Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban has been a vocal supporter of the Protect College Sports Act, introduced in May by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.). However, his latest push, along with Cruz’s backing, has drawn heavy criticism from college football fans.
Fans Unleash on Nick Saban and Ted Cruz Over College Sports Bill
After being a longtime advocate of the Protect College Sports Act, Saban has now taken on the role of spokesperson for the legislation. In a newly released commercial promoting the bill, he emphasized that college athletics are deeply rooted in tradition and argued that those traditions deserve protection.
Saban said the Protect College Sports Act would end the NIL uncertainty surrounding college athletics by protecting student-athletes and teams while preserving women’s sports and Olympic programs. He encouraged viewers to join the winning team and urged Congress to take action to protect what he described as a winning tradition.
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Cruz shared the commercial on X, saying that no one understands college sports or what is at stake better than Saban. Cruz also reinforced his support for the legislation, arguing that Congress needs to step in to save college football.
According to Cruz, the Protect College Sports Act would bring stability to the sport and help preserve college athletics for future generations.
However, plenty of college football fans were not convinced by Cruz’s argument.
“Can’t even pass the save act, now you want to screw up college sports. Stay in your lane,” one said.
Can’t even pass the save act, now you want to screw up college sports. Stay in your lane.
— Jerry Sam (@JerrySam552788) September 3, 2026
“Saban wants the bag man era back. Wanna fix college sports? Make them actual student athletes again,” a person said.
Saban wants the bag man era back
Wanna fix college sports?
Make them actual student athletes again— Chris Layton (@LaytonsHistory) September 3, 2026
“Do you really think there were not AL bagmen before NIL?” one exclaimed.
The Protect College Sports Act would grant the NCAA an antitrust exemption to enforce several rules that have faced legal challenges in recent years, including a rule prohibiting former professional athletes from playing in college. Cruz previously described it as “the last best hope we have to save college sports.”
However, that argument has also drawn criticism from fans who believe Congress should stay away from college athletics altogether.
The act would provide the NCAA with an antitrust exemption to enforce several rules that have been challenged in court in recent years. Cruz earlier told ESPN that it’s the only bipartisan bill that exists and called it “the last best hope we have to save college sports.”
However, many fans think the political landscape shouldn’t reach into college sports.
“Congress needs to stay out of College sports,” a fan said.
Congress needs to stay out of College sports.
— Marc (@kmbsdusa) September 3, 2026
“Maybe you should be concentrating on your constituents that are being flooded out of their homes and losing everything instead of sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong, Cancun Cruz,” a netizen said.
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Saban has also been floated as co-chair of a presidential commission on college athletics and has discussed the issue directly with Trump, who has repeatedly expressed his desire for legislation to bring greater stability to the college athletics landscape.
Meanwhile, the legislation was moving closer to a vote in the Senate after advancing through committee, with a markup that put it on track for consideration on the Senate floor.
