Nick Saban Doesn't Think Presidential Commission on College Sports Is Needed

Former college football head coach and current ESPN analyst Nick Saban doesn't believe college sports need the reported NIL commission that Donald Trump has proposed.

"I don't know a lot about the commission, first of all," he told Paul Finebaum on Wednesday. "Second of all, I don't think we really need a commission."

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey offered his own take on the matter Wednesday.

"I think what's important to remember is that's a lot of 'sources say.' I deal with reality," he told Finebaum. "There's plenty of commentary about this possible commission. ... I'm not gonna overreact or react to what's reported about commissions. I think there are a lot of wise people who can provide input."

NCAA president Charlie Baker, meanwhile, has expressed a willingness to a potential commission.

"I think the fact that there's an interest on the executive side on this, I think it speaks to the fact that everybody is paying a lot of attention right now to what's going on in college sports," he told reporters Monday. "I'm up for anything that can help us get somewhere."

Saban, who reportedly made around $125 million while coaching Alabama alone, has reportedly been pushing lawmakers to add more stringent rules regarding NIL payments to college athletes.

The NIL situation in college sports remains a complicated topic, with the House v. NCAA settlement—which would allow schools to directly pay athletes—still hanging in the balance. Whether that situation needs an executive-backed commission is another matter entirely, however.