Ex-Bama coach Saban buys stake in NHL’s Preds

Football

Nashville Predators vs. St. Louis Blues: Game Highlights (1:18)

Nashville Predators vs. St. Louis Blues: Game Highlights (1:18)

  • ESPN News Services

Dec 16, 2025, 02:50 PM ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Former Alabama football coach and current ESPN college football analyst Nick Saban has purchased a minority stake in the NHL’s Nashville Predators.

Predators chairman and majority owner Bill Haslam announced Tuesday the purchase made by Dream Sports Ventures LLC, an entity controlled by Saban and business partner Joe Agresti.

“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 Predators. “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 and Agresti are partners in the Dream Motor Group that features 10 car dealerships, including two in Nashville. They’re partners in several other business ventures as well.

Saban stepped down as Alabama’s coach after the 2023 season. He posted a 297-71-1 record in 28 years as a coach and won seven national titles — one at LSU and six at Alabama.

Haslam was governor of Tennessee from 2011-19. He became chairman of the Predators on July 1, 2024, and took over as majority owner of the franchise on July 3 of this year.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read More Larisa Wrona

Latest

Puddin AI is the new homework monitor, and Kyushu University is testing it on students

TOKYO, June 14 — An artificial intelligence startup has developed a system that analyses academic papers to determ...

Democrats maintain an edge in the fight for Congress as Trump gets poor marks

President Donald Trump’s poor approval rating continues to weigh down his party ahead of the midterms — though the GOP has a slim measure of separation from the president, with Democrats holding a 5-point lead in the battle for control of Congress, according …

Lenovo Built the AI Engine Behind the 2026 World Cup — Here’s How It Performed on Opening Night

For the global tech industry, the real story was unfolding behind the broadcast feed. Every one of those pivotal moments — the early goal, the VAR-reviewed red cards, the offside checks — ran through AI systems built and deployed by Lenovo, FIFA's official technology partner and the first Chinese company ever to occupy that role

Rotunda row should spark debate on what we want maternity services to be under Sláintecare

Before the government quickly moves on, let’s have a look at what is offered in the public system today and start a conversation about what the goal is for public maternity services...

Newsletter

Don't miss

Puddin AI is the new homework monitor, and Kyushu University is testing it on students

TOKYO, June 14 — An artificial intelligence startup has developed a system that analyses academic papers to determ...

Democrats maintain an edge in the fight for Congress as Trump gets poor marks

President Donald Trump’s poor approval rating continues to weigh down his party ahead of the midterms — though the GOP has a slim measure of separation from the president, with Democrats holding a 5-point lead in the battle for control of Congress, according …

Lenovo Built the AI Engine Behind the 2026 World Cup — Here’s How It Performed on Opening Night

For the global tech industry, the real story was unfolding behind the broadcast feed. Every one of those pivotal moments — the early goal, the VAR-reviewed red cards, the offside checks — ran through AI systems built and deployed by Lenovo, FIFA's official technology partner and the first Chinese company ever to occupy that role

Rotunda row should spark debate on what we want maternity services to be under Sláintecare

Before the government quickly moves on, let’s have a look at what is offered in the public system today and start a conversation about what the goal is for public maternity services...

Swiss voters decide on proposal to cap population at 10 million

Geneva: Voters in Switzerland are casting ballots on a proposal to cap the country’s population at 10 million, in a closely watched referendum driven by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party.The initiative, described as the “sustainability initiative,” aims to limit population growth by requiring the government to take measures to ensure the population does not exceed

Want Your Business to Be Seen Everywhere? Meet Tonia Ryan, Creator of Fix Your Search

Some people are good at their jobs. Then there is Tonia Ryan, who has turned “getting found online” into something close to magic. She is the creator of Fix Your Search, and if you have ever wondered why some businesses pop up everywhere while others seem invisible...

Grey Business processes $61 million as stablecoins dominate payments

Grey Business enables startups and SMEs to open US Dollar (USD) corporate accounts, send and receive international payments, convert currencies, and transact using stablecoins such as USDC and USDT...

Utah Marketers to Host Free Business Networking Event in Layton on June 24

The custom web design company is hosting free monthly networking events for Northern Utah business leaders, with the next event scheduled for June 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. Utah Marketers is hosting a free local business networking event on June 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the company’s Layton office. The event is