LOOK: Nick Saban stands firm in his NIL opinion, apologizes for singling out programs
Alabama head coach Nick Saban called out Texas A&M, Jackson State and Miami for how they have utilized the newly-passed name, image, likeness (NIL) policy. While it was originally intend for student-athletes to use their personal brands to land endorsements and sponsorship deals, it is allegedly being used by some as a way to entice recruits to commit to their program.
Saban referenced that the Crimson Tide’s 2022 recruiting class finished the cycle as the second-ranked class behind the Aggies out of College Station. He cites ‘buying players’ as the reason as to why that is.
Jimbo Fisher held a very heated press conference where he called out Saban. Even going as far as calling him a narcissist, that he should have been slapped as a child, needs to have his past looked into and that he’s done talking with the seven-time national championship-winning head coach.
Saban went on the radio to clarify some things. Here’s what he had to say.
Apologies for singling out specific programs
Nick Saban with @SXMCollege: "I should have never singled anybody out, and I apologize for that part of it."
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) May 19, 2022
Makes it clear he is calling out the system, not individuals
Saban: "It's the whole system, and is this a sustainable system, and is it good for college football?"
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) May 19, 2022
He tried to contact the coaches of the programs he mentioned
Saban on @SXMCollege says he reached out to Jimbo Fisher and Deion Sanders and "never got a response. I feel bad about it."
Saban reiterates that his philosophy about how to help players isn't changing
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) May 19, 2022
Stands firm in his position that it's wrong, but not illegal
Saban says he wasn't insinuating anyone did anything illegal. "That was something assumed by what I said." Adds that the system allows teams to operate this way.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) May 19, 2022
Clarifies who and what he meant to call out
Saban: "Collectives are the issue."
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) May 19, 2022
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