Nick Saban, the legendary football coach now retired, is channeling his passion for sports into a new venture as a minority owner of the NHL team, the Nashville Predators. Announced on Tuesday, Saban and his business partner Joe Agresti will acquire a minority stake in the franchise, joining the new majority owner Bill Haslam, whose full ownership begins July 3, 2025. While details about the size of their ownership share weren’t disclosed, Saban expressed enthusiasm about this new chapter. He said, “Though I have retired from coaching, my competitive nature and love for sports remain strong. Partnering with Bill Haslam and becoming part of a Nashville sports team has always been a goal, and the Predators, as a reputable organization, offer a promising future.”
Saban and Agresti also engage in various business ventures, including Dream Motor Group, which operates ten car dealerships, two located in Nashville. Saban, 74, will conclude his tenure as Alabama’s football coach after the 2023 season, having secured seven national championships over his career (one at LSU and six at Alabama). Despite speculation that recent shifts in the college football coaching landscape might lure him back, he remains committed to retirement. Still, his desire to stay connected to competitive sports led him beyond his role as a college football analyst on “College GameDay” to investing in the Predators. It remains to be seen how actively involved he will be with the team moving forward.
Fan Take: Nick Saban’s entry into NHL ownership is a significant moment for hockey fans, as it brings a high-profile and fiercely competitive sports figure into the fold. His involvement could boost the Predators’ visibility and inject fresh energy and resources into the franchise, potentially shaping its future success on and off the ice.
