The University of North Carolina has historically dominated sports headlines with its storied basketball team. The Tar Heels are now making a splash with their football program, both in the media and on campus, following the appointment of new head coach Bill Belichick.
College Football Network shared the news that Belichick was confirmed as the Tar Heels’ head coach in December 2024 on a five-year contract, worth an estimated $10 million per year.
North Carolina have already sold out their allocation of 20,000 season tickets ahead of Belichick’s opening season in Chapel Hill, according to UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham who spoke to Axios Raleigh. The article also referenced a 25% hike in tickets, which apparently received no push back.
UNC Football Sees Surging Demand as Bill Belichick Era Kicks Off in Chapel Hill
The arrival of Belichick, winner of six Super Bowls with the NFL’s New England Patriots, has reignited interest in college football in Chapel Hill. North Carolina’s head coach is adding a professional approach to his first spell in charge of a college football program.
Talking to Michael Strahan on “Good Morning America”, Belichick spoke of his relationship with the North Carolina football program’s general manager Michael Lombardi as “having a shared vision, kind of like we had in the NFL: we have a coach-general manager model, and so that’s been great as well to work with him and to, you know, go through the process of re-acclimating to a little bit of a football, still football, but there’s certainly some differences.”
FULL INTERVIEW: Former New England Patriots head coach and current UNC football coach Bill Belichick discusses his memoir “The Art of Winning” and his life on and off the field with @michaelstrahan. pic.twitter.com/NgmaCxxP9S
— Good Morning America (@GMA) May 16, 2025
In addition to the arrival of Belichick, North Carolina could benefit from the impending House vs. NCAA case ruling which could allow schools to pay their athletes for the first time in college NCAA history. It would allow colleges to share part of their athletic department revenue with all players, with a first cap proposed at $20.5 million for the 2025-26 season.
Continuing his conversation with Strahan, Belichick added: “It’ll be interesting to see how the whole House settlement comes out, with what the rules are exactly with roster size and, you know, compensation for the players, NIL and all that.
And trying to figure out how to maximize giving the players the financial rewards they deserve. At the same time making the competitive balance on your team, you know, like we had to do with salary capping in the NFL.”
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Belichick’s landing in Chapel Hill could be transformative. His hire has aroused considerable interest, resulting in a sell-out of season tickets, which coupled with the forth coming House ruling, could have a huge financial impact.
This can only make the Tar Heels more attractive in the battle to attract top high school and college football talent. North Carolina kicks off the 2025-26 season hosting the TCU Horned Frogs on Sept 1 in Chapel Hill.
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