The “GOAT-caliber sportsperson to billionaire” pipeline is a real thing, folks. Doesn’t quite roll off the tongue, but it is. The proof is in the pudding. Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Tiger Woods are just some names in this very exclusive and even more opulent faction. Some, a la LeBron and Tiger, did it in the midst of their playing career. Others reap the rewards of the seeds they sowed later. Money pulls money. When you make $150 million in contracts over your coaching career like Nick Saban, it tends to add up over time. Not to mention money made through endorsements and other tentacles that come with being a 7x national champ. It was one such endorsement deal that has dominoed into Saban being on the cusp of breaking 10 figures.
When Mercedes-Benz opened their first major plant outside their native Germany in Tuscaloosa back in ‘13 they promptly associated themselves with the Crimson Tide. Nick Saban was part of some campaigning and events for the conglomerate. Already interested in getting into the car dealership business, Saban- through execs at Mercedes- got in touch with one Joe Agresti. He was a big player in the space, but not nearly as big as he’d become after an association with Saban. Just over a decade on, this professional relationship has blossomed. They’ve both made a killing. Agresti is already a billionaire, and Saban is following suit. The two began the Dream Motor Group, which has a multitude of car dealerships across the south and sells over 20,000 Mercedes in a year. 5 states and 2 more manufacturers later, they’re still expanding.
Forbes has just done an extensive article on the mutual comeuppance of Joe Agresti and Nick Saban.“It’s one of the best decisions I ever made,” said Saban in an excerpt. “It’s been really good for both of us.” He realized this was the perfect match right off the bat when they first met. A meeting that was scheduled for 30 minutes but lasted for 4 hours.“I interviewed Joe and didn’t interview anybody else. It’s like interviewing a good offensive coordinator—you just know it’s the right guy,” said Nick Saban.
Agresti came clean that he actually thought somebody was pranking him when Saban first called him! Agresti also told Forbes, “Coach and I get deals left and right because of our connections. Right now we’re at our all-time biggest—all our chips are on the table.” He delved into some future plans in the works. One of which may not please Bama fans all too much. Since going from strength to strength since establishing the Dream Motor group in 2014, the company has onboarded a third owner. That would be ex-Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Steve Cannon. The trio are now seeking to take their acumen and financial prosperity to the sports realm.
Per the article, Joe Agresti said he, Nick Saban and Steve Cannon are eyeing investments in ‘three or four’ sports teams in Tennessee. Although Agresti remained tight-lipped on which ones, it doesn’t rule out the Tennessee Volunteers football program. Conceded, this is somewhat far-fetched and pure speculation. But we do know how close-knit those SEC circles are. It wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility that the Vols brass and Saban have discussed something at some juncture. This sure would take “conference pride” to the next level!
Those with a rooting interest in Alabama will sure hope that’s not the case. Conversely, Vol fans and Josh Heupel probably won’t mind getting in bed with their biggest opp if he can get involved in how things are run behind the scenes. Either way, whatever team or teams Saban attaches himself to, he’s good. “Agresti—who runs the day-to-day and owns majority stakes in the dealerships—is worth $1.1 billion. Saban, a minority partner in many of the ventures, likely isn’t far behind, meaning he’s set to become the first billionaire college football coach,” read the article. Ironically, the Vols’ scenario wouldn’t be the first time Nick Saban has helped an SEC contemporary of Bama.
Nick Saban has been more candid with other SEC programs post-retirement
In a twisted turn of events, Nick Saban may have slipped up and helped the Georgia Bulldogs on the NIL front. The program that ended Alabama’s dynastic run with 2 National Championships. Nick Saban and Georgia state senator Brandon Beach attended a dinner gala before the beginning of the 2024 season. Naturally, a conversation between the pair digressed into College Football. The Dawgs, in particular.
Beach asked Saban how he can, from a legislator’s capacity, could help Kirby Smart be more successful than he’s already been. Saban, being Coach Smart’s mentor figure through his ascension from a defensive coordinator to head coach, did give some shrewd advice. So shrewd that it didn’t just flick a light bulb in the senator’s mind. It’s now an official bill.“If you want to do one thing to help Kirby with recruiting is to eliminate the state income tax on the NIL deals,” said Nick Saban. This was relayed by Beach to reporter Daniel Libit.
This wasn’t really a Eureka moment, but notable. With NIL and soon revenue sharing after the House Settlement, student-athletes have to pay taxes on what they make. Each state has its own different taxation rules. This means a player could make more or less from the same deal depending on their school. Georgia currently taxes players at 5.39%. If this went down to 0%, they’ll have another advantage in pulling recruits. Mind you, this is a school that regularly ranks in the top 3 for recruitment across the country. Nick Saban essentially helped prosper an already prosperous nemesis. Alas, his own ascension through the tax bracket as he approaches billionaire status will help him sleep easy regardless!
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