Nick Saban may have stepped away from the sidelines, but make no mistake - his competitive fire is still burning. The legendary college football coach has found a new arena to channel that energy: the NHL. On Tuesday, the Nashville Predators announced that Saban, along with longtime business partner Joe Agresti, has purchased a minority stake in the franchise, joining forces with majority owner Bill Haslam.
Haslam officially took over majority ownership of the Predators on July 3, 2025, and now Saban and Agresti are adding their names to the ownership group. While the team didn’t disclose the size of their stake, the move marks a significant shift for Saban - from building dynasties on the gridiron to helping shape the future of a professional hockey franchise.
“Although I am now retired as a coach, I still possess a competitive nature and a great passion for sports,” Saban said in a statement. “Being involved in a sports team in Nashville has always been a goal and the opportunity to partner in the Predators with a class act like Bill Haslam created the perfect scenario for us. The Preds are a great organization with a fantastic brand, and we are excited to be part of the future success of the franchise.”
That blend of passion and precision is classic Saban. Even in retirement, he’s not one to sit still.
After stepping down from Alabama following the 2023 season - capping a career that included seven national championships (six with the Crimson Tide, one with LSU) - there was plenty of speculation about whether the 74-year-old might be tempted back into coaching. But Saban has held firm.
No headset, no sideline, no recruiting trail.
Still, anyone who’s followed his career knows that Saban isn’t wired to simply fade into the background. His current role as a college football analyst on College GameDay keeps him close to the sport, but it’s clear that wasn’t quite enough to satisfy his drive. Ownership, on the other hand, offers a new kind of challenge - one that’s more strategic than schematic, but still rooted in competition and culture-building.
Saban and Agresti have worked together on several business ventures, most notably Dream Motor Group, which operates 10 car dealerships - including two in Nashville. That local connection, combined with Saban’s deep ties to the region and his relentless pursuit of excellence, makes this move feel like a natural fit.
For the Predators, bringing in someone with Saban’s pedigree and leadership background adds another layer to their organizational DNA. He’s not coming in to call line changes or draw up power plays, but his presence - and his influence - could be felt in the boardroom, the locker room, and throughout the franchise’s culture.
How involved will Saban be in day-to-day operations? That remains to be seen.
But if his track record in college football is any indication, he won’t be content to be a silent partner. Whether it’s player development, organizational standards, or long-term vision, Saban knows what it takes to build a winner - and now he’s bringing that mindset to Smashville.
So while Nick Saban may be done coaching, he’s far from done competing. The setting may have changed, but the mission hasn’t: build something great, and do it the right way. Now, he’ll try to help the Predators chase their own version of a championship legacy - this time, from the owner’s suite.