Alabama basketball insiders are confident that Nate Oats is content with the amount of money he can spend on players. Multiple sources state that the Crimson Tide player payroll budget has increased by around 50% since last season. The same sources believe that player payroll was around $8M last season and has been increased to around $12M for the 2026-27 season.
Real numbers are hard to come by, but if Alabama is at $12M, there may be 20 to 30 (or more) programs with larger budgets. It is well known that Kentucky spent $22M last season. It was not money well spent. It is almost certain that the Wildcats will spend even more for the 2026-27 season. There are claims that four Big East teams will outspend Alabama, with UConn at $15M and St. John's at $20M. Bryan Hodgson at Providence may have more money to spend than Nate Oats. In the SEC, Texas, Texas A&M, and possibly LSU, Tennessee, and even Auburn may outspend the Crimson Tide.
Evan Miyakawa says he has data showing the market for college basketball players' salaries is up 65% from last season. Miyakawa states the market is up even higher for players on power conference teams, with a 73% increase.
That such compensation increases are not sustainable is being ignored for one reason. Many coaches and ADs believe the cost of failing can be even higher. A healthy debate can ensue on either side of that logic.
Alabama Basketball and Payroll Escalation
Getting back to how this affects Nate Oats and Alabama basketball begins with Nate's perceived discount not being enough. Players love the Oats system and want to play in it. But often dollars have a stronger pull.
An example is Alabama's pursuit of Donnie Freeman. Nate Oats and Preston Murphy flew to New York to meet with Freeman. Alabama worked hard to land Freeman before he began his college career at Syracuse. Freeman is a top target for Oats, and the in-person pitch was an effort to land him before he took visits to Kentucky and UConn. It may be a couple of days before Freeman makes a decision, but experts are predicting that UConn has the edge.
Nate Oats will build a solid roster. Alabama will again be a contender to make a Sweet 16 or beyond in the 2027 NCAA Tournament. But (and not a small but) when the player budget goes up 50%, and the cost of players goes up 73%, Alabama is losing rather than gaining ground.
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