"What is their commitment?": When Nick Saban delivered a hot take on NIL to create a balance in college football

Legendary coach Nick Saban sat down with Fox Sports' Joel Klatt for an interview in June last year. In it, Saban discussed many topics relating to college football.

This included the NIL, which is something Saban has spoken about previously. In his interview with Klatt for "The Joel Klatt Show", Saban gave his detailed view on the matter:

"We’re giving people scholarships, we’re creating NIL opportunities, but what is their commitment? There is no place in the world where you don’t have a contract. If you’re going to receive benefits, you have a contract and obligation to do a certain job. So, when you can opt out, transfer, do whatever you want, whenever you want, wherever you want, I’m not sure the balance is quite right."

The passing of the NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) was a landmark moment in college sports. It allowed for student-athletes to be paid for the use of their image, something that the NCAA had been strictly against for years.

However, in the years since, the NIL has been seen as the main reason for the many changes that have come about in college sports.

One of these changes has been made, and it's something that Saban has spoken out against – the new policy when it comes to players transferring.

Previously, if a player made more than one transfer during their college career, they would have to miss a year. Now, that rule is gone, and players are allowed to transfer as many times as they like, normally to get a better NIL deal.

Saban does not like it as it questions the players' commitment. If a player can essentially have a free reign, with no long-term commitments to the team, do they deserve to have the many benefits that a NIL deal brings?

Nick Saban on adapting to college football

Also in his interview with Joel Klatt, Saban spoke about what it takes to be successful in college football.

"You have to be flexible. If you’re flexible, then you have a willingness to adapt. I think your willingness to adapt is really important because things are always changing."

The NIL is just one thing that college football programs have had to adapt to. They are now dealing with the fallout of a mass realignment that has forever changed college football as we know it, with more moves to make and a further expanded playoff.