Nick Saban addresses opt outs and transfers: ‘I’m not sure the balance is quite right’
By Keith Farner
Published:
Nick Saban told Joel Klatt during a recent conversation that there are plenty of positives in college football, mostly starting with the support the players receive. Services like mental health, academic and career support are among the off-the-field enhancements are some of the best things about college sports.
However, there’s still plenty to solve with regard to opt outs and the transfer portal, according to Saban.
“I think you have to create a balance between how much do you take and how much do you give,” Saban said. “We’re giving people scholarships, we’re creating name, image and likeness opportunities. But what is their commitment? There’s no place in the world where you don’t have a contract if you’re going to receive benefits. You have a contract and an obligation to do a certain job. When you can opt out, transfer, do whatever you want whenever you want. I’m not sure the balance is quite right.”
Saban said if someone is tentatively committed to what they’re trying to accomplish, an evaluation needs to be made about whether that’s a good thing.
“We all need to be totally committed to what our goals and aspirations are,” Saban said.
Saban said he’s never scared about people being organized to collectively bargain these issues, and said the automotive industry has made it work.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
