SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey appeared on the Triple Option podcast earlier this week, providing a clear vision of the future of college football.
If there was any doubt before, it’s now evident after the most influential figure in college sports unveiled some truths.
The SEC and Big Ten are gearing up to take their dominance while reaping billions in the process.
“They want to emulate us, and it’s up to them to figure it out,” Sankey asserted. “I’m not going to tone myself down.”
What does this say about the NCAA’s long-standing principle of collaborative cooperation?
Keep in mind: Sankey speaks with purpose. His words are carefully chosen, and everything he says has a strategic intent.
It’s no surprise that this latest development comes just a week before SEC and Big Ten officials are set to meet again to discuss their future together in college football.
Next week, they will address the implications of the House case that awarded billions to former players, the potential for revenue sharing (also known as pay-for-play) starting as soon as the 2025 season, and ways to create new revenue streams through non-conference scheduling.
Sankey’s remarks followed the announcement of the College Student Football League, aimed at “growing FBS college football and adapting to the current legal and political climate.”
This proposed 136-team “league” would have 72 teams in its top division, comprising the current 68 Power conference teams plus Notre Dame, while the remaining 64 would be in a secondary division, allowing for regulation and movement between levels.
Naturally, this concept has about as much chance for success as the XFL.
It assumes that the SEC and Big Ten will willingly share their riches with everyone else simply out of altruism.
When Sankey was asked on the Triple Option podcast about the idea of being the “commissioner of college football”—a vague concept suggesting a single leader navigating a chaotic system—he hesitated.
Then he expressed skepticism about the College Student XFL concept.
“I’ve looked into it a bit, and I don’t want to diminish the Southeastern Conference by joining some hypothetical super league with 70 teams that some speculate might emerge,” Sankey stated.
Hello, reality!
In an ideal world, college football would find a way to keep everyone satisfied, happily strolling along together. However, that’s not how things will unfold.
Football fans want thrilling matchups, significant moments, and captivating narratives. Advertisers, who fund the sport, are after the same thing.
They seek out big games like Georgia vs. Alabama, Ohio State vs. Oregon, and Michigan vs. Texas. They’re not interested in matchups like Alabama vs. Western Kentucky or Ohio State vs. Marshall.
As we hit the five-week mark of the season, 10 out of the top 12 TV-rated games feature an SEC team, with four of those being SEC matchups.
Every game in that top 12 includes at least one team from the SEC or Big Ten. The breakdown is impressive: 10 SEC, three Big Ten, two ACC, one Big 12, and one from Notre Dame.
Now, you want Sankey to go to his 16 university presidents, who are currently facing financial struggles due to the House case, potential revenue sharing, and a facility expansion, and suggest the impractical notion of equitable distribution in the College Student League?
The SEC and Big Ten aren’t exactly trying to break away from the rest of college football; they’re simply advancing. A clean split would invite legal issues and public backlash.
So, Sankey and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti have framed this as a “working group” addressing the “challenges” in college sports. It’s a clever approach.
They’re moving ahead in a way that creates a clear distinction from others by establishing a more advantageous College Football Playoff format and monopolizing scheduling with non-conference games that boost media rights revenue—effectively sidelining the rest.
Who would argue against seeing more matchups like Michigan vs. LSU, Ohio State vs. Alabama, and Georgia vs. Penn State in the regular season? Not to mention similar games in the playoffs.
This momentum has skyrocketed since the SEC expanded to 16 teams and the Big Ten to 18.
There’s no sign of this trend slowing down anytime soon.
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