Greg Sankey updates timeline on SEC scheduling format change

With the SEC expanding in the coming years after adding two Big 12 programs, there’s a lot of debate among the conference regarding the future schedule model. Currently, teams play eight league games plus one additional power five opponent — usually a rival.

However, the league may go to nine games rather than eight — a divisive choice among head coaches. But more games may be necessary with two more programs joining the league. There’s still plenty of time until a final decision is made, and commissioner Greg Sankey used meetings this summer to hold dialogue over the possible change. Here was his update on the situation from SEC Media Days:

“We invited both the athletic directors and presidents and chancellors into our conference call a week and a half ago. Because this is a long-term issue that has impacts beyond just the here and now, so they could hear my analysis and ask any questions of us and hear questions asked by our campus leaders.”

He also revealed the league consulted representatives from the schools that will join in the next few years on the issue of scheduling.

Sankey says Texas, Oklahoma invited to league meetings

“When we moved into August last year, we had an athletic directors meeting that happens each August. We invited both [Texas and Oklahoma] to attend by video, so Zoom, since we’re really good at Zooming now, so they could hear the introduction of how we consider information around scheduling. When we’ve had important updates or conversation, they’ve been a part of that.”

They didn’t invite them to the in-person meetings in Destin to avoid any added controversy. But they were kept up to date on what transpired.

“Provided actual updates to them through the week. They’ve been great emerging partners in this process talking about their interests and priorities, just as our other 14 do.”

Nice to see that the SEC is including future members in decisions about the future. The scheduling issues is far from resolved. However, seems like all 16 schools will have a final say in how to re-arrange the schedule. Greg Sankey wants an inclusive decision-making process.