Nick Saban breaks silence on Trump’s executive NIL move

Nick Saban breaks silence on Trump’s executive NIL move originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

When Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order on college athletics this week,he didn’t do it alone. Behind the scenes, one of football’s most respected voices helped shape the move: Nick Saban.

The former Alabama head coach, known for his six national titles and razor-sharp view of the game, sat down with Trump in May in Tuscaloosa. That meeting sparked what would become the executive order titled “President Donald J. Trump Saves College Sports.”

Now, Saban is speaking out.

“We Need to Decide What College Sports Are”

On Fox & Friends Friday morning, Saban didn’t hold back.

“I think President Trump’s executive order is a huge step in providing the educational model,” Saban said.

He stressed that the original spirit of college sports was getting lost in the current NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) chaos. After the NCAA’s House v. NCAA settlement cleared the way for revenue-sharing with student-athletes, many coaches have voiced concern that schools are drifting toward becoming semi-pro operations.

Saban’s response?

“Do we want to have an education-based model, or do we want to have universities sponsor professional teams? I think most people would choose the former.”

Trump’s order directs his administration to design a plan that would give the NCAA antitrust protections, something college leaders have begged Congress for. The goal: allow conferences to set clearer rules and enforce them, especially as collectives and open markets create competitive imbalance.

The executive order also aims to protect opportunities for women’s and non-revenue sports, which often get left behind in the NIL arms race.

Saban’s Voice Carries Weight in Washington

While Trump has yet to formalize his proposed presidential commission on college athletics, he named Saban as co-chair alongside Texas Tech mega-booster Cody Campbell.

And make no mistake, Saban’s involvement isn’t symbolic.

Trump reportedly leaned heavily on Saban’s advice while drafting the order, aiming to thread the needle between player compensation and preserving education-first competition.

Saban, who retired last January after 17 seasons at Alabama, has long championed the “total development” of athletes, on and off the field.

The message is clear: It’s not just about money. It’s about identity.

Related: DJ Lagway shines in T-Mobile NIL deal with Mahomes, Gronk

What Comes Next?

Trump’s executive order isn’t law, but it’s pressure. And pressure works. The NCAA and college leaders may now feel the political backing they need to standardize the NIL model, without risking federal lawsuits or uneven enforcement.

Saban believes it’s a turning point.

“We’ve always tried to promote opportunities for players… so they can develop as people, students and professionals,” he said.

Whether you’re a fan of Alabama football or just care about what college sports become, the stakes are higher than ever.

Related: Kai Trump Joins NIL Elite With New Energy Drink Deal

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.