Greg Sankey gives intriguing response to the end game on SEC expansion

If the last decade and a half have taught us anything when it comes to conference expansion and conference realignment it’s never say never. Oklahoma and Texas will officially be headed to the SEC in 2024, presumably stopping the major expansions for the time being.

Right?

“That is one of those I don’t know answers,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said, asked about it on the McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning program.

Rather than rubber-stamp a cease-fire on the conference expansion front, Sankey struck a more measured tone. It would be unwise to outright say expansion is done, Sankey seemed to say.

“I have a responsibility I think in two ways,” he explained. “One, not to be a continuing source of instability for others, and we’ve been clear that our focus is on moving toward 16, making sure that the Southeastern Conference operates well and builds upon our strength.

“At the same time I have to be attentive to what’s happening around me.”

In other words, the SEC seems set for the time being but should other moves necessitate further action, Sankey won’t sit idly by and let his conference be passed.

Greg Sankey will monitor conference realignment

It certainly seems like the dust has settled on this round of realignment, with the target schools for the SEC, the Big Ten and the Big 12 all acquired at this point.

That leaves one region potentially still in flux.

“There’s a lot of speculation about what might happen in the western part of our country’s college athletic conferences,” Sankey said. “That doesn’t seem to have a direct impact on us.”

What Sankey seemed to reiterate was that he still believes the relationships between various conferences remain important. Those relationships often get strained during conference realignment.

Sankey almost seemed to speak directly to the Big 12 in an attempt to carry forward amiably.

“I think our relationships with our colleague conferences remain important despite the disruption of this membership transition,” Sankey said. “I appreciate the ability to work with the Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark in an open way through this, and any number of other issues the same with my colleagues.”

As far as any potential future additions to the SEC? Or further conference realignment in general?

“I have to be mindful, I have to be attentive,” Sankey said. “But I also want us to be thoughtful and not the center of any instability about talking about a move to a particular number, and we’ve seen some of that in recent years. Our focus is on being as effective and strong as possible now that we’re moving to 16.”