BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Southeastern Conference will release player availability reports in football, baseball and basketball before league games this season as part of safeguarding efforts in college athletics amid the growth of legalized gambling, the conference announced Thursday.
The SEC joined the Big Ten Conference and Mid-American Conference by adopting the new policy.
“This availability reporting policy is intended to reduce pressure from outside entities seeking participation information and represents a commitment of our 16 institutions to provide enhanced transparency to support efforts to protect our student-athletes and the integrity of competition,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said in a release.
The policy approved by league members requires schools to submit availability reports three days prior to each SEC football game, starting Wednesday and including daily updates leading up to the final report 90 minutes before kickoff.
Reports are to be filed the night before each SEC basketball (men’s and women’s) and baseball contest with a game-day update.