The future of college athletics could be headed toward another major turning point as the Southeastern Conference (SEC) continues to evaluate its long-term relationship with the NCAA while lobbying Congress to make significant changes to the proposed Protect College Sports Act.
Speaking Monday during the opening of SEC Media Days, Commissioner Greg Sankey addressed the growing speculation surrounding the conference’s future, confirming that discussions about a potential breakaway from the NCAA have been real. However, he emphasized that the SEC’s preferred path remains working alongside lawmakers to craft legislation that provides lasting stability for college sports.
“We’re continuing to engage in meaningful conversations,” Sankey said, stressing that the conference’s goal is to improve the current legislation rather than abandon the national governing structure altogether.
The Protect College Sports Act, introduced by Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), is designed to establish a nationwide framework for college athletics in the ever-changing era of name, image and likeness (NIL), athlete compensation, and conference governance.
While the SEC supports the idea of federal legislation, Sankey made it clear that the conference cannot support the bill in its current form.
According to Sankey, the SEC has submitted 10 “commonsense suggestions” centered around four core principles:
- Establishing enforceable national standards.
- Creating a federal framework that overrides conflicting state laws.
- Improving transparency and accountability.
- Ensuring fair, consistent standards while preserving voluntary decision-making.
The SEC believes these revisions are necessary to create a level playing field across college athletics, particularly as schools continue navigating a patchwork of differing state NIL laws.
Among the conference’s biggest concerns is language in the bill that would allow conferences to pool their media rights.
The SEC has firmly opposed that provision, believing it could fundamentally alter the economics of college sports and reshape conference television agreements.
Conference officials have also expressed concerns regarding language addressing the formation of future “superleagues,” another area where both the SEC and Big Ten have requested revisions before offering their support.
Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman, who serves as chair of the SEC presidents, echoed the conference’s position in a statement, noting that university leaders are attempting to navigate one of the most uncertain periods in college athletics history.
Although Sankey reiterated that collaboration remains the preferred option, he acknowledged there have been honest internal conversations about what happens if Congress fails to act.
Earlier this year, Georgia president Jere Morehead publicly suggested the SEC may eventually need to establish its own governance model if meaningful federal legislation never materializes.
Asked directly whether the SEC would require every proposed amendment before backing the bill, Sankey stopped short of issuing an ultimatum.
“You never give up things in those conversations,” Sankey said, signaling that negotiations remain ongoing while emphasizing the importance of finding common ground.
His comments reflected both the urgency surrounding congressional action and the frustration many conference leaders feel with the current regulatory landscape.
Sankey also addressed another major issue facing college football: the future of the College Football Playoff.
Despite growing momentum among the other Power Four conferences for expanding the playoff to 24 teams, the SEC remains the lone conference that has not publicly endorsed the proposal.
Sankey said several key questions remain unanswered, including whether there is sufficient media interest to support such a dramatic expansion.
“We still don’t have clear answers,” Sankey said, pointing to unresolved financial and structural questions surrounding a larger postseason format.
College football leaders face a Dec. 1 deadline to finalize any playoff format changes, leaving only a few months to reach consensus on what could become the sport’s next major evolution.
The SEC has long been one of the most influential conferences in college sports, and Sankey’s comments underscored just how pivotal the coming months may be.
With NIL regulations, athlete compensation, conference governance, and playoff expansion all being debated simultaneously, the Protect College Sports Act could reshape the future of the NCAA. If negotiations fail, the possibility of the SEC pursuing its own governance structure—a move once considered unthinkable—could become increasingly realistic.
Whether through congressional compromise or a dramatic restructuring of college athletics, the decisions made over the next several months may define the future of college sports for decades to come.
