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SEC Considers Nuclear Option. Could Walk Away From NCAA, Fix Things Itself
Smart said the SEC could support its own postseason if conference leaders decide to break away and keep programs financially stable.
- Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart said Tuesday the SEC could operate its own playoff if it splits from NCAA governance, declaring he is 'not afraid to break away' if uniform rules cannot be established.
- The SEC has been shut out of every CFP championship game since the 12-team format launched in 2024, with no SEC team reaching the title game in four years since Georgia faced TCU in January 2023.
- Georgia president Jere Morehead told The Athletic last week a separate SEC postseason would be 'fantastic,' backing Smart's position, though critics warn self-governance risks competitive disadvantage against NCAA-governed programs.
- Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti stated last week his conference backs only 12 or 24 teams, rejecting the SEC's 16-team preference; the CFP format must be decided by December 1 for 2027 implementation.
- With the SEC championship generating an estimated $100 million annually through 2034 via ESPN, the conference possesses significant financial leverage for independence, though Commissioner Sankey indicated no format decision will come during this week's spring meetings in Destin, Texas.
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wfmd.comKirby Smart supports SEC leaving NCAA if there aren’t major changes: ‘I’m not afraid to break away’
As with everything else in the world of modern college football, there’s debate and disagreement over how to handle NIL and other major issues around the sport. There’s the hope for more structure and consistent rules around things like roster limits, construction, spending, oversight and enforcement. The NCAA, weakened over time, has become an almost cosmetic body that primarily impacts individual player waivers. There continues to be hope for …
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Total News Sources16
Leaning Left3Leaning Right2Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution45% Center
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources are Center
45% Center
L 33%
C 45%
R 22%
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