News to share from Birmingham as the Southeastern Conference has just announced commissioner Greg Sankey has agreed to a contract extension that will keep him in his current role through at least 2026.

After managing to quickly and discretely add Texas and Oklahoma to the league this offseason, Sankey is worth whatever the SEC is paying him.

Prior to making those bold moves, Sankey was instrumental in keeping college football from canceling the 2020 season, something other powerful leaders called for at this time last year.

“College athletics is in the midst of a transformational period, and the SEC is fortunate to have a highly impactful leader to guide us forward at this critical time in our history,” said Jere Morehead, President of the University of Georgia and current President of the SEC said in a released statement. “He has effectively introduced change and advancement for the conference while respecting the institutional traditions that make the SEC unique. His leadership and ability to foster collaboration through the COVID-19 pandemic helped establish a framework for all of college sports, and those leadership skills will be critical as we move forward with change in the years ahead.”

Sankey has served as SEC commissioner for seven seasons.

“I am grateful for the support of the SEC’s presidents and chancellors, and for the continuing opportunity to serve our universities while supporting the student-athletes of the Southeastern Conference,” said Sankey. “We are in the midst of a time of change for college athletics, and I look forward to working with the SEC’s campus leaders to identify a path forward that will sustain the incredible success of our Conference and provide opportunities for young people to grow academically and challenge themselves athletically.”