North Carolina GM Michael Lombardi went to Saudi Arabia to look into potential PIF investment

North Carolina general manager Michael Lombardi traveled to Saudi Arabia before the season to seek potential investment from the country’s Public Investment Fund, according to The Athletic.

The university was unaware of the visit, which came “at the invitation of the Saudis,” UNC vice chancellor for communications Dean Stoyer told the outlet.

No agreement came from the visit, which Stoyer characterized as an “exploratory fundraising trip,” and was paid for by the Saudi government, not using school or athletic funds.

Among its estimated $925 billion in holdings, the PIF owns the LIV Golf tour and the Premier League’s Newcastle United F.C., along with partnerships with the WTA and ATP tennis tours. It has also organized Formula 1 events. The fund also has a stake in Electronic Arts, the makers of the “Madden NFL” and “College Football” series, among others.

It has been widely criticized as a method of laundering the country’s seedy behaviors through sports.

Friday’s revelations only add to what’s been a tumultuous year at UNC.

Hired in December 2024 after missing out on the NFL coaching cycle, Belichick’s arrival in Chapel Hill came with plenty of hype and fanfare following his 24-season reign in New England, where he won six Super Bowls alongside future Hall of Famer Tom Brady.

Belichick, 73, tapped Lombardi, a former NFL exec with whom he had worked at the pro level, to serve as the Tar Heels’ GM, a reunion Lombardi called “a dream come true.”

That dream quickly spiraled into a nightmare when the regular season began, as UNC was embarrassed by TCU in its home opener on Sept. 1, with a star-studded crowd — including Belichick’s girlfriend, 24-year-old Jordon Hudson — witnessing the lopsided 48-14 defeat.

Although UNC bounced back with wins against Charlotte and Richmond, blowout losses soon followed, with a 34-9 defeat against UCF on Sept. 20, followed by a 38-10 pounding by Clemson on Oct. 4 — a game that saw UNC fans dash for the exits early.

The hits kept coming for Belichick, with a parent of a current player accusing the program of being “toxic.”

“It’s an unstructured mess,” a source told WRAL earlier this month. “There’s no culture, no organization. It’s a complete disaster.”

As rumors percolated about a possible Belichick departure, UNC issued a statement in support of its embattled football coach.

“Coach Belichick has the full support of the Department of Athletics and University,” UNC Athletics Director Bubba Cunningham said.

Belichick also made it clear he isn’t looking for the nearest exit.

“Reports about my looking for a buyout or trying to leave here is categorically false,” Belichick said. “There’s zero truth to any of that. I’m glad I’m here. We’re working toward our goals. We believe very much in the process. We need to just keep working and grinding away and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”

The Tar Heels (2-3) visit Cal (4-2) on Friday night.