You know, it just seems like yesterday when the entire sports world was shocked and outraged at the fact that Alabama would pay someone $4 million per year to coach football at the University of Alabama.
I can recall sportswriters, ESPN media types, and other schools' fans calling Alabama fools for shelling out that kind of money for a football coach named Nick Saban.
Well, who looks foolish now?
Alabama's investment is paying off like the Powerball lottery!
Alabama has gone from the outhouse to the penthouse in 20 short months. Leave it to some good old boys from down south to know a real bargain when they see one.
Check out the return on our investment
Contributions are up!
Ticket sales are up!
Television revenue is up!
Licensed Alabama merchandise sales are up.
Enrollment is up!
Fan morale is up!
Student morale is up!
Recruiting is up.
BCS ranking is up!
Outlook on life is up!
You name it, it is up!
Alabama is making money above and beyond Coach Saban's salary at a record pace!
Have a look at these numbers.
The football program generated just over $43 million for 2006 (about the same as the previous year), including $14 million in outside contributions, according to documents obtained by the Associated Press under an open records request.
Last year, the program had revenues of more than $53 million, a jump of some 19 percent. The contributions rose even more dramatically, up 28 percent to $19.5 million. And that was before the Tide really started winning.
Now I am not a math major, but that is about a $15.5 million increase. All for paying Nick Saban a little more than an average coach.
Alabama's season ticket sales now have a 10,000 person waiting list. These are seats that come with a $100.00 to $2000.00 per seat contribution requirement.
For those of you that doubted Alabama's wisdom in paying Saban $4 million a year to coach college kids football, ask yourself this question:
If it were your money, would you rather invest $4 million in a proven coach, or gamble $2 million on a long shot?
I think you know the answer to that question.
The old saying "you get what you pay for" applies here, and believe me, we are ecstatic with our investment.
With the Stock Market destroying 401k and retirement portfolios, it would seem that there are still great investments out there to be had.
Yes, it has been a wonderful deal for both Coach Saban and Alabama.
He got a great school with great tradition and a loyal fanbase—a place he can write his name in the history books.
We got the most talented coach in all of college football to lead Alabama back to Glory.
Just think, Coach Saban actually took a cut in pay to come back and coach college kids at Alabama. Most people would find that admirable.
Some people down in South Florida just didn't see it that way. They seemed a bit hurt and angry about Saban's choice.
Those folks had nothing but insults and accusations for Alabama and Coach Saban. Yes, I am talking about people like Don Shula, Bob Griese, and especially you Dan Le Batard. I know you fellows were only thinking of your own self-interests at the time.
Please don't feel bad. We Alabama fans got over it.
Can I ask you guys a question? What do you think about us now?
Just like in life, you get what you pay for. If you buy a used Plymouth you just won't go very far. On the other hand, if you purchase a Rolls Royce and you might just go all the way!
Coach Saban, college football's first $4 million man. Worth every damn dime!
We're going to send you the most entertaining Alabama Crimson Tide Football articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
54 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete