Greg Sankey Discusses SEC’s Potential Departure From NCAA
The world of college football could see a major shift, as SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey discussed the potential of the conference parting from the NCAA.
While the Gators don’t appear in Tampa until Wednesday morning, Sankey spoke at SEC Football Media Days Monday, addressing how the conference could break away from the governing structure.
“People have talked about that. They’ve opined about the frustrations that bring them to the point of saying we should look at something significantly different,” Sankey said. “But that national organization must function in a healthy manner; otherwise, that simmering will continue.”
Sankey said he does not believe these “real” conversations to be a point of leverage amid national legislation regarding college sports, including the Protect Collegetwitter.cports Act, a bill that Sankey and his conference do not agree with in its current form.
The Protect College Sports Act proposes a 20-team cap for conferences and uniform rules for NIL, but the Big Ten and SEC rebutted with a 10-point paper, objecting to the freeze of Power Four membership, preventing the combination of two conferences to form a super league.
Other concerns revolve around the new five-year eligibility rule and the College Football Playoff, but the act introduced by Senator Cantwell of Washington and committee chair Ted Cruz of Texas was of utmost questioning with potentially leaving the NCAA.
“What I think is important is those comments represent a high level of frustration with the circumstance in which we find ourselves,” Sankey said. “We have regulated ourselves more progressively than other colleagues by choice, across our league.
“If Congress is going to act, and again, I believe it should for the reasons identified, we have one opportunity to get this legislation right.”
Sankey said that he believes his changes are “achievable and reasonable.” However, he does support the bill’s “healthy” efforts for athlete health, safety, education and participation.
“We appreciate the bipartisan work of members of the House and Senate and the interest from the President and his administration in working to address the future of college athletics,” Sankey said.
As conversations continue around the conference, Gators coach Jon Sumrall, wide receiver Vernell Brown III, linebacker Myles Graham and running back Jadan Baugh speak with the media Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in Tampa.
Category: Feature Sports News, Gators Football
