Hold onto your hats, sports fans! Nick Saban, the legendary coach, recently stepped away from the gridiron to discuss a surprising new venture: becoming a part-owner of the NHL's Nashville Predators. This revelation, shared on the Pat McAfee Show, offers a fascinating glimpse into Saban's expanding interests beyond football.
Published: December 18, 2025, 1:45 p.m.
By Creg Stephenson | cstephenson@al.com
Saban's foray into the world of hockey isn't entirely out of the blue. He already has business ties in Nashville through Dream Motor Group, which operates Mercedes Benz and Ferrari dealerships. Partnering with Joe Agresti, they've joined forces with the Predators, a team primarily owned by Bill Haslam, a former Tennessee governor and truck stop magnate.
Saban shared his enthusiasm, stating, "It was an opportunity for me, really, with Mr. Haslam... I love hockey. I think hockey is a great investment. They have a salary cap and it’s a growing sport. I think there’s a lot of interest in the sport. And Nashville is a great city. We have businesses there." He added, "I’m kind of a fan and look forward to being a part of the team, which I think they have the structure there to rebuild this team. I’m excited about being a part of it. I don’t know enough about hockey to really coach anybody how to play it, but I know enough about successful organizations that hopefully can contribute something to the organization in a positive way."
But here's where it gets controversial... McAfee playfully ribbed Saban about his investment, considering the Predators' loss to McAfee's hometown Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals. Saban, originally from West Virginia, confessed to receiving a flood of negative emails from Penguins fans after wearing a Predators jersey during a playoff game. This anecdote highlights the passionate, sometimes divided, nature of sports fandom.
Shifting gears, Saban also previewed the upcoming College Football Playoff matchup between Alabama and Oklahoma. The Crimson Tide is set to face Oklahoma, a team that previously defeated them 23-21 during the regular season. Saban emphasized that avoiding critical errors would be key to an Alabama victory in the rematch.
"The pressure package that (Oklahoma has) …I think that was a big difference in the first game," Saban noted. He explained that when Alabama successfully blocked Oklahoma's pressures, they made explosive plays. However, when they faltered, it led to costly sacks, fumbles, and interceptions. He pointed out that Alabama had over 400 yards of offense compared to Oklahoma's 200, but three turnovers resulted in 17 points for Oklahoma, significantly impacting the game.
Saban believes that Alabama's ability to handle Oklahoma's defensive pressure will be crucial. "If you can get to the back end of Oklahoma’s defense, I think you’ve got a chance to make plays, which was evident in the first game." He emphasized that Oklahoma thrives on capitalizing on game-changing plays.
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, who was a Heisman frontrunner earlier in the season, saw a decline in his performance later on. Saban attributed this to increased pressure and sacks affecting the quarterback. "(Simpson is) very capable. But I’ve always said this quarterback’s a hard position to play — maybe the hardest position in sports — if the people around you don’t play well," Saban stated. He believes that improved offensive line play and run support will help Simpson regain his earlier form.
Kickoff for the Alabama-Oklahoma game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central Time on Friday in Norman, Oklahoma, and will be broadcast live on ABC and ESPN.
Creg Stephenson, a sports writer for AL.com, primarily covers college sports in Alabama, including South Alabama and Troy athletics, and writes in-depth historical features.
What do you think? Are you surprised by Saban's move into hockey? Do you agree with his assessment of the Alabama-Oklahoma game? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
