Shilo Sanders Faces Financial Scrutiny Amid $11.89 Million Assault Lawsuit and Bankruptcy

Colorado safety Shilo Sanders, son of head coach Deion Sanders, is under scrutiny regarding his NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) income after declaring bankruptcy following an $11.89 million assault lawsuit loss, as reported by Westword.

In 2022, a state court ruled that Shilo Sanders had committed assault and battery against John Darjean, a security guard at Triple A Academy, part of the now-closed Focus Academies charter school. The incident took place in 2015, when Shilo was in high school and Deion Sanders was the school’s CEO.

Court documents state that Darjean escorted Shilo to in-school suspension for violating the no-phone policy. Shilo called his mother, Pilar Sanders, prompting one of Deion’s assistant coaches to arrive and hand Darjean a phone with Deion on the line. Deion then instructed the guard to confiscate the phone when he learned Shilo was talking to Pilar, who divorced Deion in 2013.

Shilo allegedly reacted by hitting Darjean in the chest and continuing to assault him after he fell. Darjean was hospitalized and later claimed to have suffered severe and permanent injuries, including a broken neck, cervical spine damage, neurological injuries, and irreversible incontinence.

This is an unbelievable violent crime.

Shilo Sanders had no business being allowed to play for a @pac12 team, has no business being allowed to play in the @Big12Conference and had no business being allowed to transfer in to @CUBoulder.

What an absolute disgrace for all three. https://t.co/5jACfCWOGp
— Tony Altimore (@TJAltimore) May 25, 2024

In bankruptcy court, Shilo admitted to an altercation but denied parts of Darjean’s claims, asserting he acted in self-defense and that Darjean instigated the incident.

Shilo filed for bankruptcy last October, and the payment of the lawsuit remains unresolved, sparking debate about his financial situation.

Shilo’s profile, along with his brother Shedeur’s, rose significantly in their first year at Colorado, where Deion Sanders became head coach after two years at Jackson State. Shilo was the leading tackler on a high-profile team that ended with a 4-8 record, but received significant attention due to Deion’s reputation.

In modern college athletics, social media fame often leads to NIL income. Shilo has over 1 million Instagram followers and displays a lavish lifestyle. However, in December, Shilo reportedly claimed to have only $320,477, mostly in a Mercedes and a Robin Hood investing account, down from $477,881 in October.

Darjean’s attorneys contested Shilo’s bankruptcy filing for not documenting all his possessions, which he publicly displayed.

“Contrary to the schedules, Shilo has admitted acquiring vast amounts of high-end and expensive clothing,” the filing reads. “For example, on his YouTube Channel posted on May 4, 2023, he states, ‘Alright, we at the Louis (Vuitton) Store I am trying to spend at least $50,000 today.’”

Shilo’s attorneys argue he is not required to itemize and value individual personal property items. Darjean’s attorneys also noted the absence of Shilo’s various NIL partnerships, which include promotions for KFC, TurboTax, and Oikos yogurt.

Shilo is entering his sixth college season and is expected to start again for Colorado in its first season in the Big 12. His father has made it clear he expects Shilo to be a top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.