If there’s a narrative that has defined the Southeastern Conference’s offseason, it has been the threat of a breakaway from the NCAA’s current structure.

The possibility of defecting was an overarching theme in May to the conference’s annual spring meetings in Destin, Florida. Georgia president Jere Morehead sounded the alarms as something the SEC needed to consider, especially if proposed federal legislation didn’t deliver the long desired and lobbied solutions it has asked for. 

Kirby Smart, Morehead’s national championship-winning coach, echoed his boss’ perspective down in Florida.

“I’ve said this for a long time now…I’ve been a huge advocate that if we can’t find rules that everybody plays by, then we should play our own,” Smart said in May. “I’m not afraid of that.”

The possibility of the SEC breaking away from the NCAA came up again this week down in Florida again as the SEC’s annual media days hit Tampa. When asked about whether there had been conversations around the SEC breaking off to do its own thing, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey did nothing to tamp down the speculation. 

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“They’re real,” Sankey said. “People have talked about that. They’ve opined about the frustrations that bring them to the point of saying we should look at something significantly different. I do not believe that is a leverage point. I think that’s just honest communication.”

Whether Sankey’s last point is truthful is debatable. There are those within the SEC who insist the threats and frustration are real, and that the SEC could forge its own path. Others outside of the SEC realm have been skeptical that it is anything more than a tactic to gain back some leverage. For years now, the threat of a possible breakaway from the NCAA has loomed over college athletics. The SEC and Big Ten have used it to their advantage, too, in College Football Playoff discussions, wresting power away from the other conferences after threatening to walk away. 

SEC’s slide diminishes threat

The issue is the SEC threatening to walk away, even if it’s never been more realistic to some stakeholders, doesn’t hold quite the same power as it once did. The Big Ten has won the last three national championships. The SEC appears to be on an island in its playoff expansion desires as the Big Ten swayed the ACC and Big 12’s support to its preferred 24-team format. The SEC is still a television ratings behemoth and its slogan of “It Just Means More” still rings true, but the conference doesn’t seem to have quite the juice it once did. Morehead’s suggestion this spring that last season’s Georgia-Alabama SEC Championship could be for the national championship elicited chuckles and eyerolls across the sport. The more the breakaway is talked about without corresponding action, the less impact it has. 

Could the SEC break away and do its own thing? Sure. The ratings would still be very good. We’d all still watch the Iron Bowl, Georgia vs. Florida, the Egg Bowl, etc. Fans would still pack Neyland Stadium, Kyle Field and Tiger Stadium to see their teams. 

But would college football be better if the SEC did that? Of course not. 

We haven’t had a shared national championship since the 2003 season in which LSU and USC each claimed a share of it. That’s a good thing. We don’t need to go back to a world where the national champion isn’t decided on the field. The sport has plenty of challenges, but one of the core conferences splintering off would only make things worse. We don’t need six months of offseason debate over whether the SEC champion or the CFP champion is the true national champion. 

Sankey could save college football (again)

When I think about a possible SEC breakaway, I think back to the COVID-19 impacted pandemic season. It was a tremendously taxing time for college athletics leaders – as it was for many of us – and there was no easy solution to the myriad of real issues that cropped up. No one in college athletics showed better leadership during that period than Sankey. He was patient, thoughtful and resilient in the face of outside pressure. When other conferences, especially the Big Ten, made rash decisions to postpone games, he resisted the urge to follow them. 

There’s a real argument to be made that without Sankey’s leadership, there would not have been a fall 2020 college football season. Especially not with the Big Ten and Pac-12 announcing in August they were postponing their fall seasons until the following spring. But while the SEC was prepared to possibly go at it alone, Sankey realized there was power in numbers. He believed the ACC was on board to stay the path, too, and was deeply worried about whether the Big 12 would or not. Having three of the Power Five conferences competing that season would give it additional legitimacy. Eventually, all three committed to playing the 2020 season, albeit with some adjustments like a conference-only SEC slate. That forced the Big Ten and Pac-12 to reverse course and play a shortened fall schedule after all.

