Since President Donald Trump spoke at the University of Alabama’s commencement ceremony earlier this month, speculation has swirled about his potential executive action to reshape college sports.
The centerpiece of that speculation was a proposed presidential commission on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) reform — a panel Trump was expected to create via executive order, with former Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban rumored to be a central figure.
However, that plan is now reportedly on hold.
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According to new reporting from Pete Nakos of On3 and Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports—who first broke news of the commission—Trump’s NIL commission has been paused, at least for now.
“Expectation is commission will eventually be formed,” Nakos wrote Thursday, “but is being delayed as U.S. Senator Ted Cruz works to push through federal legislation.”
The pause also comes amid an impending legal settlement in the House that could dramatically alter the future of NIL in college athletics.
That settlement could determine whether student-athletes are legally deemed employees and entitled to a share of the revenue they help generate — effectively professionalizing college sports.
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With that uncertainty in play, Trump appears to be giving lawmakers and the courts time to act before launching any executive initiative.
Saban has subtly downplayed the idea of needing a formal commission. Appearing last week at the Regions Tradition golf tournament in Birmingham, he surprised some by distancing himself from the rumored role.
“I know there’s been a lot of stuff out there about some commission or whatever. I don’t think we need a commission. I’ve said that before,” Saban said. “I think we know what the issues are, we just have to have people who are willing to move those and solve those and create some solutions for some of those issues.”
Speaking Tuesday at a Nick’s Kids charity golf tournament, Saban clarified that while he doesn’t see a commission as fundamentally necessary, he remains open to helping however he can.
“I’m all for being a consultant to anybody who would think that my experience would be beneficial to helping create some of those solutions,” he said.
“I know President Trump is very interested in athletics. He’s very interested in college athletics. He’s very interested in maintaining the idea that people go to college to create value for the future in terms of how they develop as people, students, graduation rate, as well as having a balanced, competitive playing field,” Saban said. “If I can be a consultant to anyone who might be able to help the future of college athletics, I would be more than happy to do that.”
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.