Nick Saban talks NIL ahead of meeting with Congress, wants to ‘create some competitive balance’

Nick Saban talks NIL ahead of meeting with Congress, wants to ‘create some competitive balance’

Nick Saban is part of an SEC contingent headed to Washington on Wednesday to lobby Congress for federal assistance in regulating NIL.

The Alabama coach shared his thoughts with The Associated Press on Tuesday about the goal of the trip.

“I think that the whole idea is, we want to provide information based on our experience, so that maybe people that are involved in the House and Senate both sort of have an idea of what the issues really are and how it can impact and affect college football in the future,” Saban said.

Saban stressed the trip is about educating, and he wants to see a more balanced system.

“I don’t know exactly what the answer is, but I think if we can get more people aware of what the issues are for them to have input on how we can sort of create a model that would help create some competitive balance but still give people opportunities to use their name, image and likeness to earn, I think, will be a good thing,” Saban said.

Saban and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey are among a group of SEC coaches, university presidents and athletic directors who will meet with lawmakers. The goal is to get federal assistance in regulating how college athletes can earn money off their name, image and likeness.

The SEC confirmed the trip to The AP at the end of the league’s spring meetings in Destin on Thursday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.