Buck drop: Nick Saban crashes board of NHL's Predators

Field Level Media|published: Tue 16th December, 15:17 2025

Dec. 3, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; The Nick’s Kids Foundation Teacher Excellence Awards Luncheon honored 70 teachers from across West Alabama at Tuscaloosa River Market. This was the 14th year for the awards luncheon. Nick Saban speaks during the luncheon.

Retired college football coaching legend Nick Saban finally revealed his next move: he's crashing the board with the NHL's Predators.

To be more precise, Saban and Joe Agresti were welcomed into minority ownership stakes in the Predators on Tuesday.

"Although I am now retired as a coach, I still possess a competitive nature and a great passion for sports," Saban said in a statement released by the team. "Being involved in a sports team in Nashville has always been a goal and the opportunity to partner in the Predators with a class act like Bill Haslam created the perfect scenario for us. The Preds are a great organization with a fantastic brand, and we are excited to be part of the future success of the franchise."

Saban's Dream Sports Ventures LLC -- controlled by Saban and business partner Joe Agresti -- closed on the purchase of a minority stake in the Predators "recently" according to franchise chairman and majority owner Bill Haslam. Nashville's NHL ownership group is comprised primarily of Predators season ticket holders and local residents.

"I am really looking forward to having coach Nick Saban and Joe Agresti as a part of our ownership group," Haslam said. "Coach is one of the all-time greats in college football history and one of the winningest coaches in all of sports. We are excited to have him join us in our pursuit of championships on the ice in Nashville."

Saban, 74, and Agresti have multiple joint ventures. The best known is Dream Motor Group with 10 dealerships -- two in Nashville - selling luxury cars in the southeastern United States.

Saban was a seven-time national champion as a college football coach at Alabama (six) and LSU (one). He currently works for ESPN as a college football analyst after retiring in January 2024.

--Field Level Media