“A lot happens, and we always played college football,” Sankey told me last year. “We’ve had World Wars, we played college football. We had a pandemic in 1917 – I think that was the Spanish flu – we played college football. One of the books I read indicated that there had arguably been seven pandemics in the last century, and we played college football. We had a stock market crash and not only did we play college football, but we birthed the Southeastern Conference out of the Great Depression. We had civil unrest, which we dealt with in 2020, and we played college football. I was in an intense, constant learning cycle with really valuable pieces of input that hopefully inform effective decision-making.” 

That historical perspective is helpful when understanding the current landscape of college athletics. There is deep frustration throughout the system. Frustration over NIL and revenue sharing. Frustration over the barrage of lawsuits, especially eligibility-related ones, and the frequent losses in the court system. Frustration over current proposed federal legislation that initially aimed to limit the power of the SEC and Big Ten, among other thrusts. 

And, yet, the games each Saturday are still great. Through it all, college football is still played. 

Breaking away could create more problems

The solution isn’t walking away. It is finding realistic fixes to the sport’s woes and common sense compromises with the other powerful conferences, especially the Big Ten. 

Sankey, in comments to CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello on Tuesday, seems to understand that. 

“I also think that if we just walked away from the NCAA, whether we’re frustrated or not, we’d be back in front of Congress in a conversation,” Sankey told CBS Sports. “So, my observation to our league is that’s not a priority for us. And so, the headline that’s developed – that there’s some breakaway being considered – that’s not actually what the answer was. There are frustrations, informing the ask that there has to be a better way, and we’re trying to work to improve the system.”

That last part is key. Improving the system, not creating its own, is what the SEC must do for the betterment of the sport. 

Nigeria’s U20 team, the Flying Eagles, have arrived in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, ahead of the 2026 WAFU B U20 Championship, which begins this weekend.

The defending champions landed in Abidjan on Monday before travelling by road to Yamoussoukro, where they are staying at the Trio Corridor Hotel.

The Flying Eagles will begin their title defence against Ghana’s Black Satellites on Monday at the Lycée Scientifique Stadium. Nigeria defeated Ghana 2-1 in the final of the last edition in Lomé to lift the trophy.

Coach Abdu Maikaba’s side will then face Togo on Thursday before taking on Burkina Faso on Sunday, 2 August, in their final group match.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has invited 23 players for the tournament. They are:

Goalkeepers: Lawani Clinton (Sporting Lagos), Olayemi Ayinla (Warri Wolves).

Defenders: Wahab Musa (FC Malaga), Timilehin Agbonjimi (FC Ablaze), Odinaka Alfred (Aseami Academy), Somto Nnoli (Akwa United), Samson Joshua (Galadima FC), Ebrima Manneh (Sporting Supreme), Abdoulaye Agbeloye (Grassrunner FC), Habila Simeon (Golden Boot Soccer Academy).

Midfielders: Imrana Muhammad (Deportivo Alaves), Saifullahi Yusuf (Wikki Tourists), Israel Samuel (Abia Warriors), Sani Shuaibu (Wikki Tourists), Oraro Lucky (Warri Wolves), Rufai Abubakar (NK Istra 1961), Auwal Muhammad (Bichi First).

Forwards: Jamilu Yusuf (Junior Danburan), Adamu Hussaini (Barau FC), Abdulmuiz Adeleke (Sporting Supreme), Abdullahi Ele (JMD FC), Gift Subi (P Sport Academy), Aminu Yusuf (Kano Pillars).

The WAFU B U20 Championship will also serve as the qualifying tournament for the next Africa U20 Cup of Nations.

Minnesota Vikings fans were thrilled by the club’s decision to sign wide receiver Jauan Jennings in May, as the purple team formed its most formidable WR trio on paper since the days of Randy Moss, Cris Carter, and Jake Reed.

But a San Francisco 49ers-themed website offered a cautionary tale last week, insinuating that Jennings isn’t all he’s cracked up to be.

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The Warning from Niners Noise

NinerNoise.com‘s Michael Haney spilled the beans last week, explaining, “They’re about to find out what Kyle Shanahan and the Niners learned the hard way about Jennings in 2025. The 29-year-old receiver’s career is headed in the wrong direction, and he may not provide the boost Minnesota is looking for.”

