Greg Sankey reveals he was heckled by Big Ten fan at Wrigley Field over SEC schedule

Rivalries in college football never sleep. Apparently, the same is true when it comes to Big Ten vs. SEC. Just ask SEC commissioner Greg Sankey, who thought he was going to enjoy a relaxing day at Wrigley Field watching the Chicago Cubs game.

Instead, Sankey was heckled about where the SEC stands with its conference scheduling. The current debate sits at eight games vs. nine. But this one Big Ten fan wants Sankey to take things one step further, having some fun with the moment.

“I was at Wrigley Field a week and a half ago, sitting behind home plate,” Sankey said Thursday on The Paul Finebaum Show. “As soon as I sat down, there was some Big Ten fan who stands up and starts yelling ‘You need to play 10 games, 10 conference games. You guys need to play 10 conference games.’ No hello. Just knew who I was in the middle of Wrigley Field. The opposite of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. I was not in the rightfield bleachers, I was right behind home plate.”

Sankey laughed through his telling of the story, knowing the interaction was not too serious. He almost mentioned another prominent figure in college athletics was in attendance, seeing Louisville Cardinals men’s basketball head coach Pat Kelsey. Quite the visitor list for an August game at Wrigley Field.

As for the baseball, Sankey did not specify which game he was at. Given the timeline he told Finebaum, a series against the Cincinnati Reds might be the best bet. The Cubs wound up losing two of three to their NL Central rival.

Greg Sankey pushing for nine-game SEC schedule

Greg Sankey has made his thoughts on the eight vs. nine-game debate quite clear. He would be in favor of the SEC adding an additional conference game. More than just the SEC’s interest might be on the line, with a report from On3’s Brett McMurphy saying the decision might affect the College Football Playoff.

During SEC Media Days, Sankey doubled down on having nine SEC games. Coaches around the conference might not agree but it’s what the commissioner appears to be pushing for.

“I think we should be working towards that,” Sankey said. “My life doesn’t end if we don’t. There’s this absolutist notion that he’s going to dictate what’s going to happen. I think we should have an adult conversation. We should be able to make a decision. I think nine games would promote great interest through the year, but it would be hard to coach. I’ve had candid conversations with coaches. I’ve told them that.”