Sankey once more backs 9-game convention schedule – ESPN

ATLANTA — SEC commissioner Greg Sankey on Wednesday reiterated his perception that the league ought to undertake a nine-game convention schedule — a long-discussed change that would assist result in a choice concerning the future format of the School Soccer Playoff.
Sankey stated the convention has been discussing a nine-game league schedule because the Clinton administration, however a choice may lastly come within the ensuing weeks or months.
“I believe we needs to be working in the direction of that,” Sankey stated in a wide-ranging interview with ESPN at SEC media days. “My life would not finish if we do not. There’s this absolutist notion that he will dictate what is going on to occur. I believe we should always have an grownup dialog. We should always be capable to decide. I believe 9 video games would promote nice curiosity by way of the yr, however it might be laborious to teach. I’ve had candid conversations with coaches. I’ve instructed them that.”
The SEC’s future schedule is tied to the playoff discussions as CFP leaders proceed to debate the very best format for 2026 and past. The SEC has indicated a desire for a 16-team mannequin that would come with the 5 highest-ranked convention champions and 11 at-large groups — a format that has gained traction however nonetheless lacks help from the Massive Ten, which is pushing for automated qualifiers and play-in video games. A number of sources in that convention have stated they will not think about the 5+11 format except the SEC and ACC transfer to a nine-game league schedule. The Massive Ten and SEC have the majority of management over the longer term format in line with a memorandum of understanding signed by the FBS commissioners and Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua.
Sankey stated that whereas his “membership is serious about transferring to 16,” he hasn’t picked a format and hasn’t deserted the potential of a 14-team playoff.
“It is an possibility,” he stated. “It was put into the consideration in January of ’24 after we have been going by way of the trouble to signal the settlement. It is nonetheless there.”
Whereas it appears inconceivable to untangle the league’s scheduling determination with the playoff debate, Sankey boiled the deadline for any choices all the way down to the one one which’s on paper — the subsequent TV settlement with ESPN.
“It says it’s important to decide the ’26 format by Nov. 30,” Sankey stated. “There’s truly a ’26 format. It is 12 groups and 5 convention champions. We are able to change it if we alter it by that date, however that is the one date that I do know exists, and every part else in between appears as much as the events making the choice.”

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