'We're waiting as patiently as we can': SEC is in limbo waiting on House settlement

The world of college sports is scheduled to change drastically on July 1 when schools can start directly paying student-athletes for the first time in NCAA history. Except there is just one big problem — the settlement has not been passed.

Everyone in the college sports space is still awaiting word on from Judge Claudia Wilken if the settlement will be passed after the NCAA and its lawyers were asked to make adjustments to the roster limit rules. The expectation is that this will go through but you just never know until it’s final.

“We’re waiting as patiently as we can,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey told the media on Monday at the league’s annual spring meetings.

The SEC and all of the other power conferences are all-in on this revenue-sharing plan that will hopefully provide them with structure and a governing body system that can enforce rules and help limit the pay-for-play era with third parties heavily involved in sports. However, things can change quickly if Judge Wilken turns down the settlement. Sankey was asked about alternate options if that denial occurred. The most powerful man in college athletics would not get into details but billable hours almost always find a way.

“I think there are likely several. And I’ll let my lawyers speak to that within my room rather than publish it,” Sankey explained. “I think we’re still waiting and focused on preparing for a settlement as has been presented at this point.”

“I think we’ve prepared as well as we are able. Now anytime something is new, I’ve said this, there’s going to be turbulence. There’s going to be questions to be answered.”

Greg Sankey says that the SEC has multiple alternative courses of action to take if the settlement is turned down. For now, the league plays the waiting game while the clock ticks. Revenue-sharing is just 34 days away.