SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey's Salary For 2024 Is Out

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey continues to get compensated handsomely as one of the most powerful people in college sports.

According to Sportico's Daniel Libit, the SEC's total revenue dropped from $853 million to $840 million during the 2024 fiscal year. The conference paid $808.4 million to its 16 schools, with new members Texas and Oklahoma each making less ($27 million) than the others in its inaugural year.

Meanwhile, Sankey made $4.22 million in his ninth year. His earnings increased from $3.55 million in 2023.

After adding Texas and Oklahoma, Sankey signed a contract extension through 2028 in July 2023. He reportedly made $3.7 million in 2022. 

"Greg Sankey continues to lead the SEC effectively through these challenging times for college athletics," University of Georgia President Jere W. Morehead said in a statement announcing Sankey's extension. "Under his visionary stewardship and commitment to collaboration among our members, the SEC has emerged as the nation's most stable and successful athletic conference. [The] announcement reflects our enthusiastic endorsement of Greg's ongoing leadership of our conference to even greater heights."

Sportico noted that the SEC's legal fees jumped from $2.81 million to $4.33 million in 2024. Additionally, the conference's lobbying expenses skyrocketed from $81,039 to $1.29 million.

That massive lobbying increase could be tied to seeking federal NIL regulation. Sankey called for Congressional oversight during a recent interview on The Paul Finebaum Show. 

"It's a time of enormous change and enormous complexity. And when we talk about having Congressional help, it's not a plea," Sankey said (h/t 247Sports). "It is an observation that Congress can set national standards for college sports yet again. We need to work through that, collectively, in a non-partisan way to make sure what is uniquely special about American college sports can continue."

The final approval hearing for the House v. NCAA settlement is scheduled for April 7. If approved, schools could start directly paying student-athletes. 

Sankey's 2024 payment is more than any athlete has ever reportedly made in yearly NIL compensation. Reports had Carson Beck receiving a record-setting $4 million to transfer out of the SEC from Georgia to Miami, but The Athletic said the quarterback will get a bit over $3 million from University of Miami collectives.