CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WTVD) — The ABC11 I-Team has learned that University of North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick was aware of the preseason fundraising trip to Saudi Arabia taken by the team’s general manager.

The I-Team first reported on the trip, which was funded by an unnamed Saudi national. This individual is a college football fan who expressed interest in supporting Coach Belichick.

For the first time since the initial reporting, Coach Belichick addressed the trip during a press conference on Tuesday. He confirmed that he knew about the trip and was familiar with the person who met with general manager Michael Lombardi.

“Yes, I am familiar with them and their connections and so forth,” Belichick said. “Do I have knowledge and a relationship? Absolutely, yes.”

When asked whether he thought the meeting should have happened, Coach Belichick did not provide a direct answer.

“I was aware of it, and it was talked about, and the university released their statement on it. I mean, there’s no secret,” he said.

The university previously issued a statement clarifying that the trip did not lead to any investing in UNC.
https://abc11.com/post/belichick-says-he-knew-preseason-fundraising-trip-saudi-arabia-taken-teams-gm/18052525/