Reporter asks Sankey if talks about SEC breaking away are true

July 15, 2019; Birmingham, AL, USA; SEC commissioner Greg Sankey speaks to the media during SEC Media Days at the Hyatt Regency-Birmingham. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

The SEC is widely regarded as the top conference in all of college athletics. 

Major changes may arise in the near future, however, as the conference has been rumored to split from the NCAA if national legislation can’t get passed. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey recently shared an update on the discussions surrounding a potential break-away from the NCAA, as the commissioner claims a split remains a legitimate possibility. 

“They’re real. People have talked about that. The frustrations bring them to the point of saying we should look at something significantly different.” He said. “I do not believe that is a leverage point, it’s just honest communication.”

The SEC breaking away from the NCAA would significantly shake up the current landscape of college athletics. The Big Ten has been rumored to split from the NCAA in the future as well, and the conferences could begin scheduling an increased amount of matchups between each other as a result. 

The SEC and the Big Ten are accountable for the vast majority of profit made across the NCAA. A split from either conference would be a massive change moving forward, and Sankey was able to voice the reality of the situation with his comments during SEC Football Media Days in Florida.