**UNC Football General Manager Michael Lombardi Takes Preseason Fundraising Trip to Saudi Arabia**
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) — The ABC11 I-Team has learned that University of North Carolina football general manager Michael Lombardi made an international fundraising trip before the start of the season.
Lombardi was hired in December 2024 to serve as the general manager alongside new head coach Bill Belichick. The I-Team has confirmed that Lombardi traveled to Saudi Arabia for a preseason fundraising trip.
In a statement to ABC11, Dean Stoyer, UNC Vice Chancellor for Communications & Marketing, confirmed that Lombardi “did make a preseason exploratory fundraising trip to Saudi Arabia at the invite of the hosts and funded by hosts.”
It remains unclear whether Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) specifically funded this trip. The PIF has faced criticism from human rights groups and congressional leaders due to the Saudi government’s reported human rights violations, its alleged ties to the 9/11 attacks, and the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a well-known critic of the Saudi crown prince.
Notably, the PIF holds a minority stake in Disney, the parent company of ABC11.
ABC11 has requested additional details from UNC regarding the trip and whether the PIF directly funded it. The I-Team will continue to investigate and provide updates as more information becomes available.
https://abc11.com/post/unc-football-gm-michael-lombardi-made-preseason-fundraising-trip-saudi-arabia-abc11-team-learns/18021402/
