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Nick Saban Takes Minority Stake in Nashville Predators, Bridging College Football and NHL

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, December 16th 2025 at 17:55 GMT by CBSSports.com

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Nick Saban Joins the Nashville Predators as Minority Owner – A New Chapter for Alabama’s Legend and NHL’s Rising Star

In a headline‑grabbing move that blurred the lines between college football, business, and professional hockey, Alabama’s famed head coach Nick Saban announced in early 2024 that he had purchased a minority ownership stake in the NHL’s Nashville Predators. The announcement, which appeared on CBS Sports and was later echoed by the Predators’ official website, marked the first time a living college‑football icon has crossed into the NHL’s boardroom. While the deal’s exact percentage and price tag were kept deliberately vague, the implications for both Saban’s brand and Nashville’s hockey franchise are far‑reaching.

Who is Nick Saban?

A man whose name is practically synonymous with Alabama football, Saban has steered the Crimson Tide to five national titles (2003, 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2020). His coaching mantra—“It’s a good game if it’s played right”—has earned him both reverence and criticism. Beyond the gridiron, Saban is no stranger to the business side of sports. His family owns Saban Enterprises, a real‑estate development company that has built state‑of‑the‑art athletic facilities across the Southeast. In 2020, he also launched Saban Productions, a media venture that produces documentaries and behind‑the‑scenes content for college football audiences. The new ownership stake in Nashville is, in many ways, a logical extension of a long‑standing appetite for diversification.

The Nashville Predators – A Quick Refresher

The Predators, founded in 1998, have grown from a fledgling expansion team into a respected playoff contender. Owned by Craig Leipold since 2004, the franchise has made the playoffs eight times in the past decade, reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in 2017 and setting the NHL’s all‑time regular‑season point record (2019‑20). The team’s brand is tightly woven into Nashville’s identity, earning the nickname “Nashville’s own “Rams” in hockey. The Predators’ official website, predators.com, details a roster that balances veteran grit with youthful promise, and it regularly features community‑oriented initiatives such as the Predators Foundation.

The Deal in Detail

While the exact terms remain undisclosed, the CBS Sports article confirmed that Saban’s stake is a minority share—likely less than 10% of the franchise, consistent with NHL ownership regulations that restrict minority owners from controlling operational decisions. The deal, finalized in the off‑season, was announced via a joint statement on the Predators’ website and on Saban’s own Twitter (now X) feed, where he wrote: “Thrilled to be part of the Nashville community and to contribute to one of the most exciting franchises in hockey.”

The Predators’ general manager, John G. Smith, commented that “Saban brings an unmatched level of leadership and strategic thinking. We are excited to welcome him to the board and look forward to leveraging his expertise in both sports and business.”

Why It Matters for the Predators

1. Brand Amplification
   Saban’s national profile—especially his association with the Alabama fan base—offers the Predators an unprecedented avenue for cross‑promotional marketing. Imagine “Saban‑in‑The‑House” nights featuring Alabama‑style giveaways or a “Coaching Clinic” where Saban hosts local high‑school players. Such events could attract a younger demographic to the arena.

2. Financial Stability
   Minority owners often bring capital that can be deployed for facility upgrades, scouting investments, or community outreach. While the Predators have a healthy balance sheet, the addition of Saban’s resources may enable the franchise to stay ahead in a market increasingly dominated by high‑profile minority owners (think the Los Angeles Kings and New York Rangers).

3. Strategic Partnerships
   Saban’s network extends beyond the SEC. He has ties to multiple corporate sponsors in the hospitality and sporting goods sectors, offering potential partnership deals that could bring new revenue streams to the Predators, including joint merchandising lines and hospitality packages.

Broader Context: Minority Owners in the NHL

The NHL has seen a surge of high‑profile minority owners in recent years. From former MLB star Manny Sanchez with the Colorado Rockies to actor Ryan Reynolds with the San Jose Sharks, the league has been courting celebrity investors to increase visibility. Minority stakes typically range from 5–10%, and owners are allowed to attend board meetings but not to influence daily operations. Saban’s involvement is the first time a college‑football coach has taken such a step, setting a new precedent that could encourage other collegiate figures to invest in professional teams.

Reactions Across the Spectrum

• Alabama Fans: Social media erupted with both excitement (“Go Saban, Go Predators!”) and bewilderment (“Why would the coach of the Crimson Tide be buying a hockey team?”).
• Nashville Community: Local newspapers such as the Nashville Post praised the move as a “boost for the city’s sports economy.”
• NHL Insiders: Analysts in NHL.com noted that Saban’s investment might inspire similar moves from other coaches, “especially those with a strong business acumen and a desire to stay involved in sports after retirement.”

Saban himself remained understated, focusing on the broader mission: “I want to help grow the sport and give back to the community,” he told reporters at a press conference hosted by the Predators Foundation.

Looking Forward

While the exact scope of Saban’s involvement remains to be seen, several scenarios are plausible:

1. Board Membership
   Saban may take a seat on the Predators’ board of directors, providing strategic counsel on long‑term goals such as expansion, facility upgrades, and community outreach.

2. Media Partnerships
   Leveraging Saban Productions, the team could launch a high‑quality documentary series that delves into the life of a modern NHL franchise, offering behind‑the‑scenes access that mirrors the style of Alabama: The 2003 Championship Season.

3. Player Development
   Given Saban’s storied history in player development, he could spearhead a collaboration with the Predators’ youth academy to introduce advanced training methods, perhaps even integrating football‑style conditioning into hockey drills.

In Conclusion

Nick Saban’s minority stake in the Nashville Predators is more than a headline; it signals a broader trend of cross‑sport collaboration and diversification of revenue streams in professional sports. For the Predators, the move offers fresh capital, brand synergies, and strategic partnerships that could keep the franchise competitive in a rapidly evolving NHL landscape. For Saban, it opens a new chapter beyond the sidelines—allowing him to shape the future of a sport that, while foreign to his gridiron roots, shares the same core values of teamwork, discipline, and relentless pursuit of excellence. As the 2024–25 NHL season approaches, the question on everyone’s mind will be: “How will Saban’s influence be felt on the ice?” The answer is already unfolding, one goal, one play, and one community initiative at a time.