We all know the impact Coach Prime has had on the field, turning around a 1-11 program in 2022 to a team that can compete week in and week out. There is no doubt he is destined to build something great on the field that Buffs fans have been craving since the 1990s. However, the greatest impact to date has nothing to do with what has transpired on the gridiron.
CU’s first home game against Nebraska generated almost $18 million in economic impact. With College Game Day and Big Noon Kickoff both setting up shop in Boulder, the amount of people pouring into Boulder and frequenting local businesses have certainly increased. Since Sanders’ hire, the three weeks of national coverage that CU has received has generated an estimated $90 million. The University of Colorado team store is 892% above 2022 revenues. September sales are up 2544% compared to September 2022. Not stopping there, the program sold out every football game for the first time in 27 years. And for the first time in the history of the school, every home game is sold out. Even Sanders’ famous “Prime 21” Blender sunglasses are in such high demand, orders are not shipping until December 2023.
From a cultural and social standpoint, Coach Prime has helped diversify Boulder’s culture. Bringing the Black community to the forefront, Sanders promotes empowerment and authenticity for the African American community. Deion sets a new standard as a college football coach. He demands the highest level of character and builds leaders in the locker room. The Black community across the nation supports Sanders. Celebrities like The Rock, Lil Wayne, DaBaby, LeBron and Bronny James, Master P, Aaron Gordon, Jay-Z, and Snoop Dogg are just a few of Coach Prime’s avid supporters.
With student applications skyrocketing for the 2024 school year, it’s clear that Coach Prime has set up The University of Colorado for success. What that success looks like will be measured well beyond wins and losses. The Prime Effect has certainly taken Boulder and college football by storm. The state of Colorado needed this, the city of Boulder needed this, Buffalo fans everywhere needed this, little did they know it would come in the form of Coach Prime. “If your dream ain’t bigger than you, there’s a problem with your dream.” – Deion Sanders
