On Monday, the Southeastern Conference was named a nominee for League of the Year by the Sports Business Journal (SBJ).
Additionally, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey is up for an award himself from the SBJ, as he was named a nominee for Sports Executive of the Year.
The SEC is joined by six other leagues to be nominated, however, it is the only college conference to be nominated for the League of the Year award. The other six being the NFL, NHL, UFC, WNBA and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
As for Sankey, this is the second consecutive year the SEC commissioner has been nominated for the award. This year, he is the only nominee from the college world and is joined by eight others. The other executives up for the award are Ari Emanuel (Endeavor), Cathy Engelbert (WNBA), Roger Goodell (NFL), Tim Leiweke (Oak View Group), Steve Phelps (NASCAR), Jimmy Pitaro (ESPN) and Michael Rubin (Fanatics).
Via an SEC press release:
Launched in 2008, the Sports Business Awards were established by the Sports Business Journal to celebrate excellence in the business of sports. The 2022 nominees and winners are being recognized for the period from March 1, 2021 – February 28, 2022. The winners in 13 categories will be determined by a group of more than 40 industry executives. Award winners in two categories – Athletic Director of the Year and Executive of the Year – will be selected solely by the Sports Business Journal.
The 15th annual Sports Business Awards ceremony, a night celebrating excellence in sports business, will be conducted in person for the first time in three years on Wednesday, May 18, at the New York Marriott Marquis Times Square. The winners will be announced live at this event.