Jennings’ production dropped dramatically in 2025. While he scored a few extra touchdowns, he put up just 643 receiving yards on 55 catches. The opportunities were certainly there with George Kittle and Ricky Pearsall missing significant time, but Jennings was unable to maintain the production he had enjoyed the year before.”

It’s the first notable buzzkill of the Jennings era in Minnesota.

“His yards per route run plummeted from 2.26 in 2024 to 1.35 in 2025. Things didn’t get any better in the playoffs, as he caught just three passes across two games,” Haney continued.

“If Jennings continues the form he showed in his final season with the 49ers, Vikings fans are only going to be disappointed. It’s looking like Lynch and the Niners moved on from the veteran receiver at the perfect time.”

Jennings’s 600+ Receiving Yards Will Work Just Fine

Jennings banked 975 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns in 2024. The following year, he totaled 643 yards and 9 touchdowns. Per production, he basically swapped touchdowns with yards — which is arguably just what the Vikings need from a WR3 in 2026.

Justin Jefferson isn’t a total touchdown magnet, at least compared to his vast receiving yard totals, so Jennings’s wherewithal to find the endzone will be welcomed in the Twin Cities with open arms.

Of course, Haney’s article fails to mention the spike in touchdowns from 2024 to 2025. It could’ve killed the argument in its tracks.

A WR1 or WR2 Might Be a Different Story

If the Vikings needed Jennings to enter the offense and become the undisputed WR1, there may be a problem. But that’s not the case. That’s Jefferson’s job. Minnesota also employs Jordan Addison at WR2, who is akin to Jennings in that he finds the endzone more than Jefferson while not quite putting up the yardage numbers.

The fact of the matter is that Minnesota needed a WR3 to replace Jalen Nailor, who vamoosed for the Las Vegas Raiders in March, and if one doesn’t think Jennings’s 600- to 1000-yard modus operandi is enough for the task, someone is mistaken.

Jennings is the Vikings’ WR3, not WR1 or WR2.

Trust the Process

The Vikings signed Jennings with a purpose. He won’t have visions of grandeur to oust Jefferson from the WR1 post.

And it’s unlikely that head coach Kevin O’Connell and then-interim general manager Rob Brzezinski signed Jennings flippantly. They already defined what his role would look like in Minnesota’s offense: Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy distributing the ball among Jefferson, Addison, and Jennings on Sundays.

While Jennings didn’t quite post yardage totals from 2024 in 2025, it cannot be put more bluntly than this: nobody cares.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

Lionel Messi’s pep talks during World Cup final spark theories. (Video grabs)

Fresh footage of Lionel Messi‘s pre-match and half-time team talks has reignited debate over whether Argentina entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup final carrying more baggage than just the weight of defending their title.The newly surfaced videos, recorded inside the dressing room and players’ tunnel before Sunday’s final against Spain, have prompted widespread fan speculation after Messi repeatedly urged his teammates to “forget everything” and focus solely on football. The footage has gone viral after Argentina produced one of their most subdued performances under Lionel Scaloni, eventually losing 0-1 after extra time to Spain at MetLife Stadium.While Spain dominated proceedings throughout, Argentina failed to register a meaningful attacking threat for long periods, with their first shot arriving only deep into extra time.

Messi’s repeated message raises questions

The first video, filmed moments before the players left the dressing room, shows Messi attempting to calm an unusually tense-looking squad.“Calm, let’s stay calm, lads. Let’s think about playing, nothing else. Stay calm. Let’s forget about everything, let’s forget about everything. Let’s focus on playing,” the Argentina captain told his teammates.Another clip from the tunnel captures Messi delivering a similar message moments before kick-off.“Come on, boys, let’s forget what happened, as if nothing had happened,” Messi was heard telling his teammates.The wording immediately caught the attention of supporters, particularly because several players — including Lisandro Martinez and Enzo Fernandez — appeared visibly emotional and unusually subdued.Martinez was later forced off injured during the first half, while Fernandez was sent off late in normal time after receiving a second yellow card.

