The UNLV basketball program remains firmly off the market, despite a recent stir caused by Runnin' Rebels coach Josh Pastner. Following his comments suggesting a $10-12 million price tag for the team, Pastner issued a clarification on Monday, stating, "The Runnin' Rebels are not for sale."

In his statement, he emphasized that his previous remarks aimed to underscore the need for resources, sponsorships, and support in the current college athletics landscape, rather than to imply any possibility of ownership. Pastner remarked, "My reference to an 'owner' was meant to highlight...not to suggest anyone could own the program."

This incident highlights the rapidly changing dynamics of college sports, where some institutions are exploring partnerships with private equity firms and others are restructuring their athletic operations. The notion of "ownership" in college sports, once considered far-fetched, is gaining traction.

Initially, Pastner's comments were made in light of the anticipated arrival of an NBA franchise in Las Vegas. He provocatively suggested, "Buy the college basketball team...You don't have to spend over a billion dollars to own our team. I'm asking for $10 to 12 million to own our team."

Pastner's remarks reflect a growing trend in college athletics, where the lines between traditional college sports and business ownership are becoming increasingly blurred.