Goodman: The SEC’s plan to break away from the NCAA

This is an opinion column.

The conversation surrounding a potential SEC secession is intensifying. While some may dismiss the talk as mere noise, high-profile voices within the conference suggest the threat is becoming increasingly real.

A Bold Stance from Georgia

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart recently addressed the topic during the SEC spring meetings, emphasizing that the conference must be prepared to act if the current landscape remains unmanageable. Smart, widely considered the league’s premier coach, noted that he has long advocated to his president that if standardized rules cannot be established for everyone, the SEC should consider forging its own path.

“I’m not afraid to break away and say that our conference is strong enough to go out and play,” Smart stated.

The Battle for Control

The strategic maneuvering between the SEC and the Big Ten has reached a fever pitch. While the SEC secured major wins by adding Texas and Oklahoma from the Big 12, the Big Ten has responded with a series of calculated moves, including the dismantling of the Pac-12 and an aggressive pursuit of a 24-team playoff format.

The push for 24 teams—supported by the ACC, Big 12, and Notre Dame—is viewed by many as a direct attempt to weaken the SEC’s grip on the sport. The SEC, meanwhile, remains committed to a 16-team playoff, a move designed to preserve its significant resource and television ratings advantage.

A New Professional Reality

For SEC commissioner Greg Sankey, the path forward may require a radical departure from the traditional model. If the goal is to stabilize the future of the conference, shifting toward a hybrid professional league could offer the legal framework necessary to navigate current challenges like NIL collectives and the transfer portal.

By transitioning to a professional model, the league could legally classify football players as employees, enabling collective bargaining, a salary cap, and a formal draft system. Such a structure would provide the stability required to retain elite talent, potentially creating a clear separation from the bureaucracy of the NCAA.

The Geographic Edge

While the Big Ten has expanded its footprint to 18 teams—including the additions of USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington—the SEC maintains the geographic advantage of being located in the heartland of college football fanaticism. Should the SEC decide to strike out on its own, high-profile programs such as Clemson, Florida State, Miami, North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia Tech would likely be prime candidates for expansion.

As the landscape continues to shift, the pressure mounts on leadership to determine whether they will continue to play by current rules or look to reshape the future of the sport entirely.

Mailbag Sound Off

Have a take on the future of the SEC or a question for the columnist? Send your thoughts to the 205focus.com reader mailbag and let your voice be heard.