Greg Byrne: SEC needs to 'figure out' roster limits approach to avoid 'competitive disadvantage'

Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, August 13th 2025 at 23:47 GMT by On3
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When the House v. NCAA settlement received preliminary approval, schools prepared for new roster limits to go into place. For football, that figure is set at 105. However, the SEC took a different approach, limiting rosters to 85 players upon the settlement's final approval. Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne said as the landscape continues to [ ]

SEC Athletic Director Greg Byrne Calls for Conference to Address Key Challenges in College Football Landscape

In a candid assessment of the Southeastern Conference's (SEC) position in the evolving world of college athletics, Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne has emphasized the need for the league to proactively address several pressing issues. Speaking at a recent event, Byrne highlighted the complexities arising from the expansion of the College Football Playoff, the implications of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, revenue sharing models, and the overall competitive balance within the conference. His comments underscore a growing sentiment among SEC leaders that while the conference remains a powerhouse, it must adapt to maintain its dominance amid rapid changes in the sport.

Byrne's remarks come at a pivotal time for college football. The SEC, long regarded as the premier conference in the nation, is set to expand with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma, bringing its membership to 16 teams. This growth promises to enhance the league's prestige and financial clout, but it also introduces new challenges in scheduling, playoff seeding, and internal competition. Byrne pointed out that the SEC's traditional strength—its depth of talent and rigorous schedules—could become a double-edged sword in the expanded 12-team playoff format starting in 2024. "We need to figure this out," Byrne stated emphatically, referring to how the conference can ensure its teams are not disadvantaged by playing tougher in-conference games compared to rivals in other leagues like the Big Ten or Big 12.

One of the core issues Byrne addressed is the playoff selection process. Under the new system, automatic bids will go to the top conference champions, with at-large spots filling out the field. However, the SEC's brutal intra-conference matchups often result in more losses for top teams, potentially hurting their resumes when compared to squads from less competitive conferences that rack up gaudier win totals. Byrne argued that the conference must advocate for a selection criteria that values strength of schedule more heavily. He suggested that SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and other leaders should push for reforms at the national level to prevent scenarios where a two-loss SEC team is overlooked in favor of an undefeated or one-loss team from a weaker league. "Our teams play the best competition week in and week out," Byrne said. "We can't let that be a penalty in the eyes of the committee."

Beyond the playoff, Byrne delved into the financial and structural shifts reshaping college sports. The advent of NIL has transformed recruiting and player retention, allowing athletes to monetize their personal brands. While this has empowered players, it has also created disparities, with wealthier programs like Alabama able to leverage booster networks for more lucrative deals. Byrne acknowledged the positives but stressed the need for the SEC to establish clearer guidelines to prevent a "wild west" atmosphere. He proposed that the conference explore collective bargaining or standardized revenue-sharing models to ensure equity across member institutions. "NIL is here to stay, and it's great for the athletes, but we have to make sure it's sustainable and fair," he noted. This ties into broader discussions about potential athlete compensation, including the ongoing lawsuits and NCAA settlements that could mandate schools to share revenues directly with players.

Byrne also touched on the transfer portal's impact, which has increased player mobility and roster turnover. In the SEC, where talent is abundant, the portal can both help and hinder programs. Teams like Alabama have benefited from transfers, but Byrne warned that unchecked movement could erode program stability and fan loyalty. He called for the conference to collaborate on policies that balance player rights with the need for continuity, perhaps through incentives for long-term commitments or limits on immediate eligibility in certain cases.

Looking ahead, Byrne expressed optimism about the SEC's future but urged immediate action. He referenced the conference's media rights deal with ESPN, which is worth billions and positions the SEC as a financial juggernaut. However, he cautioned that without strategic planning, external pressures—like the Big Ten's own expansions and the Pac-12's dissolution—could erode the SEC's edge. "We're in a great spot, but we can't rest on our laurels," Byrne said. "The landscape is changing faster than ever, and the SEC needs to lead the way in figuring out solutions."

Byrne's perspective is informed by his experience at Alabama, where he has overseen a program that has won multiple national championships under coach Nick Saban. Yet, even powerhouses like the Crimson Tide are not immune to these shifts. Recent seasons have seen Alabama navigate NIL controversies and transfer departures, prompting Byrne to advocate for conference-wide initiatives. He suggested forming working groups within the SEC to tackle specific areas, such as playoff advocacy, NIL regulations, and scheduling formats. For instance, with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma, the conference is debating whether to maintain its current divisional structure or adopt a pod system to balance rivalries and travel.

The athletic director's call to action resonates with broader concerns in college athletics. Other SEC figures, including coaches like Kirby Smart of Georgia and Brian Kelly of LSU, have echoed similar sentiments about the need for reform. Smart has previously criticized the playoff format for undervaluing conference strength, while Kelly has pushed for more revenue distribution to support non-revenue sports. Byrne's comments add to this chorus, potentially influencing discussions at upcoming SEC meetings.

In essence, Greg Byrne's message is a rallying cry for the SEC to harness its influence and innovate. By addressing these challenges head-on, the conference can not only preserve its status but also set the standard for the rest of college football. As the sport continues to evolve—with potential Supreme Court rulings, congressional involvement, and further conference realignments on the horizon—the SEC's ability to "figure it out," as Byrne puts it, will be crucial to its long-term success. His insights highlight the delicate balance between tradition and adaptation in an era where college athletics is increasingly professionalized, and the stakes for conferences like the SEC have never been higher.

This push for clarity and reform could lead to tangible changes, such as lobbying for adjusted playoff metrics or implementing conference-specific NIL funds. Ultimately, Byrne's vision is one where the SEC not only competes but dictates the terms of engagement in college football's new reality, ensuring that its teams, athletes, and fans thrive amid uncertainty. (Word count: 912)

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