Paul Finebaum on Deion Sanders: ‘Stick to Coaching’

Paul Finebaum aimed at Deion Sanders during ESPN’s Get Up after the Colorado head coach called for a college football salary cap.

Sanders sparked the conversation at Big 12 Media Days, arguing that power programs are outspending everyone else in NIL to dominate the Playoff field, and understandably, the SEC’s biggest fanboy took offense to the comments.

“It may happen one day, but they need to solve some more basic problems first,” Finebaum said, brushing aside the cap talk. He also called Sanders’ tone calculated, saying, “He just changes the narrative depending on who is on his team,” referencing how the departure of Heisman finalist Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter suddenly had Coach Prime shifting focus.

Finebaum didn’t stop there, calling the timing ironic. If a salary cap had existed when Colorado was pulling in big-name talent, he argued, Sanders wouldn’t have landed those game-changers in the first place. “Would Deion have been in favor of a cap then? Of course not,” Finebaum continued.

This wasn’t just criticism; it was a reminder that media talking points and coaching priorities often collide. Finebaum said college football has bigger problems than NIL spending limits and suggested Sanders divert attention back to building his team, not shaping policy.

Sanders isn’t afraid to play the political role. Still, Finebaum’s blunt message to “stick to coaching football” underscores the tension between high-profile figures and the evolving business side of college sports.

As the season approaches, don’t expect Coach Prime to shy away from controversy. Just know some voices are pushing him back into the press box.