the SEC holds a lot of cards, however, whether it is the most or as strong as before, largely depends on what happens going forward. To move CFP now required unanimity, however, going forward it still requires a majority vote. If the SEC and any combination of P5 conferences cannot convince enough of the remainder to go along the only option will be a split off and that, in all probability, blows up the golden goose known as March Madness. The dynamics have changed but, at the end of the day it is still about money and slicing the revenue pie. Yes, the SEC could try and go it alone or solicit a few more to join but, there are a host of other unknowns and potential complications with that alternative. You're right that it is a mess due in no small part to greed but, Greg Sankey prematurely overplayed his hand, with a little help from Texas A&M and to quote Denzel Washington from the Equalizer, "sometimes when you pray for rain you have to be prepared to deal with the mud." Sankey's challenge now is to not let that mud become quicksand.
[Post edited by 2hhoop3 at 02/23/2022 6:21PM]