing greatness to this university, on and off the field. We've got work to do, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but here, making history with these incredible players and this passionate fan base. Lastly, anybody got at least a five-bedroom home with acreage for sale?"