Deion Sanders has never been one to hold his tongue, and this week at Big 12 Media Days he made it crystal clear: if EA Sports wants Coach Prime in their college football video game, they're going to have to open their wallets a lot wider.
The Hall of Famer and current Colorado head coach revealed he's not in the latest edition of EA Sports College Football, and the reason is simple — the offer just didn't cut it.
“If I’m not in the game, they’re probably not paying enough,” Sanders told reporters, per Brett McMurphy of On3.
It's a stance that echoes the recent debate over player compensation in college sports, where stars are increasingly demanding their fair share of the multibillion-dollar industry. For Sanders, who remains one of the most recognizable faces in football, being undervalued is simply not an option.
Beyond the video game drama, Sanders used his time at the podium to send a clear message about his team's future. After a painful 2025 season that saw the Buffaloes stumble to a 3-9 record, he's promising a massive turnaround.
“I’m not happy with nothing right now,” Sanders said. “I don’t think it’s a motivation thing as it’s more a part of life. This fan base, the school, Rick (Georgie)… everybody deserves better than this, and they expected better than this. I expected to be much better than this and we’re going to give them much better than this…starting tomorrow.”
Colorado ranked near the bottom of the FBS in both total offense (112th) and total defense (121st) last season, so there's plenty of room for improvement. Sanders, who dealt with health issues in recent years, says he's feeling stronger than ever heading into 2026.
“Now I’m here with full strength, full energy,” he said. “I got that thing back. I got that swagger back. I’ve got that dawg back. I got that charisma back.”
The pressure is undeniably on Coach Prime. With a revamped roster and a chip on his shoulder, he'll look to prove that his first two seasons in Boulder were just the warm-up act. The Buffaloes open the season on Sept. 3 against Georgia Tech, and all eyes will be on whether Sanders can back up his bold words.
As for the video game snub? It's just another reminder that in the modern era of college athletics, where the sport's popularity rivals the pros, the biggest names expect to be compensated like the stars they are.
