Texas Longhorns player Michael Taaffe forced to give back Lamborghini Revuelto when he wanted to keep it for at least another year
Published on Aug 02, 2026 at 1:11 PM (UTC+4)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Aug 02, 2026 at 1:11 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Texas Longhorns player Michael Taaffe has revealed he’s being forced to hand back his Lamborghini Revuelto after his sponsorship deal expired, despite hoping to keep the hybrid supercar for at least one more year.
For most college football players, getting behind the wheel of Lamborghini’s flagship V12 hybrid would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
But for Taaffe, the Texas Longhorns defensive back had become accustomed to driving the Revuelto as part of a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) partnership with Lamborghini Austin.
Now, however, the deal has come to an end, and the football star has made it clear he’d love just one more season with the Italian supercar.
Why Michael Taaffe wanted to keep the Lamborghini Revuelto for one more year
Texas Longhorns player Michael Taaffe received a Lamborghini Revuelto through a celebrity promotional partnership with Lamborghini Austin, which has worked with several Texas Longhorns stars through NIL deals in recent years.
The dealership has become well known for teaming up with high-profile Longhorns players, allowing them to drive exotic cars while helping to promote the brand and even showcase the vehicles during recruiting weekends.
Taaffe had hoped to keep the special Revuelto supercar for another year as he prepared for the next stage of his football career.
Speaking on the 3rd & Longhorn show, he made a direct plea to Lamborghini Austin.
“The guy at Lamborghini Austin, Mr. Bruce Knox, if you’re tuning in – one more year,” he pleaded.
According to Taaffe, he originally believed he’d be moving to the NFL after the previous season, meaning the timing of the sponsorship would have lined up perfectly.
Instead, his plans changed, while the Lamborghini agreement didn’t, and the sponsorship expired, leaving him with no option but to return the car.
Why the Revuelto is so special
It’s easy to understand why Taaffe wasn’t eager to hand over the keys.
The Revuelto is Lamborghini’s flagship hybrid supercar and the first series-production V12 plug-in hybrid from the Italian manufacturer.
Power comes from a naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 working alongside three electric motors to produce a combined 1,001 horsepower.
That allows the all-wheel-drive supercar to sprint from 0-60mph in around 2.5 seconds while delivering the dramatic soundtrack only a Lamborghini V12 can provide.
While Taaffe may not get his wish of keeping the Revuelto for another season, he can at least say he spent a year driving one of the world’s most desirable supercars.
And if his football career continues on its current trajectory, another Lamborghini could well be waiting for him once he reaches the NFL.
Daisy is a technology and automotive journalist covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, emerging technologies, and transportation innovation. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral car stories and the latest developments shaping transportation and the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex topics into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work spans cutting-edge technology, innovative vehicles, and the people driving change across both industries. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.
