"Can he coach the team" "Did universe glitch again?": NHL fans react as ex-Alabama coach Nick Saban purchases minority ownership in Predators

The Nashville Predators have struggled to find rhythm this season and remain near the bottom of the Central Division. They hold a 13-15-4 record, with defense standing out as the main concern. Nashville allows too many goals per game and often fails to protect leads. Amid this underwhelming start, the franchise announced an ownership update that drew major attention.

Franchise chairman and majority owner Bill Haslam confirmed that Dream Sports Ventures LLC purchased a minority stake in the team. The entity is controlled by Nick Saban and Joe Agresti. Both join an ownership group made up mostly of local residents and long-time season ticket holders. The move adds business depth during a challenging stretch on the ice.

The Predators shared the news on X and welcomed the new partners publicly:

"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!"

Soon, fans reacted quickly on X, sharing their opinions.

"Can he coach the team, please?" One fan jokingly asked. "Saban?? Did the universe glitch again?" Another fan wondered. "They should let him give pep talks before big games," one fan wrote.

The Predators' announcement created buzz despite recent losses. Here are some more reactions:

"Even in retirement he still owns Tennessee teams," a fan mentioned. "First time I’ve been proud to say I’m a preds fan in awhile" one fan wrote. "I'm happy for coach Nick! This will be a great focus after leaving football performing at historic levels! Nashville is going to win more!! 🫵" A fan said.

Nick Saban's on purchasing Predators' part ownership

Nick Saban and Agresti are partners in several business ventures. Their most notable company is Dream Motor Group, a fast-growing dealer group in the southeastern United States. Speaking about the purchase, Saban said,

“Although I am now retired as a coach, I still possess a competitive nature and a great passion for sports. Being involved in a sports team in Nashville has always been a goal,...The Preds are a great organization with a fantastic brand, and we are excited to be part of the future success of the franchise.”

On the ice, Nashville continues to search for consistency in the 2025-26 NHL season. Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly lead the forward group with offensive effort. Still, special teams have lacked reliability, which has hurt close games.

While ownership changes are not going to solve the Predators' problems alone, added investment and leadership can help shape long-term direction.

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Edited by Ankit Kumar