Kenny Dillingham calls for $20 million donation to Arizona State after contract extension: ‘Somebody step up’

After rumors swirled, largely in connection with the Michigan vacancy, Kenny Dillingham is staying at Arizona State. He signed a new contract with the Sun Devils, meaning he will not be leaving his alma mater for Ann Arbor. But Dillingham made it clear there’s still work to do regarding resources for the program. He issued […]

Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

After rumors swirled, largely in connection with the Michigan vacancy, Kenny Dillingham is staying at Arizona State. He signed a new contract with the Sun Devils, meaning he will not be leaving his alma mater for Ann Arbor.

But Dillingham made it clear there’s still work to do regarding resources for the program. He issued a call to action for someone to write “a $20 million check” to take things to the next level.

SUBSCRIBE to the On3 NIL and Sports Business Newsletter

Dillingham engineered a swift turnaround at Arizona State, going from a 3-9 record in Year 1 to 11-3 and a College Football Playoff appearance in 2024. However, he pointed out the need for more financial support for the program. That’s why he called for investment from the local area.

“We need to find one of these really rich people in this city to step up and stroke a check,” Dillingham said Saturday. “I’ll do everything I can to make you the most famous person in the city. That’s really what we need. We need one person – we live in Phoenix, Arizona.

“You’re telling me there’s not one person who can stroke a $20 million check right now? There is somebody out here who can. There’s somebody who can. There’s somebody. Other people are going to sacrifice to be here. Somebody step up. Step up and be that dude to say, ‘Holy cow. What completely changed it? This person.'”

Kenny Dillingham: ‘Forward this message to somebody’

This isn’t the first time Kenny Dillingham has spoken about the need for more support from the community. In November, he issued a plea for local businesses to step in through NIL deals with Arizona State players. Of course, that happened last year when Sam Leavitt and Cam Skattebo had their own meals named after them at Cold Beers & Cheeseburgers.

But in an era where investment is so important with revenue-sharing part of the landscape, Kenny Dillingham said a surge in dollars could lift the Arizona State program even higher. That’s why he hoped his message resonated.

“There’s somebody out there that’s going to listen to this, that’s going to get forwarded it,” Dillingham said. “If you know somebody who can do it, forward this message to somebody. Somebody can step up and completely take this place from the direction it’s going to, ‘Holy cow.’ And it’s right here in this city.”

Category: General Sports