Recent reports have claimed that U.S. Pres. Donald Trump is interested in creating a commission to address the ongoing changes brought by NIL deals. Historically, college football has avoided political involvement, so Trump’s interest has sparked controversy within the community.
The backlash grew stronger when news broke that legendary Alabama HC Nick Saban reportedly supported the idea. Some reports even claimed Saban wanted to lead this new commission focused on NCAA reform. After weeks of silence and growing media attention, the former coach finally addressed the rumors and shared his side of the story.
Nick Saban Addresses the Possibility of Becoming College Sports Commissioner
Nick Saban has finally addressed the growing speculation about his potential role in the sport’s future leadership.
With NIL deals, player transfers, and shifting rules causing chaos, some believed Saban might take the lead in fixing it all. But the ex-‘Bama coach doesn’t seem eager to take on that role. He even questioned whether establishing a commission is even necessary.
Speaking on “The Paul Finebaum Show,” the 73-year-old cleared the air.
Nick Saban on his recent talks with the White House about a potential commission on college sports.
“I don’t think I should be the tip of the spear…I would just like to help anyone who seeks to fix it.” pic.twitter.com/DNoUS1LMI1
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) May 14, 2025
“First of all, I don’t know a lot about the commission. Secondly, I’m not sure we really need a commission.” Saban explained that people already know what’s broken in college football. The challenge is getting everyone together to fix it. He added, “The key to the drill is getting people together so we can move it forward.”
College sports are experiencing a chaotic time. Players can easily transfer schools, and many are making significant money through NIL deals. Schools and coaches are struggling to keep up with all the changes.
If a government-backed commission were to create new rules, it could change how teams recruit players, how athletes earn money, and the future competitiveness of college football.
This is why Pres. Trump has reportedly been considering forming a commission to regulate college sports and create fairer rules, with Nick Saban as a potential leader. Saban confirmed that the idea for a national college sports panel began after he met with President Trump at the Alabama commencement ceremony.
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“[Trump] said, ‘All my friends are saying college football is really messed up. Let’s get together so we can figure out how to fix it.’ So that’s how this all started,” he recalled.
Saban has often voiced concerns about the NIL system. He believes it’s out of control and lacks proper rules. While his leadership could bring valuable experience to any new formal commission group, his latest comments suggest he’s more interested in advising than leading.
It remains to be seen whether he will finally become the leader of that group. But the bigger mystery, beyond this topic, is whether the White House-backed commission group will ultimately materialize.
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