Nick Saban addresses his concerns regarding further conference expansion

As one of the oldest head coaches in college football, it’s no surprise Nick Saban isn’t the biggest fan of change. Discussing the latest in conference expansion at 2022 SEC Media Days, the Alabama skipper bemoaned decisions “based on money.”

However, Saban also believes the most important thing for the decision-makers to consider is what’s best for the fans. Butts in stadium seats are priority No. 1.

“I think traditions of college football are very important and something that we definitely should try to respect every way that we can,” Saban said. “Now I know a lot of these decisions get based on money. Like my old guy in West Virginia used to say, ‘It ain’t about the money, it’s about how much.’ And I think sometimes he’s right, and that’s why some of the things that we’re doing is happening the way it’s happening.

“But I think for fans, which we need to respect the fans in terms of competitive balance, quality of games, how many good games get played and the traditional rivalries that fans look forward to, I mean each and every year. Those things are important, because if you really want to talk about the financial aspects of the game, the fans coming to the games is the most important part of that. And the things that we can do to protect that I think are very, very important.”

Saban: ‘Competitive balance is going to be in question’

On Day 2 in Atlanta, a reporter asked Nick Saban whether he thinks about the SEC moving to 18 or 20 teams down the road. More rumors have emerged about the SEC adding teams after  USC and UCLA announced their split from the Pac-12. He said he had “no idea” and called it all hypothetical.

Still, he addressed the impact realignment as a whole has on the game.

“I do think if we move toward the mega-conference, again, that whole thing about competitive balance is going to be in question,” Saban said. “Look, I’m not here to say we should have it or we shouldn’t have it, but if we have two 20-team leagues, how’s that going to impact all the people that are not in those leagues? That’s a question for all of you to speculate and answer on. I really can’t speculate on that.”

On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.