Nick Saban’s legacy in school soccer is past dispute. Over a 28-year head teaching profession, he compiled a unprecedented 292–71–1 file and captured seven nationwide championships — six with Alabama and one with LSU — securing his place as probably the most profitable school coach of the trendy period. Throughout his 16 seasons main the Crimson Tide, Nick Saban earned $130 million in wage and bonuses, putting him among the many highest-paid coaches in sports activities historical past.
You would possibly suppose a résumé like that might be sufficient to name it a profession. However whereas Saban was dominating the faculty soccer world, he was additionally quietly constructing a enterprise empire that would rival his on-field success. And it has nothing to do with soccer.
By minority possession stakes, high-stakes acquisitions, and a partnership with veteran auto govt Joe Agresti, Saban co-owns a luxurious automotive dealership conglomerate referred to as Dream Motor Group. The corporate now operates throughout a number of states, sells tens of 1000’s of high-end automobiles every year, and is reportedly price nicely over a billion {dollars}. What started with a single telephone name and a handshake has developed right into a critical enterprise powerhouse — one which will finally cement Saban’s place not simply within the teaching pantheon, however amongst America’s billionaire entrepreneurs and the richest coach in historical past.
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Early Roots: From Dad’s Fuel Station to A Teaching Legend
Saban’s affinity for vehicles and mechanics traces again to his youth. He grew up in a small coal-mining city in West Virginia, the place his father ran a service station. Younger Nick pumped gasoline, modified tires, and did odd jobs — studying not simply software abilities however how companies run at floor stage. Over a number of a long time in soccer, he additionally constructed a repute for course of, element, and tradition — traits that might carry over into his post-coaching investments.
When Saban first thought-about coming into the dealership world, he did not solid a large internet. He met Joe Agresti, a self-made vendor in Louisiana, whose background and philosophy mirrored Saban’s personal method to self-discipline and construction. Agresti rose from modest roots in New Jersey, studied accounting, labored at Arthur Andersen, and finally bought stakes in a Baton Rouge Mercedes-Benz dealership. When the 2 met, their shared values clicked instantly.
Dream Motor Group
Thus was born Dream Motor Group — formally the automobile for Saban’s entry into luxurious auto retailing. Saban can be a minority companion in lots of the ventures, whereas Agresti dealt with the day-to-day operations.
Over the previous decade, Dream Motor has amassed a curated, high-end portfolio slightly than a sprawling, unfocused one. A few of the key holdings embrace:
- Mercedes-Benz of Birmingham and Irondale, Alabama
- Mercedes-Benz of Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Mercedes-Benz of The Woodlands, Texas
- Mercedes-Benz of Music Metropolis, Nashville, Tennessee
- Ferrari of Nashville
- Infiniti of Hoover, Alabama
This is a video tour of the grand opening of Ferrari of Nashville from March 2023. Appropriately, Nick gave the opening welcome speech:
In 2023, Dream Motor made its most formidable transfer but, buying two Mercedes-Benz dealerships in South Florida (Coral Gables and Cutler Bay), together with a collision middle and close by actual property, in a deal valued at roughly $700 million. The true property portion alone reportedly value about $150 million.
These two shops dramatically expanded the group’s footprint and income base. The Florida enlargement pushed Dream Motor’s new-vehicle gross sales to round 22,000 models yearly throughout all places.
In 2025, Dream Motor is reportedly on tempo to generate practically $2 billion in annual income.
The corporate has deliberately remained targeted on a couple of key luxurious manufacturers, particularly Mercedes-Benz. As Agresti as soon as defined, the aim was to not diversify for its personal sake, however to turn out to be the perfect operator attainable inside choose manufacturers. One other key companion, Steve Cannon, the previous CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, later joined the enterprise, bringing high-level business expertise and connections.
Cash, Margins & Tradition: The Monetary Mechanics
An enormous query: how does this empire really make cash — and the way worthwhile would possibly Saban’s minimize be?
Revenue swimming pools in dealerships
- New-vehicle gross sales carry comparatively skinny margins, however drive general quantity.
- Used and licensed pre-owned automobiles generate increased margins per unit.
- Financing and insurance coverage (F&I) are crucial revenue facilities: dealerships earn charges and margins by financing packages, insurance coverage merchandise, and prolonged warranties.
- Service, elements, and collision restore provide recurring, high-margin income streams much less delicate to financial downturns.
- Actual property provides one other layer — proudly owning the land and buildings permits for appreciation, leaseback buildings, and goodwill valuation in franchise rights.
Agresti is famously meticulous about knowledge. He displays each dealership’s efficiency all the way down to the variety of vehicles bought per salesperson every night time, and even retains observe of each purchaser’s identify. Every retailer’s financials are reviewed month-to-month to make sure consistency and profitability.
In high-franchise states like Florida, “goodwill” — the intangible worth of getting the rights to function a luxurious model in a area — provides main fairness. These franchise rights typically commerce at excessive multiples, driving the valuations behind offers just like the $700 million Florida buy.
As a result of Dream Motor’s mannequin blends dealership operations, actual property possession, and premium model rights, its enterprise worth may fairly command six- to ten-times EBITDA, simply supporting billion-dollar valuations.
Saban’s Stake & Wealth Eventualities
We do not know the way a lot of the enterprise Nick Saban owns, however we do know that Joe Agresti, the driving pressure behind Dream Motor Group, now has a internet price of $1.1 billion. We additionally know that Joe is almost all proprietor.
If Agresti’s $1.1 billion fortune represents 50% of the enterprise, that might suggest Dream Motor Group is price round $2.2 billion. In that situation, a ten% stake for Saban can be price about $220 million, whereas a 20% stake can be price $440 million, and a 30% stake would soar to round $660 million.
If Agresti owns nearer to 60%, the corporate’s valuation would land round $1.8 billion, which might make Saban’s possession price between $180 million and $540 million, relying on whether or not his stake falls within the 10% to 30% vary.
At 70% possession, Dream Motor Group can be valued at $1.6 billion, and Saban’s portion could possibly be price between $160 million and $480 million. If Agresti holds 80%, that might nonetheless worth the enterprise at about $1.4 billion, that means Saban’s piece would possibly vary from $140 million to $420 million.
Billionaire Path
If, by a mixture of distinctive execution and extraordinary luck, Dream Motor Group’s valuation ever climbs to $3 billion — and if Nick really owns a 30% stake — his share can be price round $900 million. Mixed with the wealth he is already earned from three a long time of elite teaching, that might make him a billionaire.
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These are all estimates till we get the precise numbers. It is attainable Nick owns a tiny fraction of the enterprise, although I doubt he would become involved and lend his identify for lower than a minimum of 10%.
Regardless of the precise share, one factor is obvious: Nick Saban did not enter the automotive enterprise to dabble. He partnered with a confirmed operator, utilized the identical tradition and process-driven mindset that made him a soccer legend, and constructed one thing that may proceed producing wealth lengthy after his teaching whistle went silent.
In soccer, Saban grew to become synonymous with preparation, precision, and relentless execution. In enterprise, those self same traits have quietly turned him into one of the profitable coach-entrepreneurs in historical past. Whether or not his stake is price $100 million or half a billion, Dream Motor Group has ensured that Nick Saban’s legacy will not simply be measured in championships—it will even be measured in horsepower, luxurious, and billion-dollar ambition.
