Deion Sanders, Colorado Ban Reporters and Fans from Using Phones During Open Practice

Colorado is set to host its first open practice in front of fans and media since Deion Sanders took over as head coach, but the team is still keeping everything under wraps.

Per David Ubben of The Athletic, the Buffaloes informed fans and media that they are banned from using their phones during the practice session or reporting on anything that occurs on the field. Their phones must be handed over to Colorado staff members and will be returned after practice ends.

"Nothing observed at practice may be reported, published, posted, broadcast or otherwise shared in any form, on any platform, at any time," the university said in an email. "If you are uncertain whether something is reportable, the answer is that it is not."

Furthermore, reporters were asked not to report or characterize "individual player performance in team or competitive periods" or "any tactical, strategic or personnel information of any kind." They were also directed to exclude injuries, player participation, depth charts, rotations, position changes, schemes, trick plays or situational packages from their reporting of Tuesday's practice.

"Violations of these guidelines may result in removal from the facility, revocation of credentials and restriction of future access for the individual and the outlet, consistent with CU Athletics media policies," the email stated.

Most college football practices are closed to the media and fans, and open sessions usually impose restrictions on reporting injuries to allow coaches to address them directly.

While Colorado has typically limited media access to practice during Sanders' tenure, Well Off Media, run by Deion Sanders Jr., usually chronicles the sessions and releases daily clips.

Sanders and the Buffaloes will be looking to bounce back from a 3-9 finish to the 2025 season when they open the 2026 campaign on Sept. 3 against Georgia Tech.