ESPN insider explains why Greg Sankey has the power to unite conferences for CFP expansion
By Adam Spencer
Published:
ESPN insider Heather Dinich has her finger on the pulse of the College Football Playoff more than many media members these days.
She’s been covering the discussions that recently ended without plans to expand the 4-team CFP field in the near future.
Would it be possible for the conferences to come to an agreement about Playoff expansion? Dinich joined “The Paul Finebaum Show” last week and explained why Greg Sankey is the guy who has to lead the way (via On3 Sports):
“Well, I guess there has to be one, most-powerful voice in that room. And I don’t know that there is necessarily a most-powerful voice, but Greg Sankey is clearly the most powerful person in college football,” Dinich said. “And I don’t say that because of the network that I’m on right now.
“I mean, we have to realize that if college football, if the Playoff is going to expand — and it doesn’t have to be unanimous — we’re talking about Year 13. A brand new system from scratch. Then, it’s about participation. There has to be a majority of those ten FBS commissioners and (Notre Dame AD) [Jack] Swarbrick, including a majority of the Power Five commissioners, in order for it to happen. It’s not going to happen without Greg Sankey. Right? So, theres a lot of that. There’s got to be some push and pull.
“Bob Bowlsby in the Big 12 will tell you over and over again that they did not get to where they are with four without compromise. Something, or someone, has got to give.”
Which side will give? It remains to be seen if and when the commissioners get together again for expansion discussions.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
