CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) – University of North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi visited Saudi Arabia earlier this year on behalf of the Tar Heels program, the school confirmed to CBS 17 on Friday.
Lombardi traveled to the Middle Eastern nation “at the request of a Saudi national” who’s described as a “college football fan” with an interest in supporting head coach Bill Belichick and the future of the program, UNC Vice Chancellor for Communications Dean Stoyer said.
Stoyer strongly denied reports that Lombardi met with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, a sovereign wealth entity that has strived to expand its presence in various sports and entertainment industries.
The fund, which is valued at approximately $1 trillion, previously invested in sports-related ventures such as LIV Golf, as well as became a driving force for Saudi Arabia hosting WWE events and luring soccer superstars like Cristiano Ronaldo to play for clubs in the country’s pro league.
While specific details remain largely unknown regarding Lombardi’s trip, UNC officials said no investment agreements were made toward the football program, with Stoyer referring to earlier reports as “inaccurate.”
Controversy has swirled around Belichick’s early tenure in Chapel Hill, fueled by a disappointing 2-3 start to the 2025 season, including three blowout losses to Power Four opponents.
Reports of dysfunction in the program and dissatisfaction among fans particularly increased following the Tar Heels’ 38-10 home loss in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener against Clemson on Oct. 4.
Less than a week later, the university released a pair of statements from Belichick and UNC athletics director Bubba Cunningham to address reports that both parties were seeking to part ways. However, each statement reaffirmed the commitments between the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach and the university.
On Monday, during his first public appearance since the Clemson loss, Belichick explicitly denied the exit strategy reports.
“Some of the reports out last week about my looking for a buyout and trying to leave here and all that, it’s just categorically false,” Belichick said in a press conference on Monday. “Glad I’m here. Working toward our goals and the process.”
Lombardi, a former NFL executive who was hired along with Belichick in December 2024, signed a three-year, $4.5 million deal, making him one of the highest-paid general managers in college athletics.
UNC travels next to the West Coast to square off against California (4-2, 1-1 ACC) on Friday at 10:30 p.m. EST.