FORMAL PROPOSAL FOR A NEW COLLEGIATE FOOTBALL FRAMEWORK

To: Greg Sankey, Commissioner, Southeastern Conference (SEC)Tony Petitti, Commissioner, Big Ten Conference

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This proposal outlines the structure and operational framework for a new, independent collegiate football model outside of the NCAA, centered around the SEC and Big Ten conferences. The proposed league structure ensures greater financial flexibility, competitive balance, and institutional control while maintaining historic rivalries and regional alignment. The new structure is based on a three-tiered system, promoting sustained competitiveness and maximizing revenue potential for all participating institutions.

The implementation of this model will establish the SEC and Big Ten as the premier collegiate football governance bodies, ensuring stability, fair competition, and enhanced revenue-sharing mechanisms for all participants. This document provides a comprehensive legal and operational framework, outlining governance structures, competition formats, financial provisions, and legal considerations for this new football structure.

ARTICLE I: FORMATION OF THE SEC-BIG TEN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION (SBTFA)

1. Name & Structure:
   • The SEC and Big Ten shall jointly govern the SEC-Big Ten Football Association (SBTFA) as the sole governing body overseeing the newly structured football competition.
   • The SBTFA will operate independently of the NCAA, with an established legal entity responsible for competition regulation, revenue distribution, and compliance.
2. Membership & Governance:
   • The SBTFA shall be governed by a Board of Directors, composed of representatives from both conferences, with equal voting representation.
   • The Board shall oversee rule enforcement, financial operations, scheduling, and postseason structures.
   • The SBTFA shall maintain a Competition Committee responsible for overseeing the fairness of the promotion-relegation system and other regulatory matters.
3. Membership Requirements & Compliance:
   • All Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams are prohibited from scheduling or playing games against non-SBTFA members.
   • Failure to adhere to SBTFA rules, regulations, and structures, including promotion/relegation, may result in removal from the association at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
   • If a team is removed, invitations for replacement schools will be issued to ensure league continuity. The Board of Directors may choose to promote or realign teams before issuing invitations to potential replacement teams or after receiving acceptance in order to ensure competitive and regional balance.

ARTICLE II: COMPETITION STRUCTURE

SECTION 1: TIER 1 – PREMIER DIVISION

1. Composition:
   • The Premier Division shall consist of two conferences (SEC & Big Ten), each containing 16 teams, organized into four regional divisions per conference.
   • The 32 teams in Tier 1 shall be permanent members unless relegated through competitive results.
2. Regular Season Format:
   • Teams shall play a 12-game regular season, consisting of:
     • 7 intra-conference games (all teams in division & one rotating division matchup).
     • 3 inter-conference matchups (SEC vs. Big Ten crossover games).
     • 2 games against Tier 2 opponents.
   • A dedicated rivalry week shall ensure traditional matchups remain intact.
3. Postseason Format:
   • Division winners automatically qualify for the Tier 1 Championship Tournament.
   • The lowest-ranked team in the region of a Tier 2 team that reaches the Tier 1 final shall face the Tier 2 team participating in the final in a relegation playoff.
4. Relegation:
   • The loser of the relegation playoff will be demoted to Tier 2 for the following season.

SECTION 2: TIER 2 – COMPETITIVE DIVISION

1. Composition:
   • The Competitive Division consists of 20 teams per conference (40 total), divided into four regional divisions per conference.
   • Membership shall be by invitation, with all non-SEC and non-Big Ten Power Five teams included.
2. Regular Season Format:
   • Each team shall play a 12-game schedule, featuring:
     • 7 intra-conference games (all teams in their division and one rotating division).
     • 1 guaranteed game against a Tier 1 team.
     • A second Tier 1 matchup for 16 of the 20 teams (rotating annually). The remaining 4 teams shall play an additional Tier 3 game instead of a second Tier 1 matchup.
     • 2 games against Tier 3 teams.
3. Promotion & Relegation:
   • Any Tier 2 team participating in the Tier 1 Championship Final earns an opportunity for promotion to Tier 1 via a relegation playoff against the lowest-ranked Tier 1 team in its region.
   • If the Tier 2 champion wins the playoff, they move up and the Tier 1 team is relegated.
   • If the Tier 1 team wins, it retains its spot for another season.
   • The bottom two teams in Tier 2 are relegated to Tier 3.

SECTION 3: TIER 3 – DEVELOPMENTAL LEAGUE

1. Composition:
   • The Developmental League consists of top-performing Group of Five and elite FCS programs, forming a structured pathway to Tier 2.
2. Regular Season Format:
   • Teams play a 10-game schedule, allowing for flexibility in non-league matchups.
3. Promotion & Relegation:
   • The top two teams in each conference (SEC & Big Ten) move up to Tier 2 annually.
   • The bottom two teams in Tier 2 are relegated to Tier 3.

ARTICLE III: FINANCIAL & LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS

1. Revenue Distribution:
   • Tier 1: 50% of media rights & sponsorship revenue.
   • Tier 2: 30% revenue allocation.
   • Tier 3: 20% revenue allocation, with additional incentives for competitive performance.
2. Compensation & NIL Structure:
   • Players in Tier 1 and Tier 2 shall be directly compensated via a conference-pooled salary structure.
   • Salary caps will be enforced in both tiers to maintain competitive balance.
   • Tier 3 players will receive NIL-based compensation opportunities.
3. Legal Entity & Compliance:
   • The SBTFA shall be incorporated as an independent legal entity with regulatory oversight.
   • Governance structures shall comply with federal labor laws, Title IX requirements, and contractual obligations with media partners.

ARTICLE IV: IMPLEMENTATION & TIMELINE

1. Phase 1 – Legal & Structural Formation (Year 1):
   • Establish the SBTFA governing body and negotiate media rights agreements.
2. Phase 2 – Competitive Transition (Year 2):
   • Organize initial Tier 2 invitations & establish regulatory structures.
3. Phase 3 – Full Competitive Launch (Year 3):
   • Implement promotion-relegation system and fully transition to independent governance.

CONCLUSION

This proposal provides a structured, financially viable, and legally sound alternative to the NCAA model, positioning the SEC and Big Ten as the dominant forces in collegiate football governance. By leveraging promotion and relegation, direct player compensation, and structured revenue sharing, this framework ensures the continued growth and profitability of college football while maintaining its competitive integrity.

We welcome further discussion on the legal, financial, and logistical implications of this transition.SEC & BIG TEN FOOTBALL STRUCTURE: THREE-TIER MODEL

SEC STRUCTURE

BIG TEN STRUCTURE