SEC leaders are pushing for a new regulatory balance in college sports as athlete pay, legal risks, and power grabs test the integrity of amateur athletics.
At a Glance
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey calls direct athlete payments a “necessary chapter” in college sports reform
A proposed NCAA settlement would allow schools to pay athletes directly under a $20.5M revenue-sharing cap
Olympic and non-revenue sports could face reduced funding under the new economics
SEC will now fine schools $500K flat for field storming after games, regardless of frequency
College sports leaders are urging Congress to intervene before athletes are legally deemed employees
SEC Steps into the NIL Spotlight
In a stark reflection of how far college athletics has evolved, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey is now openly embracing direct payments to athletes as a vital step forward. Speaking at the CAA World Congress of Sports, Sankey acknowledged that the amateur model is shifting permanently. “[It] is a necessary chapter,” he said, emphasizing the growing need to reconcile tradition with legal and economic realities.