Kelvin Sampson’s $1 Venmo From UCLA Goes Viral After ‘We’re Poor’ Remark—What It Means for Houston Cougars

Houston Cougars men’s basketball coach Kelvin Sampson ignited a fresh round of national conversation this week after bluntly stating that his program is “very poor” in the name-image-likeness (NIL) marketplace and is losing ground on elite recruits as a result. Speaking to local media on Monday, Sampson contrasted Houston’s Top-10 ranking with what he called a “money gap” separating the Cougars from blue-blood rivals. “We’re not crying poverty,” he said, “but if you want McDonald’s All-Americans, you’d better have McDonald’s money.” His comments quickly rippled across social media, drawing both sympathy from mid-major coaches and criticism from fans who note that Houston is now a Big 12 member with record ticket revenue. The story took an unexpected turn when UCLA coach Mick Cronin sent Sampson exactly one dollar on Venmo, joking that he was “closing the gap.” Sampson shared the screenshot with reporters, laughing that Cronin “must think I’m worth at least a buck.” The lighthearted gesture went viral and underscored how NIL finances have become a daily talking point in college basketball. Behind the humor lies a serious numbers game. According to university documents obtained by the Houston Chronicle, Houston’s collective raised roughly $2.4 million for men’s basketball in the past fiscal year—less than half of what league peers Kansas and Baylor reportedly allocated. Sampson warned that without a larger pool, the Cougars will have to “lean heavily on the transfer portal,” a strategy he successfully deployed last offseason but one that carries year-to-year uncertainty. Complicating matters, Houston is also finalizing a new multi-year contract for the 70-year-old coach. Sources briefed on negotiations say the extension could push Sampson’s salary to $5.5-6 million annually, placing him among the Big 12’s highest-paid coaches even as he pleads for NIL help. Athletic-department officials insist the two issues are separate, noting that coaching salaries are budgeted through university and donor funds while NIL deals are brokered by independent collectives. On the floor, Sampson’s squad continues to flourish. Houston sits at 23-3 after last weekend’s overtime thriller against No. 4 Arizona, a game in which sophomore guard LJ Cryer poured in 27 points and the Cougars clawed back from a 12-point deficit. Yet even that victory spurred NIL chatter: Cryer, a Baylor transfer, credited his decision to choose Houston partly to “family atmosphere,” deflecting questions about financial incentives. With Selection Sunday less than a month away, Sampson’s comments have added new intrigue to the Cougars’ postseason push. How Houston answers its coach’s public NIL challenge—whether through deeper-pocketed donors, creative branding deals, or continued portal magic—could determine whether the Cougars remain perennial Final Four contenders or watch blue-chip recruits sign elsewhere. One thing is certain: Kelvin Sampson’s one-dollar moment has put a multimillion-dollar spotlight on the program’s future.