Georgia coach Kirby Smart, left and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey. Photo Credit: SEC Network.
Paul Finebaum didn’t like what he heard from Kirby Smart after Georgia’s win over Texas in Saturday’s SEC Championship Game.
While their spot in the College Football Playoff was generally seen as safe regardless of Saturday’s result, the Bulldogs not only officially punched their ticket with the win over the Longhorns, but also secured the No. 2 ranking and with that, a bye week in the CFP. Naturally, that had Georgia’s team in a celebratory mood moments after the game. And while Smart was thrilled, he also couldn’t resist the chance to take a shot at SEC commissioner Greg Sankey. When Laura Rutledge asked Smart what earning the bye meant for the Bulldogs, Smart replied, “It means rest for a team that Greg Sankey and his staff sent on the road all year long.”
Sankey — who was standing no more than a few feet away from Smart — was not amused. As it turns out, Finebaum wasn’t either.
“I think everybody knows my affinity for Kirby Smart, but I, frankly, thought he was out of line for blasting the commissioner standing right next to him, presenting the trophy,” Finebaum said, H/T Owen Hillman, Yahoo Sports. “What was the point of taking a cheap shot at the commissioner of the SEC who did not do that schedule?
“For Kirby Smart who rarely makes an error, I thought it was really below the belt,” Finebaum added. “Can you not say that without calling out the guy next to you who’s handing out the championship trophy?”
It’s easy to see why Smart was frustrated. Georgia’s four toughest conference games in 2024 were against Alabama, Texas, Ole Miss, and Tennessee. All but Tennessee were road games. Of course, all of those teams are on Georgia’s schedule in 2025 and, excluding Tennessee, all will be home games for the Bulldogs.
People were interested in these podcasts
60min
The Play-By-Play
Breakfast Ball’s debut, Kirk Herbstreit goes heel and Coach Prime bans a columnist
On the latest episode of The Play-By-Play, Awful Announcing’s Brendon Kleen and Ben Axelrod discuss the debut of Fox Sports 1’s “Breakfast Ball,” the season premiere of “College GameDay” with Nick Saban’s debut, Kirk Herbstreit going heel and Pat McAfee getting drunk, and Deion Sanders and Colorado banning The Denver Post’s Sean Keeler from press conferences.Time Stamps:-:07: Welcome to The Play-By-Play!-1:53:
The debut of FS1’s “Breakfast Ball”-12:18: What happened with Michelle Beadle and FS1?-13:03: The rest of FS1’s new lineup.-21:01 Nick Saban’s debut on “College GameDay”-29:37: Kirk Herbstreit goes heel-34:47: Do we care Pat McAfee got drunk on air?-39:10: Colorado and Deion Sanders ban a columnist from press conferences.-49:14: Bill Simmons in a contract year-54:38: Who could be the next Tony Kornheiser in a broadcast booth?You can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
ESPN fires RG3 and Sam Ponder, Ariel Helwani partners with Yahoo, Mina Kimes vs. Clay Travis
On the first episode of The Play-By-Play, Awful Announcing’s Brendon Kleen and Ben Axelrod discuss ESPN firing Robert Griffin III and Sam Ponder, Ariel Helwani announcing that he’s partnering with Yahoo Sports and the social media feud between ESPN’s Mina Kimes and Clay Travis.Time Stamps:-:06: Welcome to The Play-By-Play!-3:03: Podcasting-18:49: Ariel Helwani partners with Yahoo Sports-33:51: Mina Kimes vs. Clay Travis-47:00: WWE superstar Sheamus is College GameDay’s first celebrity guest picker of the season.-50:49: Stephen A. Smith interviews Tom Brady at Fanatics FestYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
Shannon Sharpe sex on IG Live, The Athletic pivoting, Jason Kelce all over ‘MNF’
Shannon Sharpe accidentally posting himself having sex on Instagram Live. Is a Pistons beat writer moving to cover the Knicks a sign of change for The Athletic? Was sports media being condescending toward Tua Tagovailoa? Awful Announcing’s Brendon Kleen and Ben Axelrod discuss all that and more, including ESPN getting their money’s worth for Jason Kelce this Monday night on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.
Time Stamps:-1:16: Shannon Sharpe having sex on Instagram Live-13:00: The Athletic pivoting away from local coverage?-27:31: Congress proposing sports gambling legislation-41:21: Pro athletes getting endorsement deals within sports betting companies-47:46: Jason Kelce was all over ESPN Monday night-51:25: Sports media conversation about Tua Tagovailoa’s concussionYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Play-By-Play
Cris Collinsworth’s extension, Aaron Hernandez show, Caitlin Clark’s rookie year
What does Cris Collinsworth’s new contract mean for the future of NFL broadcasting? Why is there a scripted TV show about Aaron Hernandez? And what are our sports media takeaways from Caitlin Clark’s rookie season? Awful Announcing’s Brendon Kleen and Ben Axelrod discuss these topics and more as Lyndsey D’Arcangelo stops by on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.
Time Stamps:-1:09: Cris Collinsworth re-signing with NBC-10:14: Domino effect of Collinsworth’s renewal-18:15: Domonique Foxworth on “American Sports Story”-33:09: Welcome Lyndsey D’Arcangelo to The Play-By-Play-56:38: “Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz” 20th anniversary oral historyYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Beyond that, Finebaum has a point. While the SEC obviously sets the conference schedule, it’s not the commissioner who makes it. Overlooking that, it would make sense for a coach to complain about tough road games if his team was hoping for an at-large bid. For a team that was locked into a playoff spot and all but assured of the No. 2 overall seed, it felt like sour grapes at a time of celebration — even if it was wildly entertaining.
Leave a Reply