8legs: Espn college gameday

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Nick Saban’s behind-the-scenes gesture toward ‘College GameDay’ crew draws attention

Saban arranged a private jet to move the ESPN College GameDay crew between CFP venues, easing a tight travel window.
The flight covered about 1,800 miles between the Fiesta Bowl and the Peach Bowl on a single trip.
Rece Davis said the group flew on Saban’s plane, noting the speed exceeded 700 miles per hour at times.
The flight lacked in-flight Wi‑Fi, so passengers had to rely on updates from towers and ground reports.
The group included ESPN host Rece Davis, insider Pete Thamel, Stanford Steve Coughlin, and Desmond Howard.
Saban’s private flight is part of a broader narrative about the perks surrounding top college football events.
The incident followed Saban’s retirement from coaching in 2024, situating him with ESPN's college football coverage.
ESPN’s College GameDay hosts discussed the travel arrangement in a radio appearance, mixing pride with reluctance about sounding boastful.
The private flight was described as facilitating a rapid turnaround between major college football stages.
The coverage included a timeline noting the CFP National Championship in Atlanta on Jan. 20.
The piece notes the jet’s prior role in transporting university officials and elite recruits during the Crimson Tide era.

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