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While conference expansion is the order of the day in college football, that probably doesn't extend to the SEC, per Commissioner Greg Sankey. According to Sankey, the league remains one of the least likely leagues to be doing any expansion. He recently discussed the five-year plan for the league's future on "The Triple Option" podcast, and it isn't likely to include any new expansion (via On3.com):
"As I look out five years, I'm not focused on numbers. I think the quality of our 16 members stands... above in a unique way," SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said while discussing possible SEC expansion.
Further comments on SEC expansion from Greg Sankey
Given the massive amount of conference-shifting traffic, Sankey was careful to avoid explicitly ruling out any expansion. However, his comments revealed that the SEC would proceed cautiously and would extensively evaluate any possible expansion members for a culture fit.
"We'll be prepared if further adjustment is needed," Sankey admitted.
SEC expansion history
The SEC was initially founded in 1932 with 13 members. Of those members, 10 have remained in the SEC for the ensuing 92 years. Original members Georgia Tech, Tulane and Sewanee have not lasted in the league.
In 1990, the SEC announced an expansion, adding Arkansas and South Carolina in time for the 1991-92 basketball season. The league had remained at 10 teams from 1965 until then. The 1991-92 round of expansion brought divisional play into SEC sports, as well as the birth of the SEC Championship football game.
In 2011, another round of expansion was announced, with the SEC adding Missouri and Texas A&M in time for the 2012-13 athletic season. The divisional format remained in place at that time.
Then, in 2021, the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners asked the SEC to become new members. That process started a domino chain in which many of college athletics' major players realigned into new conference relationships. Texas and Oklahoma are now official members in time for the 2024-25 season.
Possible SEC expansion targets
There are a multitude of possible SEC members that have been rumored, many springing from the ACC. North Carolina would allow the SEC to add a new team without infringing on the state dominance of an existing SEC school, a problem that might make that school more attractive than, say, Clemson or Florida State.
Among the other schools mentioned as possibilities are Virginia or Kansas, neither of which has an existing SEC school and both of which border states with existing SEC squads. The recent considerations of Florida State or Clemson potentially looking to leave the ACC did nothing to harm the rumors of either of those schools moving to the SEC.
Still, Sankey's comments on Wednesday seemed to confirm that, at least for the next five years, the current 16-team alignment is going to be the SEC's plan.
What do you think about possible SEC expansion, and which teams do you think could join the league? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
