Greg Sankey reveals factor TV partners play in scheduling change

Talks are starting to heat up about schedule changes in the SEC, according to On3’s Jesse Simonton. During the SEC spring meetings in Destin, commissioner Greg Sankey shared the role the league’s television partners play in that decision.

The SEC is talking about going to a nine-game conference schedule, featuring three yearly rivals and six other rotating opponents. Currently, the league uses an eight-game model, meaning TV partners would be affected by the change. Sankey said the league is keeping everyone informed on what’s going on, but the decision is ultimately up to the league.

“We keep them updated,” Sankey said, via Simonton. “But they’re not dictating.”

The idea of changing the schedule comes ahead of SEC expansion with Oklahoma and Texas preparing to leave the Big 12 and join the league. Sankey wouldn’t say if things would change with league’s TV partnership, but reiterated the conference is keeping everyone in the loop on the discussions.

“I don’t talk about TV contracts,” Sankey said. “We keep our future TV partner … long up to speed on the conversations.”

SEC making progress on scheduling format, transfer deadline

As the SEC’s annual spring meeting continues in Destin, Florida this week, On3’s Jesse Simonton is on-site talking with conference leaders about the direction of these closed-door discussions which will shape the future of college football. Among the biggest talking points so far, a new conference schedule format – brought about by the pending arrival of Oklahoma and Texas from the Big 12 – and a new transfer portal entry deadline have stood out.

According to Simonton, indications from SEC leaders suggest the momentum rides with a nine-game conference schedule each season which protect three yearly rivals and rotates six other opponents. Meanwhile, the SEC is leaning toward not accepting Alabama’s proposal to move the transfer portal entry deadline for players to move within the conference – keeping it on Feb. 1 instead.

While no official decisions on either discussion is imminent at this point, multiple athletic directors, coaches and commissioner Greg Sankey have all offered insight during media sessions.