College football has a problem. At least some think it does. NIL is giving the kids too much money. The Transfer Portal has ruined loyalty among the kids today. You don’t have to scroll far on Twitter, “X”, or your favorite message board to hear the complaints. So, what can be done? President Trump has decided to step in to “rescue” college sports. He has tapped one of the most prominent names in college football to help lead it: Nick Saban. Can the President’s Nick Saban Commission fix it, or are we kidding ourselves?
If CFB Has a Problem, Can the Saban Commission Fix It?
The President Forms the Saban Commission
President Trump was in Tuscaloosa two weeks ago to give the commencement address at the University of Alabama. During his visit, he visited with Tuscaloosa’s head of state, Nick Saban. According to reports by Yahoo’s Ross Dellenger, the two men talked about the state of college football and what needs to be done to “fix” its problems. Once Trump returned to Washington, D.C., he began working on creating the Saban Commission to fix college football’s problems. Saban and Texas Tech Booster extraordinaire Cody Camble would head up the committee.
What Are The Problems Surrounding College Football?
The Saban Commission will reportedly be tasked with trying to “fix” some of the problems surrounding football. Here is a high-level overview of the four main issues from sources close to the White House. We’ve also included some juicy sound bites from some of the voices of college football related to each problem.
Transfer Portal & Player Movement
College athletes switch schools more frequently, making it harder for teams to build chemistry and stability. Critics say it’s starting to feel more like professional free agency than college sports.
“It’s free agency without contracts. That’s what we’re dealing with.” — Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss Head Coach
“We’ve created a system where players leave not because of playing time but because someone else gave them a better deal. That’s not college athletics.”— Dabo Swinney, Clemson Head Coach
Booster Compensation & NIL
Athletes can earn money through endorsements, but wealthy boosters use NIL as a loophole to pay athletes to attend certain schools. With few regulations, this has created a chaotic and unequal system.
“The NCAA said NIL wasn’t supposed to be pay-for-play. That’s exactly what it has become.” — Nick Saban, Former Alabama Head Coach
“It’s not NIL anymore, it’s just ‘pay to come play here.’ If we don’t regulate this, we’ll lose what makes college football special.” — Kirk Herbstreit, ESPN Analyst
College Athlete Employment & Title IX
There’s increasing pressure to classify athletes as employees and give them a share of revenue. However, this creates financial and legal challenges, especially regarding Title IX, which requires gender equity in college sports.
“If we go the employee route, we’ll have to cut sports. That’s not a threat. That’s math.” — Jack Swarbrick, Notre Dame Athletic Director
Olympic Sports, Conference Realignment & TV Deals
Football and TV money drive schools to change conferences and chase bigger media deals. This risks Olympic and non-revenue sports and disrupts long-standing rivalries and regional traditions.
“The Olympic sports will suffer if we only chase football money. We need to protect the full college athletics model.”
— Greg Sankey, SEC Commissioner“These TV-driven realignments are tearing apart regional rivalries and traditions. What are we really building here?”— Pat McAfee, ESPN Analyst and former player
Helper Rather Than Fixer
In pure Washington, D.C. fashion, the Saban Commission is over before it started. Saban went on Finebaum, the SEC’s head-of-state, this week. During the interview, Saban put the committee pretty much on ice. First, he pleaded the 5th and told Finebaum that the details of the committee were still fuzzy, and he doubted that it really needed to exist. “I don’t know much about the commission, first of all.” Saban said. Second of all, I don’t think we really need a commission.” Saban further said that even if there is a problem, he would much rather take on the helper role than be the fixer. “I don’t think I should be the tip of the spear…I would just like to help anyone who seeks to fix it.”
When Do We Kick?
College football is changing and evolving at a rapid pace. Far faster and more extreme than most fans may be comfortable with. The challenge is seeing what “can” or “should” be done about the issues. The issues are probably beyond a Presidential commission. Saban should have a voice, but from the sounds of it, he does not want to be the only or at least the most prominent one. We are not putting the genie back in the bottle. NIL/revenue sharing is here to stay. It may be called other things, but that money will not move or leave. Too many boosters and state representatives aren’t willing to see State U struggle or be forced to step back. The Transfer Portal is problematic, but putting in restrictions will be tough. We are more likely to see contractual obligations help in the rapid and seemingly continuous movement we have seen.
With all of this, let’s remember. There is a reason we love this game. Maybe we grew up going to the games. Perhaps we met our sweethearts in the student section. Whatever it is, there is a bond that brings us back each fall. So no matter how bad it may seem or how the sky may be seemingly falling, it’s important to breathe. College football is now less than 100 days away. Don’t fall for the clicks. We don’t need the Saban Commission. We need to make sure we have our tickets and tailgate snacks ready.
Main Image: Gary Cosby Jr.
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