UNC GM Michael Lombardi visited Saudi Arabia on preseason fundraising trip
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- UNC GM Michael Lombardi visited Saudi Arabia on a funded exploratory fundraising trip.
- Reports indicate Lombardi gauged interest from Saudi PIF in investing in UNC football.
- Lombardi earns $1.5M annually amid program overhaul as UNC seeks new revenue sources.
North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi traveled to Saudi Arabia on an “exploratory fundraising trip” ahead of the 2025 season, UNC’s Brandon Faber confirmed to the News & Observer on Thursday night. The visit was at the invite of the hosts and “funded by hosts.”
Dean Stoyer, UNC’s vice chancellor for communications and marketing, told the N&O Thursday night that Lombardi’s trip was “at the request of a Saudi national who is a college football fan, interested in supporting Coach Belichick.”
Stoyer denied earlier reports that Lombardi’s meeting was related to possible investments by the country’s Public Investment Fund to UNC football. He called the reports “inaccurate.”
Saudi Arabia’s PIF is worth $1 trillion and has invested in LIV Golf, as well as various soccer, martial arts, wrestling and racing ventures.
Lombardi, who was hired by North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick last December as part of a dramatic overhaul of the football program, is currently under a three-year contract worth $1.5 million annually — believed to be the highest for a college football general manager, according to multiple reports. It’s one example of the skyrocketing costs of college athletics at North Carolina and across the nation. And, in the revenue sharing era, some colleges and conferences — such as Boise State and the Big Ten — are reportedly exploring new avenues for potential revenue, such as private equity.
Journalist Pablo Torre, the host of “Pablo Torre Finds Out” podcast, first reported on social media Thursday that Lombardi left the team in August “two weeks before the season-opener” to fundraise in Saudi Arabia.
Belichick, the six-time Super Bowl winner with the New England Patriots, made headlines with his move to college football this offseason. Lombardi billed the Tar Heels as the 33rd NFL team under Belichick’s leadership.
North Carolina is 2-3 and has suffered blowout losses to all its Power 4 opponents so far: TCU (48-14), UCF (34-9) and Clemson (38-10). The Tar Heels play Friday night at Cal (4-2) following its second bye week and are still searching for their first ACC win.
This is a developing news story and will be updated.
This story was originally published October 16, 2025 at 9:14 PM.