Greg Sankey Challenges NCAA’s Decision on College Athlete Sports Betting

In a surprising twist, the NCAA’s decision to let college athletes bet on professional sports has sparked a lot of backlash. The controversy has already forced a delay in rolling out the new policy.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has spoken out strongly against the move. He’s been pushing for the NCAA to walk back the rule change entirely.

Background of the NCAA’s Decision

The NCAA recently chose to lift its ban on college athletes betting on pro sports. This rule change was supposed to start on October 28, 2025, after Division II and III councils gave their approvals on October 22.

But the decision didn’t land well with everyone. Greg Sankey, for one, argued that this could put the integrity of college sports at risk.

Greg Sankey’s Opposition

In a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker, Sankey laid out his concerns. He pointed to the recent FBI arrests tied to an NBA gambling scandal as a warning sign.

Sankey believes letting college athletes bet on pro sports could blur ethical lines and normalize gambling in ways that harm judgment. He also said it could erode trust in college athletics.

His letter played a big role in the NCAA Division I Board of Directors’ choice to push back the rule’s start date to November 22, 2025.

Concerns Over Integrity and Athlete Welfare

Sankey and other critics mainly worry about protecting the integrity of college sports. If athletes start gambling—even just on pro games—there’s a bigger risk of insider info leaking or games getting compromised.

There’s also the pressure factor. College athletes already juggle enough challenges, and adding gambling to the mix could weigh heavily on them.

Impact of Recent NBA Gambling Scandal

The NBA gambling scandal, which led to charges against Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, and ex-NBA player Damon Jones, highlights the risks. Even with all the oversight and education in the pro leagues, things still went sideways.

It makes you wonder: If pro athletes—with all their resources—can get caught up in scandals, what about college athletes, who don’t have nearly as much support?

NCAA’s Stance and Survey Findings

The NCAA has stuck to its guns, saying the rule change would help protect the integrity of college sports. They also claim it could encourage healthier betting habits among student-athletes.

A 2024 NCAA survey found that 21.5% of male college athletes had bet on sports at least once in the past year. At the Division I level, that number was 12.6%.

The NCAA argues that legalizing betting on pro sports could help keep things above board. Maybe it would make it easier to track and regulate what’s already happening.

Federal Investigations and Ongoing Concerns

The federal government has started looking into several schools for suspicious betting activity in college basketball. That’s not exactly reassuring.

In September 2025, the NCAA launched investigations into players from schools like Arizona State and Temple for alleged gambling violations. These cases make it pretty clear that loosening restrictions now might not be the best idea.

Broader Implications and Stakeholder Reactions

Greg Sankey says the NCAA’s policy has always stood for collective integrity. He thinks taking away the ban sends the wrong message, especially with the gambling industry growing so fast.

People have mixed feelings about the delay. Pittsburgh football coach Pat Narduzzi didn’t hold back—he called lifting the ban one of the “stupidest decisions” he’s ever seen.

Future of Sports Betting in College Athletics

No one really knows what’s next for sports betting in college athletics. The delay until November 22, 2025, buys everyone some time to talk things through—or maybe even reverse course.