Alabama gives Saban new 8-year, $93.6 million contract | Sport

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama coach Nick Saban is getting a new eight-year contract worth at least $93.6 million, eclipsing the recent mega-deal with Southeastern Conference rival Kirby Smart.

The University of Alabama trustees’ compensation committee on Tuesday approved a one-year extension through Feb. 28, 2030, for Saban, 70, who led the Crimson Tide to six national titles. Saban’s average deal is $11.7 million per year, surpassing Smart’s $11.25 million salary at defending national champion Georgia.

The announcement comes in a month Smart agreed to a 10-year deal worth more than $110 million. In January, the Bulldogs defeated Alabama in the national championship game.

They join Ohio State’s Ryan Day, LSU’s Brian Kelly, Michigan State’s Mel Tucker and Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher as college football coaches who will earn at least $9 million in 2022.

Saban’s deal includes a salary and talent bonus of $9.9 million this year, with annual raises of $400,000. Saban could receive an $800,000 completion bonus at the end of February in each of the next four years, along with other bonuses.

His contract ensures that his salary will remain among the highest among college football coaches.

Saban would get a boost if his deal were less than the average combined salary of the Southeastern Conference’s three highest-paid coaches, or the average salary of five college football coaches. He would get the higher of the two averages.

Saban agreed with a three-year extension in June 2021 for $84.8 million over eight years.

Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne is getting a three-year extension through June 30, 2029, with a 5 percent raise. He will make $1.49 million this year, with his salary increasing to $1.91 million for 2028-2029.

The financial terms of the contracts become official upon formal approval by the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama System.

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