On Monday, legendary Alabama football coach Nick Saban thanked President Donald Trump for his leadership in reining in college sports.
Trump recently signed an executive order, called "Urgent National Action to Save College Sports," that proposes five‑year eligibility limits, a one‑time transfer rule and protections for women's sports.
Saban, who cited the state of college athletics with the transfer portal and NIL for his seemingly abrupt retirement two years ago, praised the order, telling Fox News Channel's "Fox & Friends" that it was important to "preserve opportunities for all sports." He said that without the order, college athletics was facing "chaos."
"Well, nothing really works long term without some kind of regulations. You know, something that allows universities to preserve opportunities for all sports, including women's and Olympic sports, not just football and basketball."
"I want to thank the president for showing leadership and creating a roundtable, which consisted of college presidents, commissioners, athletic directors, coaches, to gather information as to what could help create some regulation that would help us manage and fund all sports, so that we can continue to create opportunities for young people."
Saban went on to question how helpful it was for players to transfer multiple times, and he touted certain aspects of the order, such as revenue sharing, post-career medical care, and protection against overreaching agents.
The coach went on to urge members of Congress to unite in nonpartisan legislation to create antitrust legislation to prevent future lawsuits to fight eligibility and transfer issues.
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