UNLV basketball coach Josh Pastner clarified comments he made when he said the Runnin’ Rebels were seeking an "owner" for the team, emphasizing that the men’s basketball team is not for sale and belongs to the university.
In a statement, Pastner explained, "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 that anyone could own the program."
He concluded by reaffirming that the men’s basketball team "belongs to UNLV, its students, alumni, fans, and the entire Southern Nevada community."
This clarification follows an interview last week with
KTNV in Las Vegas, in which Pastner discussed seeking major investors who could help the team compete in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era. He also mentioned that Las Vegas could one day become home to an NBA team.
"I have told people, 'Why buy an NBA team? Buy the college basketball team. You can be the owner of the UNLV Runnin' Rebels men's basketball team,' " Pastner said in the KTNV interview. "And it's a lot less expensive."
This is Pastner’s second season with UNLV. In his first year, the team finished with an 18-17 record and tied for seventh place in the Mountain West Conference, posting an 11-9 conference record.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Not for sale': UNLV men's basketball coach Josh Pastner walks back comments
