Greg Sankey Opens Up About Golf Trip with Donald Trump

On Sunday, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua met with President Donald Trump at the golf course for a private discussion about the future of college athletics.

In a recent press conference with commissioners from each Power Conference, Sankey revealed what had transpired, but kept the talking points as discreet as possible.

“Not a secret,” Sankey said on the outing. “Had the opportunity to play around and golf with the president. I’ve always appreciated his interest in college sports. We’ve hosted him at some of our games. I think, collectively, we’ve hosted him at national championships. What was helpful for me is – and for Pete as well – to hear his thoughts and his perspectives, to share some of ours. I think those are best left for the moment on the golf course.”

While Sankey gave a non-starter of an answer, many theories about the meeting had been publicized.

Trump’s involvement is likely the next step in clearing up some of the confusion in the sport, however, his implementation of the college sports commission earlier this summer didn’t exactly get off the ground.

Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger was the first to report the news about the trip, saying, “Donald Trump is hosting two influential college sports leaders Sunday at Bedminster as he explores involvement in the industry. Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua and SEC’s Greg Sankey are golfing with the president at his request.”

“The three men are expected to spend extended time together beyond their round of golf as NCAA leaders seek Congressional and White House assistance for a federal standard to stabilize and regulate what’s become an unruly structure,” Dellenger continued. “Trump has grown interested in the issues, even deeply exploring the possibility of issuing an executive order and creating a commission to study the many developments, such as player movement in the transfer portal, booster-backed compensation to athletes, and the impact on women and Olympic sports.”

Will anything come of the meeting with Trump? Likely not, but for what it’s worth, a story is a story, regardless of the outcome.