Nick Saban was called out on the internet by a former NFL star after his latest remarks during Wednesday’s Senate hearing on the Protect College Sports Act.
The former legendary Alabama head coach revealed how much the Crimson Tide spent on the NIL collective to build the roster over the last five years. According to Saban, Alabama’s spending was as follows:
- Year 1 of NIL: $2.7 million
- Year 2: $7 million
- Year 3: $10 million
- Year 4 (after Saban retired): $17 million
- Year 5: $24 million
Through these figures, Saban argued with the lawmakers about how the college football landscape is turning into an “arms race” as there are several teams approaching $40 million rosters. It’s clear the former Alabama coach is not happy with the rapid rise of NIL in college sports.
After hearing his statement, former NFL star Jake Bequette, who played defensive end for the New England Patriots, called out Saban for being against “kids getting rich.” He compared Saban’s $11 million salary in his final year at Alabama to call out the hypocrisy.
“Boomers love capitalism until the kids get rich,” Bequette wrote. “Steve Spurrier was the first coach to hit a $1 million per year salary in 1996. Saban made over $11 million in his final year at Alabama. Now that it’s finally the players’ turn to earn, the boomers start sounding like AOC!”
Nick Saban Supports Bipartisan Protect College Sports Act
Shortly after the Big Ten and SEC jointly released a public statement to make their issues known regarding the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act, introduced by Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, a hearing was scheduled to discuss the bill, where legendary college football head coach Nick Saban was invited.
The bill aims to create national NIL rules, transfer regulations, and a more standardized structure for college sports governance.
Saban said in favor of the bill, claiming a national reform is needed to standardize NIL to avoid legal challenges.
“Congress does not need to micromanage college athletics,” Saban said during the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing. “Congress does need to fix the mess in the courts and create a national framework so the people inside college sports can enforce fair rules. Without that legal certainty, every rule becomes another lawsuit, every standard becomes another risk, and the system keeps drifting toward a professional model.”
Saban also acknowledged that the bill “isn’t perfect and I’m sure many, many adjustments need to be made.” However, he stands in support.
Saban was joined by Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould, West Virginia president Gordon Gee and Utah defensive end Lance Holtzclaw, who also said in support of the bill.
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