SEC commissioner discusses potential breakaway during media days
ESPN • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 20, 2026, 3:17 PM
Last updated Jul 20, 2026
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey addressed reporters during SEC football media days on July 20, 2026, discussing ongoing conversations with Congressional leaders about the Protect College Sports Act. Sankey described these discussions as 'real' but emphasized that breaking away from the NCAA is not the preferred solution for the conference. He highlighted frustration from school presidents over a range of issues, including Congressional legislation and the future of the College Football Playoff. Despite these frustrations, he noted the SEC's recent success in winning 13 national championships as a reason for caution in drastic changes.
- •Greg Sankey continues talks with Congress on the Protect College Sports Act.
- •Discussions about SEC breaking away are ongoing but not preferred.
- •Issues include legislation, the College Football Playoff, and NIL transparency.
- •Sankey emphasizes the value of participating in a national organization.
- •SEC won 13 national championships last season across various sports.
- 4:07 PMESPN — Sankey: SEC breakaway talk over college bill real
- 3:06 PMYahoo Sports — Could the SEC really break away? Commish says conversations are real but that's not what they want
"Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey said Monday that leaders of the powerhouse league are having “real” conversations about breaking away from the rest of college sports, though that's not the preferred solution. “They’re real,” Greg Sankey said Monday of conversations with school presidents involving the SEC separating itself from the rest of the NCAA. Sankey's 45-minute meeting with reporters to kick off SEC football media days detailed the entire list of issues that college sports is struggling with: Congressional legislation, litigation stemming from the new five-year eligibility rule, the future of the College Football Playoff and an overall lack of transparency regarding name, image and likeness payments to players.
"SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said he continues to have conversations with Congressional leaders about the Protect College Sports Act but stopped short of saying whether all their suggested changes need to be implemented for the conference to support it.
Sources
External links- ESPNJul 20, 2026, 4:07 PMSankey: SEC breakaway talk over college bill real
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said he continues to have conversations with Congressional leaders about the Protect College Sports Act but stopped short of saying whether all their suggested changes need to be implemented for the conference to support it.
- Yahoo SportsJul 20, 2026, 3:06 PMCould the SEC really break away? Commish says conversations are real but that's not what they want
Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey said Monday that leaders of the powerhouse league are having “real” conversations about breaking away from the rest of college sports, though that's not the preferred solution. “They’re real,” Greg Sankey said Monday of conversations with school presidents involving the SEC separating itself from the rest of the NCAA. Sankey's 45-minute meeting with reporters to kick off SEC football media days detailed the entire list of issues that college sports is struggling with: Congressional legislation, litigation stemming from the new five-year eligibility rule, the future of the College Football Playoff and an overall lack of transparency regarding name, image and likeness payments to players.
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