SEC and Big Ten look to lead the future of…read more
The Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Big Ten are poised to lead the future of college football as their commissioners and athletic directors prepare for a historic meeting in Nashville next week. The goal is to chart a unified course for the sport, and SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey believes the outcome of this meeting will influence the broader landscape of college athletics.
“If we can set a direction that we can agree on, others will have the opportunity to participate and follow,” Sankey remarked during an appearance on “The Triple Option,” highlighting the significance of the collaboration between the SEC and Big Ten. These two powerhouse conferences currently dominate college football, holding nine of the top ten spots in the latest Associated Press poll.
Sankey emphasized the importance of this meeting with Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti, underscoring that their discussions go beyond immediate on-field issues. “Tony and I have talked about how playing rules are made and how decisions are made in the NCAA,” Sankey said. The commissioners aim to navigate the challenges and opportunities in college sports, but Sankey acknowledged that the traditional approach of the NCAA—making decisions in large groups—has become ineffective. “We won’t meet those challenges in large rooms filled with people, which is kind of the NCAA way.”
In recent years, the NCAA has seen its influence wane, particularly after losing several legal battles concerning student-athlete rights and compensation. As the NCAA’s authority has diminished, the SEC and Big Ten appear ready to fill the void and take on a leadership role in shaping the future of college sports. “It starts with, can the two conferences come together around some common thoughts?” Sankey stated, emphasizing that aligning their visions could set a precedent for other conferences and teams to follow.
One area where Sankey has already taken initiative is the SEC’s decision to eliminate the spring transfer portal window for intra-conference transfers. This move is designed to bring more stability to rosters, allowing teams and players to have a clearer sense of direction going into the season. While the NCAA continues to grapple with legal challenges, particularly those related to player compensation, Sankey believes there is still room for conferences like the SEC and Big Ten to make meaningful changes.
Sankey also addressed the evolving landscape of college sports, noting that change is inevitable. “We have to change, that change is happening,” he stated, underscoring the urgency for conferences to take the reins and lead reforms in college athletics. However, Sankey stressed that amidst all these changes, the focus should remain on the development and well-being of student-athletes. “We need to recognize that we are still developing young people, and that emphasis and accountability needs to be there and allowed to be there,” he said.
As the SEC and Big Ten head into their upcoming discussions, the decisions they make could have a profound and lasting impact on the future of college football. The goal is to establish a more stable and accountable environment for student-athletes while also addressing the broader challenges facing college sports today. The Nashville meeting could be the first step in what Sankey and Petitti hope will be a collaborative effort to shape the future direction of the sport.
