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SEC Commissioner: TV Partners Hold Power
22 Jul
Summary
- TV networks prioritize viewership over team convenience.
- SEC delegates kickoff time authority to television partners.
- Commissioner admits schools have limited say in scheduling.
Television networks are making the final decisions on kickoff times for SEC football games, prioritizing audience engagement over team preferences. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey confirmed at SEC Media Days that this authority has been delegated to television partners. He stated that while the conference and its member institutions may have differing opinions on game placements, the current contracts empower broadcasters to choose the best windows.
Sankey acknowledged that this situation can lead to scheduling challenges, such as late-night games followed by early-morning kickoffs. However, he emphasized that student-athletes are resilient and well-prepared to handle such demands. The SEC is accumulating notes and learning experiences from these scheduling outcomes to inform future television contract negotiations, aiming for greater flexibility down the line.
