SEC, commissioner Greg Sankey agree to contract extension through 2028

As if it wasn’t already guaranteed, Greg Sankey is going to be sticking around the SEC for the half-decade, at the least.

On Thursday, the SEC announced that Sankey has agreed to a contract extension that’ll keep him in-charge of arguably the most competitive collegiate athletic conference through at least 2028.

“Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey has agreed to a contract extension that will keep him in his position through at least 2028, the Conference announced on Thursday,” the SEC’s press release read. “Sankey’s contract extension, approved by the Conference’s Presidents and Chancellors, continues a role he began on June 1, 2015, when he became the eighth Commissioner of the SEC.”

Over his time as the SEC Commissioner, Sankey has elevated to arguably the most important person in all of collegiate athletics, especially due to the advent of conference expansion over the last couple of years, and the coming addition of the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners to the SEC.

Moreover, Sankey is “grateful for the continue opportunity” to lead the SEC, as he said in a statement accompanying the press release announcing his extension.

“I am grateful for the continued opportunity to serve and support the universities and student-athletes of the Southeastern Conference and I appreciate the confidence placed in me by the SEC’s presidents and chancellors,” said Sankey. “I look forward to working with the leaders of our member universities as we meet the challenges ahead for college athletics, seek to sustain the success of our Conference and fulfill our mission to provide our young people with the opportunity to grow academically and challenge themselves through elite competition.”

Additionally, the move is more than popular among the SEC’s brass, as University of Alabama President Stuart Bell — who became President of the SEC this month — waxed poetic about the job Sankey’s done.

“During a time of great change in college athletics, Greg Sankey has been a positive force for advancing the SEC and a thought-leader across the national landscape,” said Bell, via the press release. “The presidents, chancellors and athletic directors of our institutions hold him in great regard – respect which he has earned through his years of excellent service. I appreciate his proactive and collaborative approach to leadership and look forward to working with him for many years to come.”

Alas, Greg Sankey has set the standard for how conference commissioners should perform, and he’s not going anywhere. The SEC has a great one, and they’re keeping him around.