Greg Sankey faces criticism following the cancellation of the SEC softball championship game.
The 2025 SEC Softball Championship was supposed to crown a champion and deliver a climactic end to one of the most competitive tournaments in recent memory. Instead, it concluded with silence, soaked in disappointment and confusion. The Southeastern Conference’s decision to cancel the championship game between Tennessee and Florida due to weather—and not reschedule it—has sparked a backlash aimed squarely at SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.
While Sankey has long been praised for his leadership in elevating SEC athletics into a national powerhouse, this latest decision has many athletes, coaches, fans, and analysts questioning his judgment and the league’s priorities. Critics argue that by choosing not to find an alternative date or venue, the SEC not only robbed its athletes of a deserved championship moment but also sent a troubling message about its commitment to women’s sports.
The SEC Tournament final between top-seeded Tennessee and second-seeded Florida was set to be a marquee matchup. Both teams had battled through the gauntlet of the bracket and were primed to clash in a nationally televised game. But persistent storms in Gainesville made conditions unplayable. After a series of delays and discussions, the SEC announced the outright cancellation of the final game on Sunday, May 12.
Rather than rescheduling or exploring contingency plans, the conference declared co-champions, with both Florida and Tennessee receiving equal recognition. For the first time since the tournament’s inception in 1997, no champion was decided on the field.
For many, the decision was seen as a logistical failure and a slight to the athletes who worked tirelessly for a shot at SEC glory.
As the highest-ranking official in the SEC, Greg Sankey quickly became the focal point of criticism. While it’s not uncommon for weather to disrupt outdoor events, detractors argue that contingency planning—especially for a marquee championship—should be a baseline expectation.
Sankey, in a brief post-announcement interview, acknowledged the disappointment.
“This is not the outcome anyone wanted. We explored options, but ultimately had to make a decision in the best interest of our student-athletes’ safety and the tournament structure.”
But those words did little to calm the frustration.
Softball analyst Kayla Braud, a former Alabama All-American, didn’t mince words on social media:
“There were ways to make this work. You don’t cancel a championship without exhausting every possible option. That didn’t happen here.”
Former Tennessee head coach Ralph Weekly tweeted, “SEC softball deserved better. These players train all year for this moment. Canceled? Come on.”
The backlash wasn’t limited to media personalities and former coaches. Current players voiced their disappointment with pointed honesty.
Florida ace Skylar Wallace wrote in an Instagram story:
“We wanted to win it on the field. That’s what it’s supposed to be about.”
Tennessee outfielder Kiki Milloy shared a similar sentiment on X (formerly Twitter):
“We fought all year to prove we were the best. Let us prove it on the field. This isn’t how a championship should end.”
For many players, especially seniors, the game represented not just a title opportunity, but a legacy moment. Having that chance washed away left a deep sting.
One of the most stinging lines of criticism emerged from fans and analysts who drew a contrast between how the SEC treats men’s revenue sports like football and the treatment of women’s sports like softball.
“If this were the SEC Football Championship Game and weather forced a delay, do you think they’d cancel it and name co-champions?” asked ESPN’s Elle Duncan during a Monday segment. “Absolutely not. They’d find a way. They’d move it, they’d delay it a week, they’d play it at midnight if they had to. That tells you everything.”
This perception—that women’s sports were deprioritized—has stirred broader conversations about gender equity in collegiate athletics. Title IX doesn’t govern scheduling decisions per se, but the optics of canceling one of the conference’s premier women’s events without an alternative plan left many wondering whether the SEC views its women’s tournaments with the same importance.
Defenders of the SEC have pointed to complex logistics as justification for the decision. The NCAA Softball Selection Show was scheduled for Sunday evening. Teams needed to travel and rest ahead of regional announcements and pairings. Hotel bookings, flights, academic obligations, and student-athlete well-being were cited as constraints.
But critics say those reasons fall short when weighed against the significance of a conference title.
“If it’s that hard to reschedule, then that’s a problem with your planning,” said former LSU coach Beth Torina. “This isn’t a first-time event. You know weather is a factor in May in the South. Where was the Plan B?”
Notably, other conferences have made alternate arrangements in similar situations. The Big Ten once moved its softball title game indoors to a neutral venue. The Pac-12 has extended tournaments into Monday in past years when weather required it. The SEC’s decision not to explore similar alternatives raised eyebrows.
The NCAA Selection Committee did not penalize either team for the cancellation, with both Tennessee and Florida earning top-eight national seeds and the right to host regionals. But for the athletes, the damage is already done.
Tennessee head coach Karen Weekly said in a post-announcement presser:
“We’re grateful for the opportunity to compete in the NCAA Tournament, but there’s no replacing what was taken from these players. Championships are earned on the field.”
Florida head coach Tim Walton, while measured, also expressed disappointment:
“Both teams deserved better. This was a battle we were excited for. These players earned that right.”
Parents of players also spoke up on social media, echoing the same sentiment—pride in their daughters, but frustration with the conference.
Greg Sankey has built a reputation as a progressive commissioner willing to adapt and innovate, particularly in football and basketball. But the events of this past weekend highlight a critical blind spot in the SEC’s leadership apparatus. If Sankey hopes to repair trust with athletes, coaches, and fans, concrete steps must follow.
Some possible actions could include:
- An independent review of the cancellation decision and communication process
- A formal apology or acknowledgment to the teams involved
- A commitment to enhanced contingency planning for all women’s championship events
- Exploring alternate championship formats that build in flexibility for weather or other disruptions
Perhaps most importantly, Sankey and the SEC need to reassure their softball athletes—and women athletes broadly—that their championships matter just as much as any other sport’s.
Softball has surged in popularity over the past decade. SEC softball, in particular, draws significant television ratings, passionate fan bases, and elite talent. The canceled title game would have been a ratings magnet and a showcase for the league’s athletic excellence.
Instead, the season’s crescendo ended with disappointment and finger-pointing.
“This was a chance to show the world how much the SEC values softball,” said former ESPN analyst Holly Rowe. “Instead, they showed that when things get tough, it’s easier to walk away than work the problem.”
The SEC prides itself on being the “It Just Means More” conference. That slogan, lauded for its passion and cultural significance, now rings a bit hollow in the softball world.
The controversy surrounding the cancellation of the SEC Softball Championship game is not simply a logistical hiccup—it’s a leadership test. And it has become a defining moment in Greg Sankey’s tenure as commissioner.
By not having an alternate plan, the SEC failed its athletes. By not adjusting to unforeseen weather, it left fans and coaches frustrated. And by canceling one of the most anticipated games of the year without exhausting all options, it diminished the spirit of competition that defines the SEC.
Tennessee and Florida deserved better. SEC softball deserved better. And as pressure mounts, Greg Sankey must decide whether he’ll double down—or do better next time.
For now, the 2025 SEC Softball Championship remains a story not of triumph, but of what might have been.
