No, the Runnin’ Rebels aren’t really for sale, despite Pastner’s earlier appeal for a $10-12 million buyer
UNLV men’s basketball is not on the market. After Runnin’ Rebels coach Josh Pastner drew attention for suggesting the program could be “owned” for $10 million to $12 million in comments to a local television reporter, he clarified Monday that his remarks were not meant literally.
“I want to clarify my recent comments regarding support for the UNLV men’s basketball program,” Pastner said in a statement. “The Runnin’ Rebels are not for sale, and my reference to an ‘owner’ was meant to highlight the level of resources, sponsorships, and overall support needed to compete in today’s evolving college athletics landscape — not to suggest anyone could own the program.”
That Pastner felt compelled to explain the comment underscores how quickly the business of college sports is changing. As some athletic departments accept private equity investment and others move parts of their operations into outside entities, language that once would have sounded outlandish — including the idea of “ownership” in college athletics — no longer feels entirely removed from the conversation.
Pastner’s original comments came while discussing the expected arrival of an NBA franchise in Las Vegas in the coming years. With questions still surrounding who might ultimately own that team, he floated UNLV basketball as a much cheaper way to get deeply involved in the city’s basketball scene.
“Buy the college basketball team,” he said in an interview with Taylor Rocha of KTNV. “It’s legal now. You can be the owner of UNLV Runnin’ Rebels men’s basketball team, and it’s a lot less expensive. You don’t have to spend over a billion dollars to own our team. I’m asking for $10 to 12 million to own our team. You still get a great tax write-off and you can be as involved, and you can tell everyone you’re the owner of the team.”
UNLV followed up on Sunday with a playful social media post listing other things you can purchase for $10 million such as a jet or a mansion before Pastner issued his Monday clarification that the Runnin’ Rebels are not actually for sale.
