I think Mr. Saban and Dabo are complaining because they know they're toast. Clemson probably has a smaller fanbase than Iowa. Bama draws viewers and clearly has more fans than Iowa, but I don't think it is by a huge margin or anything. But when you get into the OSUs, UTs , Floridas etc. of the world, the fanbase size and wealth can generate a lot of juice that you ain't ever gonna get at Bama or Clemson. Take the 2018 Clemson team as an example. Assume they now lose on two of their top targets who opt for big paydays at Georgia or Florida or Tennessee, all of which are massive schools with deep pocketed fanbases. Now look at the team. Suddenly you ain't got Trevor Lawrence or that stud d-lineman. Ruh roh. You spread out a few of the difference maker guys and the landscape looks totally different, and really bad if you are Clemson or Bama.