UNC football GM Lombardi's Saudi trip to gauge investment interest

North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi traveled to Saudi Arabia in August, two weeks before the Tar Heels opened their 2025 season, to explore potential fundraising and investment opportunities, university officials confirmed Thursday. The visit, which Lombardi undertook at the hosts invitation and was paid for by the hosts, was described by a university communications official as an exploratory effort to gauge interest from Saudi investors including the country’s Public Investment Fund.

UNC vice chancellor for communications Dean Stoyer said Saudi Arabia arranged and paid for Lombardi’s travel and that he was in the country to probe possible investment in the football program. University officials declined to say whether the trip was formally authorized by the school, who Lombardi met while in Saudi Arabia, or whether any funding was offered or accepted.

The trip was first reported on social media by journalist Pablo Torre, who said multiple sources told him Lombardi left the team in August to fundraise in Saudi Arabia. The university later confirmed the visit to reporters. Brandon Faber, a UNC communications official, also confirmed the trip and that it was...