Nick Saban again calls for NIL guardrails, says it's 'not really name, image and likeness'

Last week, in front of the House Committee on Small Business, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith noted his worries about NIL and pay for play. In a document posted on the committee’s website, he said players “asking for $5,000 just to visit has become common” when talking about what coaches experience.

Nick Saban has been adamant about the need for guardrails when it comes to NIL, saying so on numerous occasions. While he said he didn’t “know of” that situation occurring at Alabama, he reiterated his stance about not letting things get out of control.

“I don’t know of anybody that has asked us for that. But look, name, image and likeness is not really name, image and likeness,” Saban said during his Wednesday press conference. “I mean, I think we all understand what it’s become and what we allowed it to become. And I said long ago — and got very criticized for — is this what we want college football to become? So, it’s becoming what it’s becoming. And that’s okay.”

This isn’t the first time Nick Saban has addressed the state of NIL

Saban has maintained his stance in favor of players profiting off their name, image and likeness. In July 2022, he said Alabama players made $3 million via NIL. But he came under fire for his comments made about Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M at the time, pointing out NIL’s role in recruiting.

“I know the consequence is going to be difficult for the people who are spending tons of money to get players,” Saban said at a May 2022 event. “You read about it, you know who they are. We were second in recruiting last year. A&M was first. 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.”

Saban later said he didn’t intend to criticize Fisher or any programs with his comments. He was pointing out the need for “guardrails” when it comes to NIL. He didn’t want to see it turn into a pay-for-play situation, but on Wednesday, pointed out that appears to be where things are going now.

While Alabama will adjust with the landscape as needed, Saban alluded to his thoughts on more guardrails — even if he didn’t directly say it.

“I mean, we’ll just adapt and do what we have to do to be able to compete, whatever the circumstances are,” Saban said. “Do I think that it would be judicious to have some guardrails on some things? I think you can figure that one out just as well as anybody else.”

The NCAA calls on Congress for name, image and likeness legislation

The NCAA has been pushing for federal name, image and likeness legislation in Washington, D.C. for some time. Last week’s hearing in front of the House Committee on Small Business was another step in that process.

However, many of the topics discussed broke down multiple times, On3’s Pete Nakos reported. As for what’s next, it’s hard to say, especially since multiple representatives asked if the NCAA even needed help.

“Is the NCAA so inept right now that this is something Congress must legislate?” Kentucky Rep. John McGarvey said.