SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey Appears on the Dan Patrick Show

By Carlie A.Horn

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey joined Dan Patrick on The Dan Patrick Show on Tuesday.

Sankey discussed the pressures the administrators are feeling in other power conferences. The BIG 10 and Pac-12 has cancelled the upcoming season due to COVID-19 and will attempt to try a spring season. Everyone has now turned to the SEC and other conferences to see what their plans are.

The league has decided to delay the season and start on September 26. They will also be using December 12 as a common open week. This will be the week before the championship game on the 19. The common week will be set in place for interruptions or rescheduling.

Sankey answered some hypothetical questions on the show. When asked if the SEC would play by itself even if the rest of the Power Five is canceled he said, "I don't think that's the right direction, Could we? Certainly!"

Sankey was also asked, if other teams could  join the conference just for the year. He said that it would it  not be practical.

Patrick asked Sankey if students were safer playing in college football, and Sankey's response was,"they are in a much more healthy situation, working out in our facilities, with medical care, with health protocols around COVID and this new environment."

Sankey believes they have made it safe by controlling the environment and putting them in healthy situations. "What we're continuing to do, is support the return of healthy competition," said Sankey.

The SEC leaders are looking into third party testing to help football be more viable and make it possible for independence.

"Our medical advisory group has said,'Yes we can continue to go forward.' Were that advice to change,certainly would be a stopping point,"said Sankey.