Texas A&M pleaded with SEC to discipline Nick Saban, Alabama during NIL feud with Jimbo Fisher
Nick Saban has been around the game for quite some time, but he rarely ever has any enemies. Sure, programs and fans don’t like him for various reasons; however, it is extremely rare for a coach to publicly voice their distaste for one of the greatest coaches to ever impact the game.
Texas A&M‘s Jimbo Fisher did just that. Saban spoke at a World Games event in Birmingham, where he talked about Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) and how it has changed the college football landscape. In a brief rant, Saban mentioned specific programs, highlighting the Aggies.
While there is plenty more to the story that included a solo press conference to call someone else a narcissist, a public apology and an awkward meetup in Destin, Florida, a new chapter has been unearthed.
On3 recently sent in an open-records request and uncovered an email sent from the Texas A&M University president, Katherine Banks, and Aggies athletic director, Ross Bjork to Greg Sankey, the SEC commissioner.
“We write to express Texas A&M University’s disappointment and outrage at the recent statements made by Alabama University [sic] Head Football Coach Nick Saban that ‘A&M bought every player on their team-made a deal for Name, Image, Likeness,’” Bjork and Banks’ email to Sankey stated.
“Coach Saban’s statement was a blatant violation of SEC bylaws regarding sportsmanship. More significantly, without citing any facts to support his statement, Coach Saban is accusing every, single player in Texas A&M’s recruiting class and current football team of violating NCAA NIL guidelines and Texas state law.
“Coach Saban’s statement is false, beneath the dignity of the SEC, and corrosive to the fabric of sportsmanship in college football as a whole and especially within the SEC. We expect the league to take strong, public action against Coach Saban and the University of Alabama to demonstrate that such unprofessionalism and disrespect for Texas A&M’s student-athletes, coaches, and the university as a whole, will not be tolerated. A public apology from Coach Saban to Coach Fisher, Aggie Football, and Texas A&M University is a good starting point, but the league should also consider monetary and participation penalties against Coach Saban.
“Thank you for your concern and prompt attention to this serious matter.”
Ultimately, both Saban and Fisher were reprimanded by the SEC. Everyone knows, though, that the Oct. 8 matchup between the two programs in Tuscaloosa will only add more fuel to the fire.
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