"Major step in wrong direction": SEC Commish Greg Sankey sends NCAA new request over college players betting on pro sports

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey is firmly against the NCAA's decision to allow collegiate athletic department personnel and student-athletes to gamble on professional sports.

Sankey says it's a “major step in the wrong direction.”

According to On3 Sports, the SEC commissioner sent a memo to NCAA president Charlie Baker urging a rescinding of the decision.

Sankey wrote,

"The SEC’s Presidents and Chancellors believe the NCAA should restore its prior policy or a modified policy communicating a prohibition on gambling by student-athletes and athletics staff, regardless of the divisional level of their sport."

The memo is the result of a meeting on October 13, 2025, between SEC presidents and chancellors. The report states that the meeting attendees were "clear and united" in their desire for the NCAA to reverse course.

On October 22, the NCAA announced it had formally adopted a new policy allowing athletic department staffers and collegiate student-athletes to bet on professional sports. The policy became official last Wednesday as the Division III approved the move for its programs. The SEC's memo came out mere days before the November 1 date when the NCAA ban on gambling on pro sports is set to be lifted.

Texas A&M, Alabama, and Georgia lead the SEC standings after Week 9

In the meantime, the Texas A&M Aggies, Alabama Crimson Tide, and Georgia Bulldogs lead the SEC standings after Week 9. All three teams are in advantageous spots ahead of the business end of the college football season.

The Texas A&M Aggies are the in-form team in the conference. They're 8-0 this season (5-0 in conference play). The Aggies' next game is against the Missouri Tigers.

The Alabama Crimson Tide is second in the conference standings. Kalen DeBoer's side is 7-1 (5-0) in conference play and hasn't lost since its first game of the campaign. Next up for the Crimson Tide is a matchup versus the LSU Tigers.

The Georgia Bulldogs round up the conference top three after Week 9. The Bulldogs are 6-1 (4-1 in conference play), with their sole loss of the season coming against archrivals, the Alabama Crimson Tide. Next up for Kirby Smart's troops is a fixture against the Florida Gators.