Half-time rally alongside Emiliano Martinez

Messi’s leadership continued during the interval as television cameras picked up another motivational speech before Argentina returned for the second half.“Come on, lads. Personality, people, personality. We’ve always had it, so why wouldn’t we have it now? We have the personality to play,” Messi urged.Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also attempted to inspire the squad with an equally passionate message, saying, “With heart, lads. Let’s move forward, not backward… Only cowards play backward.”Despite the rallying cries, Argentina struggled to impose themselves before Ferran Torres eventually scored the winner in the 106th minute.The unusual nature of Messi’s comments has triggered numerous theories on social media. Adding to the mystery, Scaloni remarked after the final that “things happened” before the match but declined to elaborate “out of respect for the tournament.”

Emotional aftermath

Messi later reflected on the defeat in an emotional Instagram message.“The pain is immense, and it will take time for this wound to heal,” he wrote. “But I also hold on to all the good… this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals.”Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul also dismissed accusations surrounding Argentina’s tournament run, criticising those who spread “baseless conspiracy theories” during the World Cup.For now, the viral footage has only deepened intrigue. Messi’s repeated plea to “forget everything” remains unexplained.

SEC Media Days serves as college football’s unofficial opening ceremony — a four-day traveling roadshow where coaches, star players, television personalities and reporters descend on one city to shape the sport’s biggest narratives before a single snap is played. 

The 2026 version kicked off on Monday, with Tampa, Florida hosting the event for the first time. Dallas, Nashville and Atlanta have served as hosts for the previous three years.

No conference does theater quite like the SEC. Media Days has evolved from a routine preseason obligation into one of the sport’s premier annual events, where perception often matters almost as much as production. Before anyone wins a game this fall, the race for headlines begins in Florida.

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Oklahoma’s Brent Venables began the festivities on Monday morning. Four coaches will speak in the main room each day. Steve Sarkisian and Texas finish out the week on Thursday afternoon. Several preseason Heisman candidates will also be in attendance, including Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning, Ole Miss star Trinidad Chambliss and Oklahoma’s John Mateer.

Here’s a look at where to watch 2026 SEC Media Days, along with a breakdown of the full appearance schedule ahead of the anticipated event. 

Where to watch 2026 SEC Media Days 

Dates: July 20-23
Location: Tampa Marriott Water Street + JW Marriott | Tampa, Florida
TV: SEC Network | Live stream: ESPN+

2026 SEC Media Days schedule 

All times Eastern

Wednesday, July 22

Alabama (9:05 a.m.) – Kalen DeBoer | Zabien Brown, DB; Ryan Coleman-Williams, WR; Bray Hubbard, DB 

Florida (10:30 a.m.) – Jon Sumrall | Jadan Baugh, RB; Myles Graham, LB; Vernell Brown III, WR

Ole Miss (1:30 p.m.) – Pete Golding | Trinidad Chambliss, QB; Will Echoles, DT; Kewan Lacy, RB

Texas A&M (2:55 p.m.) – Mike Elko | Daymion Sanford, LB; Marcus Ratcliffe, S; Marcel Reed, QB

Thursday, July 23

LSU (9:05 a.m.) – Lane Kiffin | TJ Dottery, LB; Trey’Dez Green, TE; Whit Weeks, LB

Arkansas (10:30 a.m.) – Ryan Silverfield | Caden Kitler, OL; Quincy Rhodes Jr., DE; Sutton Smith, RB

Mississippi State (1:30 p.m.) – Jeff Lebby | Anthony Evans III, WR; Kelley Jones, CB; Kamario Taylor, QB

Texas (2:55 p.m.) – Steve Sarkisian | Trevor Goosby, OL; Arch Manning, QB; Colin Simmons, DE

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Lionel Messi has spoken after Argentina’s defeat in the final, describing his feelings as immense pain and admitting the loss would leave a deep mark.

In the FIFA rankings, Spain have returned to first place ahead of Argentina. France remain third despite their defeat against England in the third-place match (6-4).

Rudi Garcia will leave his position as Belgium manager despite guiding the team to the World Cup quarter-finals.

The football world has also paid tribute to Kevin Keegan, who has died at the age of 75.

In cycling, Jonas Vingegaard will undergo collarbone surgery after his crash on the Tour de France. Stage 16 features a 26.1-kilometre individual time trial this Tuesday.

In tennis, Océane Dodin claimed her first victory on the WTA Tour in two years at the Prague tournament, while Mayar Sherif won the Iași tournament after Paula Badosa retired in the final.