Greg Sankey addresses Oklahoma, Texas roles in future scheduling models

As the SEC discusses a potential new scheduling model, the question is how involved Oklahoma and Texas are in the conversation. Commissioner Greg Sankey addressed that during The Paul Finebaum Show on Wednesday as the two schools prepare to join the league.

The SEC is talking about a nine-game conference schedule featuring six rotating opponents and three yearly rivals. That was one of the topics of discussion at the SEC spring meetings in Destin this week, and it’d be a big change as the league gets ready to go from 14 teams to 16 teams.

Sankey said the two schools have been informed of the potential change, but they can’t officially vote on the proposal since they’re still members of the Big 12.

SEC commish Greg Sankey said the league has asked Oklahoma & Texas for their input on SEC future scheduling models (8 games or 9 games; status of divisions, etc.), although neither school is allowed to vote on any changes yet

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) June 1, 2022

Greg Sankey reveals factor TV partners play in scheduling change

Talks are starting to heat up about schedule changes in the SEC, according to On3’s Jesse Simonton. During the SEC spring meetings in Destin, commissioner Greg Sankey shared the role the league’s television partners play in that decision.

The SEC is talking about going to a nine-game conference schedule, featuring three yearly rivals and six other rotating opponents. Currently, the league uses an eight-game model, meaning TV partners would be affected by the change. Sankey said the league is keeping everyone informed on what’s going on, but the decision is ultimately up to the league.

“We keep them updated,” Sankey said, via Simonton. “But they’re not dictating.”

The idea of changing the schedule comes ahead of SEC expansion with Oklahoma and Texas preparing to leave the Big 12 and join the league. Sankey wouldn’t say if things would change with league’s TV partnership, but reiterated the conference is keeping everyone in the loop on the discussions.

“I don’t talk about TV contracts,” Sankey said. “We keep our future TV partner … long up to speed on the conversations.”