Nick Saban supports college sports bill amid SEC, Big Ten pushback
2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 3, 2026, 4:31 PM
Last updated Jun 3, 2026
On June 3, former Alabama football coach Nick Saban testified before the Senate Commerce Committee in support of a bipartisan bill aimed at regulating college sports. The proposed legislation, introduced by Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, seeks to overhaul athlete payments, allow one free transfer, and restrict coaches from leaving during the season. While proponents hope to resolve ongoing issues in college sports, the SEC and Big Ten have expressed opposition, citing unresolved concerns. As support for the bill grows, its future in Congress remains uncertain.
- •Saban testifies at Senate hearing for college sports bill on June 3.
- •The bill would limit athletes to one free transfer and regulate payments.
- •SEC and Big Ten oppose the legislation, claiming unresolved issues.
- •Senators hope the bill can break congressional gridlock on college athletics.
- •Saban compares the current state of college sports to a speeding car heading toward a cliff.
- 4:31 PMYahoo Sports — Nick Saban lends support to Senate college sports bill amid SEC, Big Ten opposition
- 3:36 PMYahoo Sports — Nick Saban lends support to college sports bill as SEC, Big Ten push back
"Former Alabama football coach Nick Saban and other college sports figures testified Wednesday in support of a bipartisan bill aimed at overhauling a system where players can increasingly earn millions of dollars while moving freely between schools. The leaders of the Senate Commerce Committee held the hearing as they push legislation unveiled last week that supporters hope can break the congressional gridlock over how to regulate college athletics. The bill, introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., would regulate payments to athletes, limit them to one “free” transfer during their careers and create a “Lane Kiffin Rule” restricting coaches from leaving programs during the season.
"Nick Saban threw his support behind a bipartisan bill designed to regulate college sports during a Senate hearing Wednesday, less than 24 hours after the SEC and Big Ten said the legislation still needs work. The Senate Commerce Committee hearing on the Protect College Sports Act, sponsored by Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas-R) and Maria Cantwell (Wash.-D), lasted just over three hours. “I’m not here representing a conference or a team but to preserve college athletics as a whole,” Saban said in his openi
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 3, 2026, 4:31 PMNick Saban lends support to Senate college sports bill amid SEC, Big Ten opposition
Nick Saban threw his support behind a bipartisan bill designed to regulate college sports during a Senate hearing Wednesday, less than 24 hours after the SEC and Big Ten said the legislation still needs work. The Senate Commerce Committee hearing on the Protect College Sports Act, sponsored by Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas-R) and Maria Cantwell (Wash.-D), lasted just over three hours. “I’m not here representing a conference or a team but to preserve college athletics as a whole,” Saban said in his openi
- Yahoo SportsJun 3, 2026, 3:36 PMNick Saban lends support to college sports bill as SEC, Big Ten push back
Former Alabama football coach Nick Saban and other college sports figures testified Wednesday in support of a bipartisan bill aimed at overhauling a system where players can increasingly earn millions of dollars while moving freely between schools. The leaders of the Senate Commerce Committee held the hearing as they push legislation unveiled last week that supporters hope can break the congressional gridlock over how to regulate college athletics. The bill, introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., would regulate payments to athletes, limit them to one “free” transfer during their careers and create a “Lane Kiffin Rule” restricting coaches from leaving programs during the season.
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