Justin Casterline/Getty Images

Legendary Football Coach Nick Saban Joins NHL Ownership Group

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Dec 16, 2025 3:26 PM ET

Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban has stayed pretty busy since retiring two years ago. While Miss Terry may be keeping him from taking a coaching job, he's adding a new job to his workload: NHL owner.

On Tuesday, the Nashville Predators hockey team announced that Saban has acquired a minority stake in the team through his Dream Sports Ventures company with business partner Joe Agresti.

"Dream Sports Ventures LLC, an entity controlled by Nick Saban and Joe Agresti, recently closed on the purchase of a minority stake in the Nashville Predators, franchise chairman and majority owner Bill Haslam announced today. Saban and Agresti join a passionate ownership group, comprised primarily of Predators season ticket holders and local residents," the Predators announced on Tuesday.

Smashville just got that much better

Nick Saban and partner Joe Agresti have joined the #Preds ownership group via Dream Sports Ventures LLC with a minority stake in the franchise!

» https://t.co/6Y5EK0I6qA pic.twitter.com/1FXqW4O5tx
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) December 16, 2025

Saban said that he's always wanted to be involved in a Nashville-based sports team and praised team owner Bill Haslam for giving him the chance to make that a reality.

“Although I am now retired as a coach, I still possess a competitive nature and a great passion for sports,” Saban said. “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.”

NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 27: Nashville Predators fans arrive for Game Six of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Carolina Hurricanes at Bridgestone Arena on May 27, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)John Russell/Getty Images

“I am really looking forward to having Coach Nick Saban and Joe Agresti as a part of our ownership group,” Haslam said in the announcement. “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.”

The Predators haven't been a particularly good team for a few years now though. Chances are it may be a while before we see Nick Saban touching the Stanley Cup - or any major NHL trophy for that matter.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: