Nick Saban, a seven-time national championship coach in college football, has joined the NHL’s Nashville Predators as a minority owner. The team announced Tuesday afternoon on social media that Saban and business partner Joe Agresti have purchased an undisclosed stake in the franchise.

In a news release, Saban cited his “competitive nature and a great passion for sports” as a reason to buy into the Predators with his and Agresti’s Dream Sports Ventures entity.

“Being involved in a sports team in Nashville has always been a goal,” Saban said.

Words from the wise 🤝

Legendary coach Nick Saban on joining the #Preds ownership group! pic.twitter.com/YeFUEbYJ51

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) December 16, 2025

Saban, who won his record number of national championships at Louisiana State University and the University of Alabama, retired from coaching in January 2024 with 297 victories. He is part of the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame’s class.

Saban currently works for ESPN as part of “College GameDay.”

Agresti is CEO of Dream Motor Group, which the Predators’ statement said has 10 locations. He and Saban have been business partners since 2014, the news release said.

The Predators’ majority owner is multibillionaire Bill Haslam, who served as Tennessee’s governor from 2011 to 2019. His brother is Jimmy Haslam, who owns the NFL’s Cleveland Browns and MLS’ Columbus Crew, and he also has a stake in the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.

Bill Haslam ascended to the majority ownership of the Predators on July 3. He became the team’s chairman on July 1, 2024.

“Coach is one of the all-time greats in college football history and one of the winningest coaches in all of sports,” Haslam said. “We are excited to have him join us in our pursuit of championships on the ice in Nashville.”

Forbes ranked the Predators as the NHL’s 24th most valuable franchise at an estimated $1.6 billion.

Founded in 1997 and beginning play the next year, the Predators have never won the Stanley Cup. However, they did reach the 2017 Cup Final, losing in six games to the Pittsburgh Penguins.