Name, image, and likeness in college sports

Saban relays a former player's view that receiving $2 million in college might have prevented his development.

“if I would have gotten paid $2 million when I played here, I don't know if I would have become the man I became”

This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von: #689 - Nick Saban (Oct 6, 2026) · Listen from 1:10:15

Saban argues that in the NIL era a coach's value lies in evaluating and paying the right players, and that booster influence led to 33 coach firings.

“we're raising money from alumni who now think they should have a say in what happens. And that's why 33 coaches got fired last year”

This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von: #689 - Nick Saban (Oct 6, 2026) · Listen from 1:07:55

Saban says NIL was not why he retired, but he saw players making more transactional, money-driven decisions.

“it was more about how much money you're going to pay me than how you're going to develop me”

This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von: #689 - Nick Saban (Oct 6, 2026) · Listen from 48:29

Ryen Russillo doubts that NIL has ended SEC dominance, noting the SEC still led transfer portal rankings.

“it was still hard for me to believe like they're just not going to win national championships now because of NIL”

Pardon My Take: Eli Manning, Ryen Russillo Talking CFB, Falcons Dominant MNF Win, Playoff Baseball And Listener Takes (Oct 7, 2026) · Listen from 2:23:28

Dan Katz argues the transfer portal and NIL have made college programs so volatile year to year that many fan bases are unhappy.

“I think aren't used to the fact that the volatility is going to be so severe year to year”

Pardon My Take: Eli Manning, Ryen Russillo Talking CFB, Falcons Dominant MNF Win, Playoff Baseball And Listener Takes (Oct 7, 2026) · Listen from 2:13:34