Paul Finebaum: SEC, Big Ten joint advisory group is an 'inflection point' in history of college sports

The SEC and Big Ten made ripples to end last week with their announcement of a joint committee between them that’s set on solving problems in college sports. Now, after a weekend to assess the decision, Paul Finebaum sees it more as a tidal wave in the future.

Finebaum spoke about the two conference’s group during an appearance on ‘McElroy and Cubelic In The Morning’ on Monday. To him, the news is a turning point in the history of collegiate athletics with its two most powerful conferences led by two of its most powerful figures essentially looking to take the reins in some form.

“I think this is an inflection point in the history of college sports where the two people, the two leagues that – have not most of the power but all of the power – have decided to join hands and start collectively making important decisions. As opposed to sitting back and allowing the NCAA office or somebody on the west coast who, really, has very little voice,” said Finebaum.

The advisory group will feature university presidents, chancellors, and athletics directors from their member schools. Per the joint statement, their goal will be to “address the significant challenges facing college athletics and the opportunities for betterment of the student-athlete experience“. Still, at the moment, it’s meant to do nothing more than consult as nothing about their mission has been decided yet.

As Finebaum continued, though, he again stressed its importance considering who aligned together. With the combined strength with Greg Sankey in the Southeastern Conference and Tony Pettiti in the Big Ten actually coming together, it’s clear that it’s a union that’s of significance.

“I think it’s significant too. It’s a major shift in where the relationship has been between the two leagues,” said Finebaum. “When Kevin Warren was there, he barely gave anyone else in college athletics the time of day. Greg Sankey and Tony Pettiti very quickly came together, primarily because they knew each other. There were past relationships.”

“Tony Pettiti came down to Birmingham, as you guys may have heard, and spent time with Commissioner Sankey,” Finebaum said. “I think they both looked at each other and say, ‘You know, we have all the power in the sport? On the football field and most every other sport and field. Why don’t we try to figure some things out together so it’s too late to let anyone else make these decisions or try to make these decisions?'”

With the different forms of disarray in this current era of collegiate athletics, some improved leadership is what a lot of schools are looking for. That could, in theory, come in the form of this pact depending on how it progresses under the SEC and Big Ten moving forward.

“I think, ultimately, nobody is making any decisions. That’s why they’ve come together,” said Finebaum.