ATLANTA — SEC commissioner Greg Sankey opened the league’s annual football media days Monday by trying to calm everybody down at the start.
He declared that while college athletics isn’t “broken,” it is under significant strain as it navigates a period of rapid and historic change.
Sankey’s remarks came as the SEC and the broader college football landscape adjust to new realities, including the implementation of revenue sharing for athletes, ongoing debate over conference scheduling, and the expansion of the College Football Playoff.
“The settlement went into effect July 1 and it’s July 14 while working through historic and transformed change,” Sankey said. “In the middle of anything significant, it will get messy. That doesn’t mean you leave or, in a marathon, it doesn’t mean you step off the course.
“The burden of making a new system work is certainly on commissioners and conference offices, but the responsibility is shared with our campuses and campus leaders.”
Sankey said conversations with university presidents this spring included discussion of the Power Four conferences forming a committee to explore their future role in college athletics.
The group would include multiple university presidents and conference commissioners, reflecting a shift toward greater autonomy for the sport’s most powerful leagues.
On the College Football Playoff, Sankey expressed support for the new straight-seeding model to be used in 2025.
Under the revised system, the top four teams in the selection committee’s final rankings will receive byes to the quarterfinals, regardless of conference affiliation.
This replaces the previous format that awarded byes to the four highest-ranked conference champions.
“We think growth beyond 12 can be positive and should be pursued,” Sankey said, signaling the SEC’s support for further expansion of the playoff field. A 16-team playoff model remains under consideration, with ongoing debate over how many automatic bids will be reserved for conference champions.
The SEC has not announced whether it will move to a nine-game conference schedule in 2026. The league has played eight conference games while other Power Four leagues play nine.
“It’s absolutely, fully and 100 percent correct that we play eight conference games, while others play nine conference games,” Sankey said. “It’s also correct that last season, all 16 members played at least nine games against, what you would label, power opponents.
“I don’t believe there’s anyone looking to swap their conference schedule and their opponents with our conference schedule.”
Sankey said a decision on the 2026 schedule is approaching. He probably would like to see that happen sooner rather than later.
“We have to make decisions, if we’re going to nine games,” he said. “If we stay at eight, it’ll probably be a little bit easier logistically.”
The conference’s debate over scheduling has drawn comments from coaches, athletic directors and TV partners.
Some, including Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, have advocated for a nine-game conference slate to strengthen schedules and increase television revenue.
ESPN has reportedly offered the SEC additional compensation if it adds a ninth conference game.
The 2025 season marks the first year of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.
The new system is designed to reward the highest-ranked teams with first-round byes, a move intended to increase fairness and competitiveness.
Still, Sankey and SEC officials are pushing for continued evaluation and possible expansion to ensure the system serves the sport’s best interests.
The Power Four’s move toward more centralized governance comes as the NCAA’s influence appears to be waning.
Sankey’s comments reflect a growing consensus that the largest conferences will set the agenda for college athletics going forward, particularly in football.
The current period is also defined by major changes off the field. The July 1 settlement allowing direct payments to athletes has fundamentally altered the relationship between schools and student-athletes.
Sankey urged patience and cooperation as the SEC navigates the new landscape.
Coaches and administrators across the league acknowledge the scope of the transformation.
LSU’s Brian Kelly recently called this “the most challenging period I’ve seen in my career,” while Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said, “We have to be nimble. The rules are changing, and so is the definition of what it means to be a student-athlete.”
The SEC enters the 2025 season as a leader in the sport, but Sankey said the league must work with other conferences and stakeholders to manage the challenges ahead.
“We’re in the middle of a marathon,” he said. “We’re not stepping off the course. The challenge is to make this work … together.”
The 2025 season will bring new playoff procedures, a possible schedule shift, and ongoing debate about the future of college athletics, both on and off the field.
SEC Media Days kicked off in Atlanta on Monday morning. The Arkansas Razorbacks will make their appearance on the last day, Thursday, with coach Sam Pittman, quarterback Taylen Green, linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr., and defensive lineman Cam Ball.
All coverage will be on SEC Network and ESPN Arkansas shows with Tye Richardson getting interviews and interviewing everybody that will talk to him at the event.
