Video killed the radio star, or in this case two new ideologies killed the zest of former Alabama coach Nick Saban.
Four months ago, the legendary college coach retired, and pundits are blaming the NIL and transfer portal.
The Name, Image and Likeness policy allows college players the opportunity to make big money, something foreign to old school coaches.
Analyst Verne Lundquist recently explained why Saban may have pulled the plug.
"The two biggest changes, both of which helped drive Nick Saban into retirement, are transfer portal and NIL," Lundquist told Pardon My Take hosts Big Cat and PFT Commenter.
"These kids now [ask], ‘How much are you gonna pay me?’ Or ‘If you don’t pay me or if you don’t guarantee I’m starting and pay me, I’m transferring, I’m going to Central Michigan.’ And I think Nick has now said, ‘Yeah, that drove me nuts.’"
Lundquist continued, "I’m pretty good friends with him. You do that many Alabama games over the years and I would say we’re friends. I know we are," Lundquist postulated.
"You worry about does that impede on any prejudicial comments you might make? I hope not. I think I’m a better broadcaster than that," Lundquist said of his ability to call games with Saban on the sideline. "But I used to worry about that because I admire him. Nick is one of my favorites…He’d get on the local reporters at those press conferences and just belittle them and I thought, ‘Nick, you’re better than that."
Saban will now join the likes of Bill Belichick in the media booth and is likely to see as much success there as on the park. And trust me, he will want his naming and image rights monies due to him.
