Nick Saban curses live on ESPN and cracks up Pat McAfee in brutal assessment of Ohio State’s ‘$20m team’
Nick Saban had no trouble giving the perspective of a successful modern-day college football coach from his new role as an analyst for ESPN.
While talking about the potential of this year’s Ohio State team, Saban pulled out a comment that made every other panelist on ‘College GameDay’ burst out laughing, including Pat McAfee, who leaned back in his chair to collect himself.
The Buckeyes are viewed as national-championship contenders and have built their star-studded roster in part through NIL, which allows players to earn money while under the NCAA’s banner.
Multiple reports have stated Ohio State football’s NIL budget is around $20million annually, one of the highest for any collegiate team in all sports.
‘You guys keep talking about the $20million roster. If you don’t pay the right guys, you’ll be s*** out of luck,’ Saban said.
Nick Saban joined ESPN as a full-time college football analyst after retiring from coaching
Saban made the rest of the ESPN panel crack up with his line about Ohio State’s roster
‘That’s life, baby!’ McAfee responded.
If anyone would know how to manage a roster in the age of NIL, it is Saban.
Although Alabama did not win a national title in the three college football seasons with NIL legalized with Saban at the helm, he did lead the Crimson Tide to a New Year’s Six bowl game during each campaign.
That includes two trips to the College Football Playoff and one national championship game appearance.
Saban won six national titles in his time as Alabama’s head coach and stepped down from that role in January and was replaced by former Washington coach Kalen DeBoer.
Alabama’s NIL budget is unknown, but could be as high as $20million with the caliber of players that school consistently brings to campus.
