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SEC Commissioner Warns of 'Messy' Transition Ahead for College Sports
Greg Sankey says historic changes will make the future of college athletics uncomfortable and unpredictable.
Mar. 16, 2026 at 7:35pm
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SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey is warning that the college sports landscape is undergoing historic changes that will lead to a 'messy' and 'uncomfortable' transition period. Sankey cited potential expansion of the SEC from 12 to 16 or even 24 teams, as well as changes to NCAA rules around player eligibility and tampering, as factors contributing to the upheaval.
Why it matters
The SEC is one of the most powerful and influential conferences in college sports, so Sankey's comments signal that major disruptions are on the horizon for the entire NCAA system. These changes could fundamentally alter long-standing rivalries, player eligibility, and the overall governance of college athletics.
The details
Sankey warned that 'it's never going to be the way that it was' for college sports, as the NCAA grapples with new rules around name, image and likeness (NIL) deals as well as potential federal legislation like the SCORE Act. He did not offer specifics on what the 'messy' changes will entail, but noted that several SEC member schools are already exploring leaving the conference to operate independently.
- Sankey made these comments during the SEC basketball tournament in Nashville on March 16, 2026.
The players
Greg Sankey
The commissioner of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), one of the most prominent college athletic conferences in the United States.
NCAA
The National Collegiate Athletic Association, the main governing body for college sports in the United States.
What they’re saying
“The coming changes in how college sports are governed and how it will interact with NIL rules and other big changes are going to be difficult. We're in the middle of historic change, and it's going to be messy. It's going to be uncomfortable. It's never going to be the way that it was, but doesn't have to be the way that it is.”
— Greg Sankey, SEC Commissioner
What’s next
Sankey indicated the SEC will move forward with its plans for conference expansion to 16 or even 24 teams, despite the potential disruption to traditional rivalries. The NCAA is also expected to consider changes to player eligibility and tampering rules in the coming years.
The takeaway
Sankey's warning highlights the profound uncertainty facing the future of college sports, as the NCAA grapples with new player compensation rules, potential federal legislation, and conference realignment. These changes threaten to upend the traditional structure and rivalries that have defined college athletics for decades.
