SEC Media Days Kick Off in Dallas Amid Major Changes in College Football
In a historic moment for college sports, the Southeastern Conference officially kicked off its first football season as a 16-team league at the SEC Media Days in Dallas on Monday. Commissioner Greg Sankey set the tone for the event, declaring, “It’s time to update your expectations for what college athletics can be.”
The SEC, known for its powerhouse football programs with 13 national champions since 2006, welcomed Texas and Oklahoma into its ranks, marking just one of many changes happening in college football this year. Sankey emphasized the need for leaders in college sports to navigate the uncharted waters of change, amidst external pressures from lawsuits and politicians.
One of the most significant changes on the horizon is the NCAA’s settlement with power conferences on several antitrust lawsuits, including a $2.8 billion damages payout and a commitment to revenue sharing with athletes. The details of the settlement are expected to be finalized soon and must be approved by a federal court.
Sankey stressed the importance of finding new revenue streams without relinquishing control to external actors, cautioning against private equity involvement. As college sports face a rapid pace of change, the commissioner urged stakeholders to work together to find solutions and shape the future of athletics.
The SEC Media Days in Dallas mark the beginning of a new era for college sports, with the SEC leading the way in adapting to the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics.
