College Football News: Nick Saban Says NIL ‘Hurt’ the SEC

Former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban said NIL — the name, image and likeness of NCAA student-athletes — has harmed the SEC, the conference in which he long coached.

Saban, 73, coached for a few years during the NIL era before retiring at the end of the 2023 season. The legendary coach said NIL helps Northern schools in terms of recruiting.

“I think the current culture of college football, with the name, image and likeness (NIL) and paying players money, has maybe hurt the SEC a little bit and helped the Northern schools,” Saban said during a recent appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” by On3.com.

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Former Alabama coach Nick Saban sits on stage during ESPN’s “College GameDay” before the Oklahoma-Michigan game in Norman, Oklahoma, on September 6. (Imagn)

“Because if you make a decision about money and someone is going to pay you more to go to Ohio State or Michigan or wherever — and I’m not complaining about that. It is what it is — then those kids are going to be more willing to move.”

Saban said NIL has changed the culture of college football because high school recruits now want to play for the team that will pay them the most.

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Former Alabama coach Nick Saban smiles as he appears on the set of ESPN’s “College GameDay” in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Oct. 4. (IMAGINE)

“Kids don’t grow up wanting to go to Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Texas. They want to go anywhere and see who will give 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 be an advantage.”

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Nick Saban on the set of ESPN’s “College GameDay” in Norman, Oklahoma, on September 6. (Imagn)

Saban’s assessment may be accurate since an SEC team hasn’t 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 was not the reason he retired, but he has remained adamant about the need to make changes.

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