Greg Sankey & Abraham Madkour

Greg Sankey: SEC Commissioner

Interviewed by Abraham Madkour: Publisher and Executive Editor of Sports Business Journal

Thursday, November 10, 2022 | 6:30 p.m.

College sports are in the midst of major change as the landscape shifts under daily and dynamic pressures. From conference realignment and opportunities around name, image and likeness to revenue growth and changes in the overall structure of athletics within the university model, college leaders are facing challenges like never before. Hear the most influential executive in college sports talk about how he navigates through it all in leading the Southeastern Conference. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey will sit with Sports Business Journal‘s Abe Madkour for what promises to be an eye-opening and wide-ranging conversation that you won’t want to miss.

About Greg Sankey:

Greg Sankey became the eighth Commissioner of the Southeastern Conference on June 1, 2015 and has worked diligently to build upon the SEC’s recognized success, strong foundations and rich traditions. Sankey has effectively introduced change and advancement for the conference while respecting the institutional traditions that make the SEC unique. With an understanding of the highly competitive environment of college sports, he has fostered the collaborative culture of the SEC that sets the conference apart and supports its continuing success. Sankey brings a big picture approach to his position through continuing focus on a vision that positions the SEC to leverage its athletics success and popularity for a greater overall cultural and economic impact on the region, the nation and the world.

Sankey first joined the SEC staff in 2002 as Associate Commissioner for Governance, Enforcement and Compliance and later added supervision of the league’s championships staff to his responsibilities. He was elevated to Executive Associate Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer for the league office in 2012, becoming responsible for the day-to-day operation of the SEC Office. Before moving to the SEC, Sankey served as Commissioner of the Southland Conference for nearly seven years. He joined the Southland Conference staff in 1992, where he served as both assistant and associate commissioner before he was named its commissioner in 1996 at the age of 31. Prior to his term at the Southland Conference, he was Director of Compliance and Academic Services at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA, as well as coach of the Demon’s golf teams. Before his tenure at Northwestern State, he was the Director of Intramural Sports at Utica College in upstate New York.

A native of Auburn, NY, Sankey earned his master’s degree from Syracuse University and his undergraduate degree from the State University of New York College at Cortland. Sankey and his wife, Cathy, reside in Birmingham, AL, and have two adult daughters, Hannah (and her husband, Rod) and Moriah.

About Abraham Madkour:

Abraham Madkour is Publisher and Executive Editor of Sports Business Journal. He is responsible for the overall business of the recognized leader in sports business news and information. He oversees the editorial content, as well as the business performance and business strategy. In addition, he oversees the various conferences produced by SBJ, including the prestigious World Congress of Sports, the Forty Under 40 awards dinner and the Sports Business Awards gala. Mr. Madkour is an oft-requested speaker on all issues related to the sports business. He started at the company a Staff Writer at The Sports Business Daily in 1994.

Thank you, Sponsors!

Lead Sponsor:

Joyce Griffin
Jean Wessel Templeton
Dana and Jay Town

President’s Circle Sponsors:

Boeing
Nancy and Richard Crunkleton
Betsy and Peter Lowe
Loretta Spencer
Thompson Gray, Inc.

Additional Support:

The University of Alabama Systems

2022-2023 Series Sponsors:

All event ticket sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.

Greg Sankey & Abraham Madkour – November 10, 2022