Sankey Says No SEC Expansion for Now, But the Door is not Sealed Shut

STILLWATER – We’re not going to bury the lead here. Greg Sankey gave his “State of the SEC” address on Monday (July 18) at the SEC Football Kickoff and Media Days in Atlanta, Ga. So, why would Oklahoma State fans be interested in what the commissioner of the conference that picked up the Cowboys Bedlam rival Oklahoma and the other big brand, albeit a good pincushion in recent seasons in the Big 12 in Texas? The answer is simple, and Sankey threw it out there in his opening remarks before the question and answer from the media in attendance.

“It is a compliment that people from all across the country and all across the globe want to be a part of the Southeastern Conference,” Sankey said referring to fans and media. “We understand our fan base and our region. We have an outstanding relationship with our media partners effective in the fall of '24, Disney, ABC, and ESPN, with a focus on how we continue to strengthen the SEC Network.”

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Sankey is well aware everybody would like to be in the SEC.

Sankey wasn’t talking about other schools, but the simple fact of the matter currently in Division I Power Five College Football is nobody is secure financially for the long-term unless you are a current or accepted future member of the SEC or the Big Ten. Anything less and you risk a significant separation in television, media, and conference payout revenue.

Oklahoma State is not alone as any Big 12 member would accept an invite to the SEC or Big Ten. The Big Ten isn’t coming for anybody that doesn’t stand up to their desired academic status. If the ACC Grant-in-Rights wasn’t so stiff or firm then you would see Clemson, Miami (Fla.), North Carolina, and likely many others campaigning for membership.   

“Again, we're comfortable at 16,” Sankey reinterated. “There's no sense of urgency, no sense of panic. We're not just shooting for a number of affiliations that make us better. Could they be out there? I would never say they're not. I would never say that we will.

“We're going to be evaluating the landscape,” Sankey continued. “I'm not going to speculate. I actually am watching a lot of this activity operating around us, more so than impacting us directly.”

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Gundy’s Bedlam comment was aimed at Sankey and TV networks. 

As for an impact, Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy reminded everybody at Big 12 Media Days that the future of Bedlam for right now is limited to 2022, 2023, and then 2024 before it will go away. Gundy’s comment was a reminder to Sankey and to the television networks that battle for the Bedlam game that if Oklahoma State and OU aren’t in the same conference that Bedlam could go away. Last season it had over half-million more viewers than the Red River Rivalry. Believe me, if the television networks want Bedlam and will pay for it then it will happen.

Sankey reminded the crowd in Atlanta that he is in charge of his league and that includes scraps between coaches like the one we saw with Alabama’s Nick Saban and Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher. Sankey recalled the situation at the SEC coaches meetings.

“As I walked into the room, I learned that someone had tweeted our head football coach seating chart, and the trending topic on Twitter became not the Destin spring meetings but look at this football coaches' seating chart,” Sankey said. “As we refocus, here is what I told our coaches. It is never going to be the same, but it doesn't have to be the way that it is. We're dealing with complex problems that won't be solved by complaints, by accusations, by finger pointing, or by offering simple solutions.

“What is needed now is collaboration, deep thinking about real world solutions, and everyone participating in the conversation,” Sankey continued. “The outcome, and I shared this in real time, was we had some of the most in-depth conversations with full participation through our spring meetings that I've ever experienced. That includes not only our football coach, but our women's basketball coaches, men's basketball coach, our Student-Athlete Leadership Council representatives, faculty representatives, senior administrators and ultimately our presidents and chancellors that week.”

Make no mistake, Greg Sankey is large and in charge when it comes to the SEC. He is in position to grant schools greatest wishes or keep them off the top tier in Division I football.