Greg Sankey gets real about SEC expansion theories triggered by FSU & Clemson leaving ACC to join Big 12 expansion

Following the addition of Texas and Oklahoma, there’s been a lot of rumors about the next phase of SEC expansion. The conference, which boasts about being the most competitive in college football, has over the years been very selective about the teams it expands with.

With Clemson and Florida State actively pushing to leave the Atlantic Coast Conference, SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey set the record straight at the Media Days event. He noted that the SEC is currently focused on its 16 teams and won't get involved in the ACC litigations.

"I pay attention. We are focused on our 16. I’ve said before that I am not a recruiter. ... I’m not going to entangle (the SEC) in litigation," Sankey said when asked if he was paying attention to the situation in the ACC with Clemson and Florida State.

The Big 12 becoming an option for Clemson and Florida State

The latest conference realignment reports suggest that Clemson and Florida State are in discussion through third parties with the Big 12 over a possible realignment. This brings a whole new angle to the possibilities that could occur in the next phase of SEC expansion.

The SEC has been thought to be the likely destination for the Seminoles and the Tigers over the last couple of years. However, reports from college football insider Greg Swaim suggest that the two schools have been turned down by the SEC for its next phase of expansion.

Sankey’s words during the early part of the 2024 Media Days also give a clue that the SEC might not be open to adding Florida State and Clemson. Nonetheless, this does not rule out the possibility of SEC expansion having other plans regarding the situation within the ACC.

Texas and Oklahoma are not the only teams that pushed to join SEC expansion

SEC is undoubtedly a lucrative conference that many reputable programs in the world of college football are hoping to be part of. Greg Sankey disclosed during the SEC Media Days that Texas and Oklahoma weren't the only schools that reached out over possible realignment.

It is believed that Clemson and Florida State would have reached out to Sankey regarding possible moves as they continue to push to leave the ACC. As it stands, it's pretty hard to predict the direction of the SEC expansion in the next phase and which teams it currently considers as potential candidates.