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Former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban said NIL (the name, image and likeness of NCAA student-athletes) has hurt the SEC, the conference in which he long coached.
Saban, 73, coached for a couple of years in the NIL era before retiring at the end of the 2023 season. The legendary coach said the NIL helps northern schools in terms of recruiting.
“I think the culture in college football right now, with name, image and likeness (NIL) and paying money to players, has actually maybe hurt the SEC a little bit and helped the northern schools,” Saban said during a recent appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” according to On3.com.
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Former Alabama coach Nick Saban sits on stage during ESPN’s “College GameDay” before the Oklahoma-Michigan football game in Norman, Oklahoma, on Sept. 6. (IMAGE)
“Because if you’re making a decision about money and someone is going to pay you more to go to Ohio State or Michigan State or wherever (and I’m not complaining about that, that’s just the way it is), then these kids are going to be more willing to move.”
Saban said NIL has changed the culture of college football, as high school recruits now want to play for whoever pays them the most.
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Former Alabama coach Nick Saban smiles while appearing on set during ESPN’s “College GameDay” in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on October 4. (IMAGE)
“Kids don’t grow up wanting to go to Alabama, wanting to go to Georgia, wanting to go to Florida, wanting to go to Texas. They want to go wherever pays them the most money,” Saban said.
“So I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that, I’m just saying the culture (of college football) has changed, which I think has made the regional advantage that the Southeastern Conference has had for years no longer an advantage.”
Nick Saban on the set of ESPN’s “College GameDay” in Norman, Oklahoma, on September 6. (IMAGE)
Saban’s assessment may be accurate, as an SEC team has not played for a national title since the 2022 season. The last two national championships were won by Big Ten teams: Michigan in 2023 and Ohio State in 2024.
Saban has said in the past that NIL is not the reason he retired, but he has remained steadfast in his belief that changes need to be made.
