UNC football GM Michael Lombardi retains lawyer, issues statement. What we know

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Embattled UNC football GM Michael Lombardi has reportedly retained Tom Mars, a prominent attorney known for handling cases involving college athletics, according to multiple reports.

UNC placed Lombardi on administrative leave with pay earlier this week, pending an investigation.

Mars, a trial lawyer at Mars Law Firm, released a statement to multiple media outlets Friday evening, saying that Lombardi had not been told any details of UNC’s investigation, and plans to “clear his name.”

“(Lombardi) is fully cooperating with UNC and expects the investigation to be swift, thorough and fair,” Mars said in the statement. “Michael would ask that people have the decency to let the process run its course before jumping to any conclusions or whether there’s any merit to whatever has been alleged.”

UNC announced Lombardi was placed on administrative leave Monday. Chancellor Lee Roberts said Thursday the university began an investigation into the second-year general manager after the school learned of “some concerns” last week.

ESPN reported the investigation began after a former UNC front office staffer filed a complaint.

The Athletic wrote the College Sports Commission — which looks into name, image and likeness, revenue-sharing and other similar violations — has “approached” UNC for an investigation, and Lombardi’s actions were “believed to be of interest.”

Lombardi is earning $1.5 million a year at UNC, making him among the highest paid college football general managers, at least among those at public schools for which records are available.

The News & Observer reached out to UNC for comment but did not receive an immediate response Friday night.

Belichick said Thursday that UNC made “adjustments” among some staffers’ responsibilities to fulfill Lombardi’s responsibilities during his administrative leave.

“We are working through some things,” Belichick said just before the start of preseason camp.

UNC kicks off its season against TCU in Ireland on Aug. 29.

This story was originally published July 31, 2026 at 10:00 PM with the headline “UNC football GM Michael Lombardi retains lawyer, issues statement. What we know.”