Nick Saban’s stance on pay-for-play Tuesday drew plenty of reaction – for and against – but one at least one ESPN personality defended the former Alabama coach’s stance.

Why is it Saban can make bank on college-aged players, but they can’t?

That, as Scott Van Pelt pointed out, was the common reaction to Saban this week.

“The whole idea of boosters being able to contribute to collectives which really establishes a pay-for-play model,” Saban said during an appearance on Capitol Hill at a roundtable hosted by Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas). “I don’t think is in the best interest of college athletics in the future, nor the participants — the student-athletes themselves. It doesn’t enhance them creating value for their future like we were all dedicated to for many, many years.”

Van Pelt took ESPN’s airwaves with his take.

“It’s fantastic that players get to make money now,” he said. “But every single coach, in every single revenue sport, if you’re paying attention, is saying the same thing. This is the only thing that any recruit is asking about now when they come on visits.

“I don’t believe it is pearl clutching to wonder if maybe that’s not idea. Maybe something about the school and our development there as a human being on account as part of your process and your line of thinking because overwhelmingly these athletes are going to have to find a job, which isn’t football when they leave.”

Like many, Van Pelt isn’t against players making money.

“Sure, get your money, but there is more to it,” he said. “At least, there is supposed to be.”

On Tuesday, Cruz said there’s a 50-50 chance of Congress passing legislation regulating college athletics by the end of the year. Cruz lowed his estimate of a bill getting through by the end of this session and said he and his counterparts are running out of time. The senator from Texas believes something will get done to standardize name, image and likeness and other financial aspects of college sports in the country.

His comments came after Cruz oversaw a roundtable discussion on the topic with Saban, Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne, ACC commissioner Jim Phillips and others.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.