UNLV coach Josh Pastner walks back comments looking for 'owner' of Rebels' program

No, the UNLV men's basketball team isn't for sale. 

Just days after he said he was looking for someone to become the "owner" of the Runnin' Rebels, UNLV head coach Josh Pastner walked that comment back Monday, saying it was just a figure of speech. 

"The Runnin' Rebels are not for sale, and my reference to an 'owner' was meant to highlight the level of resources, sponsorships and overall support needed to compete in today's evolving college athletics landscape — not to suggest anyone could own the program," he wrote in a statement.

"It is an honor to serve as head coach of the Runnin' Rebels. This program belongs to UNLV, its students, alumni, fans and the Southern Nevada community as it always will."

Pastner, who is entering his second season at UNLV, told KTNV last week that the program is looking for an investor to help the basketball team during the NIL era of college athletics. Competing against big-name schools in college basketball, he noted, is expensive. 

"If you have a $12 million check … you can compete against Kentucky, Duke, Arizona, UCLA for any player you want," Pastner said. "Right now … if another school offers someone $1 million and our budget only allows us $100,000, it doesn't matter how much the kid likes me."

And, instead of trying to get in on the potential ownership group of the NBA team that is sure to land in Las Vegas eventually, Paster argued the Rebels were a much easier purchase.

"I have told people, why buy the NBA team? Buy the college basketball team," he said. "You can be the owner of the UNLV Runnin' Rebels men's basketball team, and it's a lot less expensive."

Pastner was hired at UNLV last offseason, and he led the Rebels to an 18-17 record in his first campaign with the program. It marks his third head coaching job in college basketball, following long stints at Memphis and Georgia Tech. 

UNLV, which won the national championship in 1990, hasn't made the NCAA tournament since 2013.