Nick Saban stars in new TV ad advocating for Cruz, Cantwell NCAA bill

Former college football coach Nick Saban is staring in a new advertisement advocating for the Protect College Sports Act, the bipartisan bill that would regulate college sports backed by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.)

In the ad, set to run during the first week of college football games this weekend, Saban says the bill would “end” the “chaos” around issues concerning name, image and likeness endorsement money, and that it also “protects athletes” and women’s sports.

“Join the winning team today and help Congress protect American tradition,” the multi-championship-winning coach says during the 30-second ad .

Saban is one of several major college sports figures who has voiced support for the bill, which would grant the NCAA sweeping antitrust protection and help it better enforce its rules on eligibility, revenue sharing and the transfer portal.

But some critics say the legislation hands the NCAA too much power and would create a system where only top universities benefit from the new rules governing college sports.

Saban spoke to a Senate panel earlier this summer, during which he explained the changes he has seen in college sports during his decades as a coach, conceding the bill being put forth by Cruz and Cantwell “isn’t perfect, and many adjustments need to be made. But this is a serious effort to bring order to a system that badly needs fixing.”

The legislation is expected to face a crucial vote in the Senate when lawmakers return from August recess later this month.