SEC Commissioner Sankey No Playoff Decision at Meeting
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- Greg Sankey said he does not anticipate any decisions on the College Football Playoff at the SEC’s annual meeting, noting the Dec. 1 deadline is still ahead.
- Big Ten coaches and athletic directors unanimously backed expanding the CFP to 24 teams at their recent California meeting, a stance Sankey said the SEC will not match.
- Greg Sankey said being the last holdout on a 24‑team playoff “doesn’t bother me,” and he is not opposed to a 24‑ or 28‑team format, referencing last year’s 16‑team discussion.
- Tony Petitti said the Big Ten is only considering staying at 12 teams or expanding to 24, framing the conference’s options.
- SEC dominates regular‑season TV ratings, and Sankey warned a larger playoff could devalue those games, citing Oklahoma’s 2025 CFP bid as an example of how the current system raises November game importance.
Why it matters: The SEC’s TV ratings drive billions in broadcast revenue; a 24‑team playoff could cut the value of its regular‑season games, threatening network deals and school earnings before the Dec. 1 CFP deadline.
