Alabama AD encourages fans to fund school's NIL: 'Now is a time for action'

Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne is encouraging fans to donate to the school's NIL fund after the Crimson Tide narrowly missed out on the College Football Playoff.

"Although we have been competitive from an NIL standpoint, our competition has us in their sights and are actively trying to surge ahead with NIL," Byrne posted on X. "You have heard examples of other teams using promises of million-dollar paydays to lure away our players or convince them not to come to Alabama. It is time for the Bama Nation to fight back."

He added, "We have been careful during this transitional period to protect our position at the top of college athletics while being mindful to listen, engage, and learn from our generous supporters, proud alumni, and unrivaled fans ... But there's a time for talk and a time for action. Now is a time for action."

Byrne directed fans to donate to "Yea Alabama," the athletic department's NIL website, to have a "legitimate product rather than booster inducements."

Different states have different NIL regulations, allowing schools to write their own policies.

Alabama has lost 14 scholarship players to the transfer portal, including starting defensive back DeVonta Smith to Notre Dame. The school currently has the fourth-best recruiting class of 2025, with 15 ESPN 300 commits.

The Crimson Tide went 9-3 in their first regular season under Kalen DeBoer, who took over for Nick Saban after the latter's retirement in January. Alabama ranked 11th in the latest AP Poll.

Alabama will finish its season against Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Dec. 31.