Nick Saban reveals what would lead him to joining a commission on college sports

Ever since his surprising retirement announcement in early January 2024, college football fans far and wide have speculated about what’s next for Nick Saban. Of course, the 73-year-old former Alabama head coach has found a nice niche as an analyst on ESPN’s College GameDay, as well as continuing his role as a commercial spokesman for Alfac and Vrbo.

But the one role Saban’s name has long been connected to has been the yet-to-be-created “Commissioner of College Football.” If not that specific title, rumors have swirled about the coach leading a commission created to help police college sports. While such a position/commission doesn’t currently even exist, that hasn’t stopped media and fans from asking about the possibility.

During a guest appearance on Friday’s edition of ‘ThePat McAfee Show‘, Saban addressed the rumors about a commission. He actually revealed that he would be a part of such an entity if it were to be created in the near future.

“I’m very much committed to (college football) in every way,” Saban said. “I would be a part of a commission if it was a real commission created by a government that was actually going to enforce some rules and regulations and guidelines that would help the game and promote the players and the game.”

“I’m all for players making money, but you need some guidelines relative to competition and creating some parity in the league. Every competitive venue has it. I’m all for players, but I’m really all for college football. There’s so much enthusiasm and so much interest in college football. It’s still pure in a way and sometimes we can’t let that purity sort of leave what it’s always been.”

Saban and Coach Prime have been proponents of regulation around NIL

Saban and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders both have been proponents of more regulation and structure around NIL and revenue-sharing following the passage of the House v. NCAA settlement that effectively ended the NCAA’s outdated “amateur” model. The settlement ushered in revenue-sharing across college athletics, allowing programs to pay as much as $20.5 million to their student-athletes, with football teams expected to receive roughly 75% of that total annually.

“For years and years and years as coaches, and when we were players, we learned this, we’re trying to create value for our future,” Saban told the AP. “That’s why we’re going to college. It’s not just to see how much money we can make while we’re in college. It’s, how does that impact your future as far as our ability to create value for ourselves?”

Saban returns to the ESPN airwaves Saturday for the 2025 season debut of College GameDay, which will be onsite in Columbus, Ohio for the highly-anticipated season-opener between No. 1 Texas and No. 3 Ohio State (12 noon ET, FOX). It’ll also serve as a final farewell to longtime ESPN icon Lee Corso, who will end a nearly 40-year career on the show Saturday.

On3’s Alex Byington contributed to this report.