BYU to Pay UNC $500K For Basketball Exhibition: Report

BYU will play North Carolina in an exhibition game at the Delta Center in October. While the details of the event were unknown at the time of the announcement, the Tar Heels will pick up a six-figure payout for a game that doesn't count. 

According to a report by SB Nation's Robby McCombs, North Carolina is designated to receive a guaranteed $500K from BYU, along with 50 complimentary tickets located in the lower bowl behind the visiting team bench. 

“GUARANTEED PAYMENTS: $500,000 - to be paid 30 days after the contest. The visiting team will advise Brigham Young University on payment details.” UNC is the visiting team in this case, according to the record request received by McCombs. The upside to the agreement is BYU will keep revenue since they are the home team. This includes “All television rights, fees and revenues are property of the home institution.”

This will be the second exhibition on the books for BYU's 2025-26 basketball season. The first will be on Saturday, October 18 at Nebraska. The Cornhuskers won the inaugural College Basketball Crown in April 2025, defeating the UCF Knights 77-66 in the championship game in Las Vegas. This victory secured them $300,000 in NIL funds. 

BYU opens the upcoming season with a stout non-conference schedule, including Wisconsin, UConn, and a MTE (Multi-team event) at Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla.