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NCAA Departure by SEC Would Carry High Risks

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey explains his stance on the SEC's affiliation with the NCAA, suggesting that departure may not be the most advantageous decision.

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SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey expressed his reasons behind the SEC's ongoing association with the...
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey expressed his reasons behind the SEC's ongoing association with the NCAA, arguing against the notion of the SEC's potential secession. He believes that the SEC remaining within the NCAA would likely be more advantageous.

NCAA Departure by SEC Would Carry High Risks

Mulling Over the SEC's Potential Exit from the NCAA: A Closer Look

Last week, Southeastern Conference (SEC) commissioner Greg Sankey stirred up a storm, implying that discussions about the SEC leaving the NCAA have occurred. During a conference meeting, Sankey hinted at high-level discussions among the four power conferences—the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC—regarding bumps in D-I governance powers.

Unfortunately, Sankey didn't propose an SEC exit from the NCAA. On the contrary, he emphasized the conference's preference to stay within the NCAA. Yet, he acknowledged the possibility of the SEC severing ties, given that it's a discussion on the table.

So, let's delve into the nitty-gritty of what this could mean, starting with the bare essentials: if a conference or school wished to, they could indeed cut ties with the NCAA. As a private, member-organization, the NCAA has no direct authority to enforce its rules on individuals. Members reserve the right to leave and set up their eligibility standards.

Per Judge Mack Kidd's famous ruling in 2003, the SEC could technically part ways with the NCAA, provided that its exit complies with member rules. Afterwards, the SEC could establish its preferred rules for athlete eligibility, name, image, and likeness (NIL), transfers, minimum GPA, employment, and countless other topics. There would be the necessary legal hurdles concerning federal and state laws, but generally speaking, the SEC is well-equipped to handle such obligations.

Consider, for instance, the SEC's impressive $3 billion media rights deal with ABC and ESPN, and its ability to feed more players to the NFL than any other conference. The SEC has the financial means and resources to stand alone, not to mention a widely recognized and appealing brand with a dedicated fanbase. Additionally, the SEC has the institutional knowledge and budget to develop an enforcement arm and manage conduct issues.

Yet, parting ways with the NCAA might not be as straightforward as it seems. Here are five compelling reasons why the SEC might find secession a less-than- appealing idea:

  1. The SEC can't rid itself of co-defendant status in antitrust lawsuits. In recent years, the NCAA has faced numerous antitrust accusations. Despite being mostly associated with the NCAA, power conferences — including the SEC—are still defendants, sharing the burden of legal fees.
  2. The NCAA serves various purposes admirably, even if not without controversy. Although the NCAA has faced scathing criticisms for its policies, it has accomplished a great deal in advancing academic goals, enforcing educational requirements, promoting player health, and organizing tournaments for a diverse range of sports.
  3. The SEC's national reach might not be as far-reaching as the NCAA's. When compared to the NCAA's sway over different regions of the country and elective officials, the SEC may not hold as much influence. Moreover, the NCAA often absorbs blame for various grievances within college sports, so the SEC would also have to bear that responsibility in its absence.
  4. The SEC might struggle to replace the appeal of the NCAA's flagship tournament: March Madness. While the SEC could stage its own basketball tournaments for both men's and women's teams, it wouldn't possess the same allure and excitement as the NCAA's "tournament," with its underdog stories and bracket madness.
  5. A standalone SEC league or super league might too closely resemble professional sports. The NCAA has long argued that consumers are drawn to college sports because they're distinct from professional sports, with students as players who strive for degrees and academic success. If the SEC and other power conferences were to resemble pro sports too closely, fans' interest may dwindle.

In closing, while the idea of an independent SEC league may seem intriguing at first glance, a deeper examination reveals a complex decision matrix. It's worth considering both the potential advantages and challenges the SEC would face in going solo or merging with other power conferences.

Sports analysts are debating the potential impact of the SEC potentially leaving the NCAA, sparked by SEC commissioner Greg Sankey's hints about high-level discussions among power conferences regarding governance powers. If the SEC were to secede, they could establish their own eligibility standards, NIL policies, transfer rules, and more, as the ruling by Judge Mack Kidd in 2003 allows for such a move in compliance with member rules. However, the SEC might face challenges such as sharing co-defendant status in antitrust lawsuits, reducing the appeal of events like March Madness, and resembling professional sports too closely.

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