As Big 12 Pushes for Fairness, Sankey Says SEC Holds the Cards

As the debate over the future of the College Football Playoff ramps up, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey offered a thinly veiled response to Brett Yormark and other league voices pushing for a more balanced format.

Speaking Monday at SEC Media Days, Sankey leaned into a poker metaphor to explain the SEC’s approach, saying, “It’s part of the gambling experience. You always want to have a good set of cards, a good hand to play. I think we have the best hand to play.”

The comment comes just weeks after Yormark and ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips reiterated support for the 5+11 format, which would lock in five automatic bids for conference champions, and 11 at-large spots. The SEC and Big Ten have advocated for fewer auto-bids and more flexibility for at-large selections, an approach that would almost certainly favor their leagues’ depth.

While Sankey stopped short of naming Yormark or directly addressing the format push, the tone was unmistakable. “We’re not committed to any particular format. We’re interested,” Sankey said, making clear the SEC isn’t giving up any leverage as negotiations continue.

For the Big 12, Sankey’s confidence only underscores why leaders like Yormark continue pushing for a postseason structure that rewards conference success, not just brand perception. As CFP decision-makers eye a December 1 deadline for the 2026 format, expect commissioners from leagues like the Big 12 to keep pressing the case for access, equity, and competitive legitimacy.

In a high-stakes game of playoff politics, the SEC might think it holds the best hand, but the rest of the table isn’t folding anytime soon.