In this episode of On Stage, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey joins Sports Business Journal’s Rachel Axon for a candid interview that took place on April 22, 2025, at the CAA World Congress of Sports presented by Sports Business Journal.

Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in college athletics, Sankey dives into the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of the NCAA and beyond:

• College Football Playoff (CFP) Format: Sankey offers a behind-the-scenes look at the ongoing discussions and why there’s no final model in place yet.
• NIL: He unpacks the evolution of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and why a national clearinghouse could help restore trust and transparency.
• Congressional Involvement & Liability Protection: Sankey discusses why national standards matter, his thoughts on antitrust exemptions, and what real reform could look like.
• Media Rights & Conference Expansion: His perspective on how these forces are reshaping the SEC and college sports as a whole.
• Student-Athlete Welfare: How the conference balances commercial imperatives with the well-being and development of student-athletes.
• Vision for the Future: Sankey shares his thoughts on the next chapter for college sports, what’s working, and what still needs to be addressed.

This conversation— which took place in front of a packed ballroom of sports leaders—provides great insights from the frontlines of the college sports evolution.

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