Greg Sankey Signs New Deal To Stay As SEC Commish

With the SEC continuing to grow, it's only fitting that commissioner Greg Sankey gets more security. And that is precisely what Sankey received. The conference has now extended his contract through 2026.

Sankey, 57, has been SEC commish since 2015. His current deal was set to expire in 2023, so the extension is for three years.

“College athletics is in the midst of a transformational period, and the SEC is fortunate to have a highly impactful leader to guide us forward at this critical time in our history,” said Jere Morehead, President of the University of Georgia and current President of the SEC. Sankey "has effectively introduced change and advancement for the conference while respecting the institutional traditions that make the SEC unique.

"His leadership and ability to foster collaboration through the COVID-19 pandemic helped establish a framework for all of college sports, and those leadership skills will be critical as we move forward with change in the years ahead.”

Sankey has been in the news a lot lately, or at least the SEC has, as Texas and Oklahoma were formally admitted to the conference last week. Both schools currently compete in the Big 12 and will join the SEC by 2025.

But Sankey himself helped negotiate the SEC’s shift from CBS to ESPN/ABC, starting in 2024-25, in a deal that is reportedly worth $3 billion. He has also led the charge in making sure all SEC football programs are set to play a full season in the fall.

“I am grateful for the support of the SEC’s presidents and chancellors, and for the continuing opportunity to serve our universities while supporting the student-athletes of the Southeastern Conference,” Sankey said.

“We are in the midst of a time of change for college athletics, and I look forward to working with the SEC’s campus leaders to identify a path forward that will sustain the incredible success of our Conference and provide opportunities for young people to grow academically and challenge themselves athletically.”

Sankey served as commissioner of the Southland Conference from 1996-2002. He then took a position as SEC associate commissioner, then moved into his current role following the retirement of Mike Slive in 2015.