“Nick Saban, the seven-time national championship coach, has just become a minority owner of the NHL’s Nashville Predators, bringing a football playbook to the ice.
## Saban’s Transition to Hockey
Saban’s first appearance in his new role came Monday, standing beside Predators chairman Bill Haslam. “I’m no expert in hockey, so don’t look at me like I’m going to make some huge impact coaching around here because that’s not going to happen,” Saban said. “But I do have a pretty good idea of what it takes to have successful organizations.” The statement was a clear admission that his strengths lie in building winning cultures rather than on-ice tactics.
## Ownership Details
The Predators announced Saban’s purchase on Dec. 16 through Dream Sports Ventures LLC, an entity controlled by Saban and business partner Joe Agresti. Dream Sports runs 10 car dealerships, two of which are located in Nashville. Haslam, a former Tennessee governor, was in the midst of exploring a WNBA expansion franchise when Saban expressed interest in hockey. “I thought, ‘Well, that’s the greatest no brainer of all time,'” Haslam said. “You have somebody who understands building a championship culture, who understands, I think, better than almost anybody in sports the process that’s needed to get to where you can compete as a champion.”
## Saban’s Background and Motivation
Saban grew up in West Virginia, a state with little hockey presence. His interest in the sport sparked while coaching at Michigan State, where he befriended the team’s head coach and exchanged ideas. “This is an opportunity to be involved with a team for the first time since I announced my retirement on Jan. 10, 2024,” Saban noted. He brings a decade of program building from college football and six seasons in the NFL-first under Bill Belichick in Cleveland and then as head coach of Miami. Saban described himself as a “transformational leader,” a label he has used to explain his impact on teams across sports.
## Early Involvement and Partnerships
Saban has already met with Predators coaching staff and a handful of players during what he called a minicamp. He has also had a few meetings with general manager Barry Trotz. “My goal is to support Trotz and everyone else with the Predators,” Saban said. Once the college football season ends, he indicated he will be involved as much as Haslam wants, positioning himself as a resource rather than a day-to-day decision maker.
## The Predators’ Recent Performance
Nashville’s hockey legacy includes a Western Conference title and a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2017, where they fell to Pittsburgh in six games. The team captured the Presidents’ Trophy for the 2017-18 season, yet Monday’s standings placed them 26th out of 32 NHL teams, five points shy of the second wild-card spot in the West. These numbers illustrate the gap the new ownership hopes to bridge.
## Saban’s Vision for the Team
“To be a part of the hockey team here is something special, and we’d love to build it into a championship,” Saban said. “We’d love to partner with Mr. Haslam to do anything that we can do to help this organization be successful.” His focus is on culture, structure, and long-term growth-principles that have guided his success in football.
## Key Takeaways
– Nick Saban joins Nashville Predators as minority owner, bringing football program-building expertise.
– Ownership transaction announced Dec. 16 through Dream Sports Ventures LLC, linked to Saban and Joe Agresti.
– Saban plans to support GM Barry Trotz and the team’s leadership, emphasizing culture over on-ice tactics.
Saban’s entry into the NHL marks a rare crossover between football and hockey, but his track record of creating championship environments suggests he could help the Predators close the performance gap and pursue another deep playoff run.”
