Greg Sankey takes blame on lack of communication about Oklahoma, Texas additions

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey takes blame for being clandestine over the additions of Oklahoma and Texas to the conference.

While most people would welcome strong athletic brands like Oklahoma and Texas to their conference, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey admits he was not a great communicator internally about the high-profile acquisition and expansion efforts.

“I didn’t communicate effectively. I’ll own that,” said Sankey to the Houston Chronicle. This exclusive interview comes off the heels of Sankey visiting College Station, home to Texas A&M University. Texas A&M would have been the biggest critics of the SEC expanding from 14 to 16 teams to include Oklahoma and Texas. They may be big rivals with Texas, but money always talks.

Eventually, Oklahoma and Texas will become full-fledged members of an expanded 16-team SEC.

Greg Sankey takes ownership over the clandestine Oklahoma, Texas additions

Look. When massive college athletic brands like Oklahoma and Texas approach a commissioner together in a rare moment of unity about potentially joining another conference, listen. These are the two brands that the Big 12 was built on. While Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby has added four schools (BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, UCF) to replace them, these abrupt departures will be felt.

The first wave of realignment a decade ago was because of Texas, so it should not be surprising that the Longhorns ignited the second one. However, Sankey probably had to do what he did in secret to get Oklahoma and Texas to agree to leave the Big 12 for the SEC. The Pac-12 could have had Texas the last time around, but their former commissioner Larry Scott messed that one up.

Ultimately, a member institution like Texas A&M cannot be too proud to let a rival school in. If the SEC were to ever venture into ACC territory, schools like Florida and South Carolina would have to come to grips that their conference would be better if they added Clemson and Florida State into the mix. Simply put, if it does not make dollars, then it does not make sense. Money always talks.

Sankey could have been more transparent, but sometimes you have to strike while the iron is hot.

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