Saban's compensation was $11.13M in '17, making him the highest-paid coach in college footballGETTY IMAGES
Alabama football coach Nick Saban agreed to a contract extension with the school that "extends his term" through the '25 season, with his compensation set to "increase $400,000 per year," according to Tommy Deas of the TUSCALOOSA NEWS. The new deal "includes an $800,000 bonus for signing (and retroactively for winning last season's national championship)" and "future bonuses in the same amount" for completing the '19-21 seasons. Saban's compensation through the '21 season will be $8.3M per year, "including the bonuses." Saban's compensation was $11.13M in '17, making him the highest-paid coach in college football" (TUSCALOOSA NEWS, 7/28). The AP's John Zenor noted Saban's eight-year deal is "worth at least" $74.4M, which would "give Saban college football's highest annual salary" at $9.3M per year if the 66-year-old completes the deal (AP, 7/28).
SABAN EFFECT: In Alabama, Cecil Hurt wrote people in Tuscaloosa "see the Saban Effect on the university campus every day." There are other factors in the "booming enrollment and higher admission standards." Branding is the "name of the game, though, and UA uses the football brand to strong effect." The "most intriguing aspect" of Saban's extension for most UA observers "wasn't the dollars ... It was the years." Hurt: "Will Saban really be on the sidelines through 2025?" Saban "doesn't show any signs of slowing down," and as long as he is "given the resources to win, there is little need to look elsewhere" (TIDESPORTS.com, 7/28).
CAN'T PUT A PRICE ON SUCCESS: FORBES' Kristi Dosh noted both the "finances of the athletic department and the profile of the student body have seen positive impacts" since Saban's arrival at UA. Key revenue categories are "up significantly" since FY '08, including "ticket sales (32.5%), contributions (10.6%) and rights/licensing fees (208%)." Overall revenue is up 40.8%. Though expenses have risen, they "haven't risen as sharply as revenues." The UA athletic department has "seen expenses increase" by 28.6% since Saban's hiring, including a 98.6% "increase in coaching and staff salaries" (FORBES.com, 7/28).
