SEC set to follow Big Ten’s lead with injury report rule; a bold move against gambling pressures

According to reports from multiple outlets, the SEC is set to introduce a mandatory injury report for its teams in the upcoming season. This will see the conference following the footsteps of the Big Ten, which introduced the rule ahead of the 2023 college football season.

The issue was addressed during the SEC's annual spring meetings in May with members reportedly offering their opinion on the move. Commissioner Greg Sankey indicated to reporters that, although the topic would be on the agenda, no final decision would be reached that week.

"We are going to have a discussion about student-athlete availability reporting," Sankey said. "Members of our staff have been working on this project, really since last summer."

"I referenced some considerations that we would have. That doesn’t mean there’s going to be a decision. In fact, you should not expect a decision. But you should expect a discussion."

While the move hasn't been officially approved, multiple sources suggest that the details are nearly finalized and are expected to be implemented in the upcoming season. A decision could come as early as two weeks from now when league athletic directors are set to meet.

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The SEC’s commitment to protect sports bettors

Since PASPA was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2018, several states across the country have moved to legalize sports betting. With bettors allowed to wager on college football and other amateur sports, Sankey believes there is a need to adequately protect them.

"I’ll say again, it's not good enough for states just to allow legalized sports gambling," Sankey said at the SEC Media Days in July. "They owe protection to the participants, and the online and direct pressures that come from those who aren't successful in their gambling decisions affect our participants in every state."

Having the injury reports of a team gives bettors a clear insight into the team's situation and their strength going into a game. This enables them to make a much more calculated betting decision that could reduce the risk of a loss.

A host of people within the SEC, including Georgia coach Kirby Smart, have given their support to the mandatory injury report because it comes as a protection for gambling. Smart voiced his opinion during the media days in Dallas.

“If it helps with gambling then I’m all for it,” Smart said. “If it’s geared to getting knowledge out there that people are trying to get from our student-athletes and it protects them, I’m certainly for that.”

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The Big Ten leads the way among Power Five leagues

The Big Ten became the first Power Five conference to implement a mandatory game day availability report in 2023. The measure aimed to safeguard the integrity of the game in the context of gambling.

"The well-being of our students, coaches, and staff, as well as the integrity of our competitions, are of paramount importance," Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said ahead of the 2023 season.

"Enhanced transparency through availability reporting and partnering with U.S. Integrity strengthens our efforts to protect those who participate in our games as well as the integrity of the games themselves.”

It’s worth noting that the likes of LSU and Florida have led the way in implementing this in the SEC. The two have released weekly injury reports in the previous season and were said to back the latest move by the conference after it was raised in the spring meeting in May.