Greg Sankey fires back at ACC, Big 12: ‘I don’t lecture others about good of the game’

Greg Sankey was not amused by recent comments from his counterparts in the ACC and Big 12.

After the College Football Playoff voted to change to straight seeding for the upcoming 2025 season, CBS Sports spoke to ACC commissioner Jim Phillips and Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark.

Today’s decision was done in the best interest of the sport,” ACC commissioner Jim Phillips told CBS Sports in a written statement. “It may not always benefit the ACC but it was the right decision and that’s a responsibility I take very seriously.

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark echoed Phillips’ sentiments, telling CBS Sports in a statement that he hopes what’s best for the sport ‘continues to be the priority in any discussions moving forward.’

Sankey spoke to media members at the SEC Spring Meetings and fielded questions about College Football Playoff expansion. He was asked about the ACC and Big 12’s comments, and took issue with the conferences lecturing others.

Greg Sankey from his SEC media session in Destin: "I don’t need lectures from others about the good of the game……or coordinating press releases about the good of the game." He references the Big 12 and ACC releases in wake of seeding vote last week.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) May 26, 2025

Greg Sankey on ACC and Big 12 statements to @CBSSports last week on the good of college football for CFP: "Look at the track record. We didn't need 12. IFfwe stayed at four, we would have had half of (the field… I don't need lectures on the good of the game."

— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) May 26, 2025

On a related note, Sankey noted that 4 CFP automatic bids for the SEC could be seen as the compromise to other options.

Andrew Olson

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.