How much is Nick Saban worth to Alabama?

That’s the question many have asked Tuesday after it was announced the school planned to pay him over $11 million dollars to coach in 2017 — thanks in part to a $4 million signing bonus Saban will receive. The $11 million figure makes Saban the highest-paid college football coach in the country, combined with the $6+ million going to his assistant coaches next season, Alabama is paying a hefty price to compete at the college game’s highest level.

Taking in all the money Saban and his Alabama program generate for the school, is he still worth the high dollar amount? According to SEC Network host Paul Finebaum, the answer is obviously yes.

During a Tuesday afternoon ESPN SportsCenter segment, Finebaum argued the Alabama coach is worth anywhere from $50-100 million to the school.

“He was paid $4 million dollars 10 years ago and the former head of the board of trustees at Alabama said, “it was ridiculous, outrageous, that’s CEO type money,” well look where he is today,” Finebaum said live on ESPN. “Nick Saban is worth $50 or $100 million dollars to this program when you consider what he has done. So I consider this a major bargain, but it also sets a message across college football that Nick Saban is not going anywhere. In my mind, he will finish his career at the University of Alabama.”

The fact of the matter is Saban’s true value to Alabama may not be known until he leaves the school. Considering the hefty contract extension Saban just received, it doesn’t look like that will be anytime soon.