While other college sports conferences are experiencing shifts and scrambling to find their balance, the SEC seems content with its current position. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey expressed satisfaction with the conference’s current status as a “super-conference” during the football media days in Nashville.
The recent announcement of Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC next year marks the conclusion of the expansion for now. Sankey emphasized that the SEC knows its identity, feels comfortable as a league, and is focused on growing to a 16-team super-conference. The conference has successfully restored rivalries and maintains geographical continuity with the right philosophical alignment.
Regarding potential further growth, Sankey seems cautious. While some conferences like the Big Ten are also expanding to 16 teams, Sankey acknowledges that enlarging further involves complex factors that need careful consideration.
The SEC’s status as a super-conference is a significant accomplishment, and Sankey, who recently signed a contract extension through 2028, may not be keen on pushing for more growth, especially as the competition with other conferences heats up.
As the SEC welcomes Texas and Oklahoma as official members next year, the conference has announced plans to hold its media days in Dallas, the city that hosted the Longhorns’ and Sooners’ final Big 12 media days.
Additionally, Sankey confirmed that the SEC is working to extend its contract with Mercedes-Benz Stadium to continue hosting the conference title game. Despite the Tennessee Titans’ new domed stadium, Sankey reiterated that the focus remains on Atlanta for hosting the championship game.
