Mike Slive Steps Down Early as Commissioner At Meetings

SEC Commissioner Mike Slive surprised everyone Friday by announcing he is stepping down as commissioner as of June 1st.

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Slive was not expected to step down until after SEC media days in July, but he felt like it was just time.

“It’s the appropriate time,” Slive said. “It will be really clear the league will speak with one voice of the future, and that’s Greg” (Sankey the new SEC commissioner.

“It’s something that I initiated and something I feel is really good for the league,” he said.

Slive was commissioner for 13 years and during that time, he bought tremendous growth to the SEC.

Under Slive, the SEC grew from 12-14 teams, won seven straight BCS National Championships in football, he was also instrumental in helping start the BCS.

He also help create the SEC Network which has been a huge money-maker for ESPN. The SEC just split a $445 million check among its member institutions.

Most importantly, Slive is considered one of the nicest guys in the business. There hasn’t been many complaints, if any concerning how Slive ran the conference.

Slive took over for Roy Kramer and some how during his time as the head of this conference, has managed to keep it together.

While in the past, the SEC was in constant trouble with the NCAA, under Slive, for the most part, he has managed to keep his teams out of trouble.

Slive was less of a doorkeeper or a manager, he was and still is a leader, but he didn’t see himself that way.

“I’ve always felt I was just a trustee of a sacred public trust,”

“That’s how I feel about the league. I know it’s corny and everyone says it, but we’re no worse for wear for my having been here.”

And it has paid off for not only him, but the SEC. Slive will remain as a consultant to Sankey for the next few years, so you can say he will be semi-retired.

But in the mean time, he plans to enjoy his new found peace and quiet.

“I might play with my granddaughter and have a cigar and a shot of bourbon and think, ‘This isn’t at all bad.”

No it isn’t.

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