Nick Saban obliterates Texas A&M for its approach to NIL: 'A&M bought every player on their team'
Alabama coach Nick Saban didn’t pull any punches when discussing Texas A&M’s approach to NIL over the past year.
The Aggies brought in the nation’s No. 1-ranked recruiting class in 2022, per 247Sports Composite rankings. That fact doesn’t sit well with Saban as he believes Texas A&M “bought” its recruiting class.
“We were second in recruiting last year. A&M was first,” Saban said at an event in Birmingham on Wednesday night. “A&M bought every player on their team. Made a deal for name, image and likeness.
“We didn’t buy one player. Aight? But I don’t know if we’re going to be able to sustain that in the future, because more and more people are doing it. It’s tough.”
Here’s video of his remarks:
Saban on Name, Image and Likeness (NIL)
“The team made $3 million off of NIL last season between 25 different players.”
“The more supporters we have for UA in all sports, the better for our program. The thing I fear is we’ll have to eventually just start paying the players.” pic.twitter.com/Dsavek99Ix
— Brett Greenberg (@74Talk) May 19, 2022
It’s worth noting that Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher is a former Saban assistant. Fisher was Saban’s offensive coordinator at LSU from 2000-04.
Saban also called out NIL practices that are being used by Miami and Jackson State:
More from Saban tonight: “These guys from Miami that are going to play basketball there for $400,000. That’s in the newspaper! The guy tells you how he’s doing it! But the NCAA can’t enforce their rules because it’s not against the law, and that’s an issue, that’s a problem." https://t.co/9uOzSOFpK1
— Mike Rodak (@mikerodak) May 19, 2022
News of Saban’s comments quickly spread throughout the different corners of college football Twitter on Wednesday night. There was a wide array of reaction from college football media, fans and neutral observers.
Here’s some of that reaction:
Nick Saban to everyone pic.twitter.com/jHWDYKcxhm
— Dustin Schutte (@SchutteCFB) May 19, 2022
Nick Saban said this? Like, word for word? https://t.co/mgB2RFHXtv
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) May 19, 2022
I remember for years my dad telling me that when he turned 70 he was done worrying about what people thought and he was just going to say whatever he wanted.
He did not disappoint.
Nick Saban, 70.
— Ralph D. Russo (@ralphDrussoAP) May 19, 2022
Nick Saban becoming the moral compass for college football recruiting is a jump the shark moment.
— Josh McCuistion (@Josh_Scoop) May 19, 2022
did not expect a Wednesday night in May for Nick Saban's scorched earth exposé on college football.
— Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) May 19, 2022
Nick Saban to all of college football: https://t.co/73qrPMuZgQ pic.twitter.com/rYnRggMUn0
— Adam Spencer (@AdamSpencer4) May 19, 2022
Jimbo Fisher on NSD in February: “[NIL payments] didn’t affect recruiting at all.”
Nick Saban tonight, per @mikerodak: “A&M bought every player on their team.”
👀
— Shehan Jeyarajah (@ShehanJeyarajah) May 19, 2022
Nick Saban trying to make us believe that he believes Alabama has never paid a player is next level trolling. Almost have to respect it.
— Kayce Smith (@KayceSmith) May 19, 2022
Nick knows he’s got his boosters in line. He thinks his program has its bag men in line. It’s how he can project a “moral high-ground”… CFB during his dominance wasn’t about not paying players… it was about keeping just enough appearance you’re not directly paying players https://t.co/Vznt1xaqmw
— Mike Ryan (Ruiz) 🔥🐈🙌🏽 (@MichaelRyanRuiz) May 19, 2022
He’s not wrong, but it’s quite astonishing to hear Nick Saban talking about other teams buying players.
Who is he kidding? We all know how the game is played. Let’s just all stop acting ignorant. https://t.co/jO9cE47zkc
— Justin Hokanson (@_JHokanson) May 19, 2022