Texas A&M AD Responds To Nick Saban's 'Paying Players' Comments

Ross Dellenger with Sports Illustrated spoke with Texas A&M athletic director Ross Bjork on Thursday about Nick Saban's comments directed toward Jimbo Fisher and the Aggies Football program.

Bjork said that Saban’s comments violate SEC sportsmanship bylaws and he has been in discussion about the situation with commissioner Greg Sankey.

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“I don’t know why Nick Saban would say what he said except he’s threatened,” Bjork tells Sports Illustrated. “There is a saying … an emperor who loses their dynasty lashes out. He seems to be making excuses."

“There are sportsmanship bylaws in the SEC. We believe Coach Saban violated those bylaws,” Bjork says. “Everyone knows NIL is here to stay. We’ve embraced it. We have all the tools and technology. We are educating our athletes and boosters. There is all kinds of awareness here. The part that is frustrating is to say NIL is the only reason kids are choosing our program. That is hypocritical and I don’t know why we are the target."

“A&M has a huge former student base. The Aggie network is strong. We’ve rebuilt Kyle Field and joined the SEC. I guess people don’t like A&M disrupting the power base of college football.”

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