SEC Media Days in Dallas are underway.
To get things started, commissioner Greg Sankey took to the podium.
Here's what you need to know from what was said.
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Sankey is 'focused on our 16' as response to expansion talks
Sankey was repeatedly asked about expansion. It's the top of everyone's mind right now and rightfully so. In response to nabbing Texas and Oklahoma, the Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC also expanded leading to the collapse of the Pac-12.
So what's next? Florida State and Clemson seem to be the next big programs on the move and the SEC is a logical fit to many.
Sankey's response is that of course he's in the loop but right now the focus is on the 16 teams in the conference.
"I pay attention," Sankey said. "As I said, we're focused on our 16. I've said before at Media Days, I'm not a recruiter. My job is to make sure we meet the standard of excellence that we have for ourselves on a daily basis. That attracts interest. It's done that with the two universities that we have added this year. They're not the only phone calls I've ever had, but I'm not involved in recruitment. Our presidents have been clear that I am not going to entangle us in litigation around expansion. So I pay attention, but I'm not engaged in those conversations."
Sankey also touched on prior agreements that have been made and how those will hold up. Some schools are inked into a conference for the future but courts could decide how much those will actually lock teams in.
"In fact, as I understand, the issue is agreements have been signed, the decisions have been made among a conference," Sankey said. "And the question is are those going to be honored as they were established? And apparently that's for a court to decide now."
When specifically addressing the Seminoles and Tigers, Sankey says he's not in the business of recruiting. He's looking for the best interest of the SEC but harping on specific expansion isn't his priority.
"The broader implications, obviously if things change, then there's a new level of uncertainty," Sankey said. "It already creates speculation that I think is counterproductive, but I don't spend an enormous amount of my time thinking about it. I certainly don't spend any time engaged in that recruiting activity because we're focused on our 16, and I want to be respectful of the difficulty that's currently faced with that issue -- that set of issues within the ACC and my colleague Jim Phillips."
Greg Sankey talks new technology coming to football
The landscape of college sports changing isn't just limited to conference alignments. There is also a changing world of technology that is being adjusted to.
One of these is a deal with Apple to bring iPads to the sidelines. This will presumably work similarly to the NFL where Surface Pros are used to instantly watch film and dissect mistakes.
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"I am pleased to acknowledge that as we explore new ways to use technology in our competitive experiences and to advance the sport of football, we're proud to work with Apple to introduce iPads for sideline use during the upcoming football season to elevate the performance of our student-athletes," Sankey said. "You know the college football rule change that's gone into effect this fall permits teams to use this video resource and the large multitouch display of an iPad, combined with its amazing performance and incredible portability, I know has benefitted me on a daily basis, and it makes it the ideal solution for our coaches and student-athletes to use in-game video efficiently."
The other big technology change is putting headsets in helmets for communication purposes. Now, a head coach or offensive coordinator can call in a play directly to a quarterback instead of flashing signs from the sideline.
There's still no SEC tiebreaker in place
We're under 50 days until teams take the field to begin the 2024 college football season. However, a tiebreaker for teams with the same record in the standings is yet to be established.
Sankey said he met with athletic directors on Thursday where there was an 'update' but there is still no word on how it will be decided.
"We had our athletics directors on a videoconference Thursday where we provided an update," Sankey said. "It is a lengthy plan consolidated around, I think, eight principles. We go back to our athletics directors at their next videoconference that's about two weeks away. We can finalize that any time between now and the start of the season. We have an annual in-person meeting where any of the little pieces that have been identified for review can be refined and finalized. So absolutely."
This doesn't feel like it should be too hard to decide but apparently it's something that still hasn't been ironed out. There will need to be an update heading into the season, though.
Afterall, with no divisions and 16 teams, there will surely be plenty of tiebreakers that result in one team going to the SEC Championship game over another in the future.
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