re: Has Saban now "jumped the shark"?

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No, he was telling a bunch of local business owners they need to pay up.

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Interesting and, I think, an accurate point that puts Saban's comments into context.

I'd seen the initial thread yesterday about Saban's comments, but hadn't actually watched the video of him speaking until after I read your comment. It seems clear this was a Bama-centric meeting with both Saban and Oats sharing a stage. And there are clearly boosters there (as opposed to a different group like high school coaches or the press in general) since he insinuates some of them in the crowd might end up in a position to pay a player, but will end up disappointed when that player transfers without a return on the investment.

His comments seem less whiny than some are implying, and more along the lines of an old gangster [old movie gangster specifically] who speaks to other mob bosses with concern about how the new racket (like drugs) is bad for the people in the neighborhood in contrast to the old smuggling and protection rackets that kept the neighborhood safe and peaceful [as long as everyone paid up so you didn't have to break their legs or set fire to said business].

In this context, he's just talking through the issues of the changing system to those boosters who he is-- as you put it-- telling to pay up. Clearly, though, he doesn't like the new changes-- whether he has any true interest in the purity of the game (doubtful) or just knows Texas, Texas A&M, and perhaps a few others can outspend Bama boosters.

If the above thought is correct, I doubt these comments were intended for a wider audience, and it seems a stretch to think this is 5D chess to have A&M investigated or to rein in NIL given Saban's own skeletons. I don't know if Saban is slipping or not, but perhaps he has been getting too comfortable in front of cameras in recent years.

I feel like there will be an Urban Meyeresque health scare than will run Saban. I don’t see this being the big deal some want it to be.

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In this context, he's just talking through the issues of the changing system to those boosters who he is-- as you put it-- telling to pay up. Clearly, though, he doesn't like the new changes-- whether he has any true interest in the purity of the game (doubtful) or just knows Texas, Texas A&M, and perhaps a few others can outspend Bama boosters.

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This is exactly what he was saying but people are refusing to look into the context of his comments.

Bama has surely paid players. No doubt about it. But I would venture they generally wait until they're on campus.

In contrast A&M was throwing money at recruits like crazy with the new NIL. I think they were probably doing it differently than many. They were and are definitely operating in a bit of a gray area. I think Saban and Bama really weren't doing the same type of thing because they have the draw to a recruit more than money. So he is now basically saying if A&M can operate in this way we need to as well.

Folks on the radio in alabama are saying it was essentially Saban telling the REC to step it up. At least that what was said on john boy and billy before one of them left with a bad tooth...

I hope both Jimbo and Saban burn each other to the ground. LSU will be there to pick up the recruits when they do.