Greg Sankey says SEC is open to 24-team Playoff, decision expected ‘sooner rather than later’
By Jacob Moss
Published:
2026 marks the third year of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff format, but further expansion looks all but inevitable as discussions about what the next iteration could look like continue at the highest levels of the sport
As more information has come out of these talks, it’s become clear that the CFP will most likely end up doubling to a 24-team format when the next round of expansion rolls around, a proposition that has received mixed reviews across the sport.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey initially pushed back on expanding to 24 teams, but it looks like his opinion has changed regarding the matter, with Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde reporting on Wednesday that he is now “open” to the idea.
Per Forde, Sankey told reporters at SEC basketball media days that the league is open to the 24-team format as long as the SEC scheduling expectations are “met nationally,” and he also said that an official decision should come “sooner rather than later.”
This comes after the longtime conference leader initially voiced concerns about adding 12 additional teams to the CFP, preferring instead to move to a far more manageable 16-team format.
It looks like Sankey has seen the writing on the wall, though, realizing that the move to 24 is all but certain. Given this reality, it looks like he’s now shifted his focus towards making sure the SEC’s scheduling concerns are remedied.
