Shane Gillis Calls Out Nick Saban, SEC for Paying Players on College GameDay – Watch

Few, if any comedians are bigger than Shane Gillis right now but it doesn't seem like he was joking

Comedian Shane Gillis waves to the spectators at the Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey wedding at the Watch Hill Chapel and reception to follow at at the Ocean House in Westerly, RI on Saturday, June 29, 2024. / Marc Vasconcellos/The Enterprise / USA TODAY NETWORK

ESPN's College GameDay was at Notre Dame ahead of the epic showdown between the Fighting Irish and Indiana and comedian Shane Gillis was selected as the guest picker for the show.

Gillis didn't wait until the picks segment at the end of the show to contribute as he was also there for the students attempts to kick a field goal to win Pat McAfee's money. During that, Gillis dropped a bomb of sorts on the SEC and Nick Saban, saying Notre Dame now has a chance in the big games because of NIL.

Take a watch below.

“Now that everybody can pay their players Notre Dame has a shot. Not just the SEC and Coach Saban.” - Shane Gillis on Gameday 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/vPwu2Khunn

— Karter Baughan (@karterb8) December 21, 2024

Nick Saban Seemingly None Too Pleased with Shane Gillis Comment

The Gillis comment drew laughs at the time but obviously some at ESPN didn't find it quite as funny. When Gillis returned for the picks segment, he backtracked his statement by saying it was just a joke while also calling Saban an incredible name.

Again, take a watch.

Shane Gillis calls Nick Saban ‘Alabama Jones’ while saying SEC never paid players before NIL

“That’s how we cheated, we developed players”- Saban 😂pic.twitter.com/db28YlnwcD

— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) December 21, 2024

The nervousness on that set is obvious and Saban throws out the NFL card but let's not kid ourselves, either.

Yes, development is clearly key but getting those players to commit to your program isn't always as easy as just saying "NFL".

Good for Gillis for saying what nobody at ESPN ever would but I'm going to guess that Notre Dame's favorite current comedian isn't going to be welcomed back. That said, Gillis went out with a bang as he made his pick of Notre Dame by throwing a jab at Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti.

THE PICKS ARE IN ‼️ @PatMcAfeeShow was the only one to pick Indiana 👀 pic.twitter.com/xvbYe8cXt7

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) December 21, 2024

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