SEC Approves Major Rule For 2024 College Football Season

The Southeastern Conference has instituted a rule that will require mandatory availability/injury reports for each conference matchup during the 2024 college football season.

The rule also extends to football, men's and women's basketball and baseball.

The availability policy is intended to "reduce pressure from outside entities" inquiring about player health and availabilities ahead of matchups, according to SEC Greg Sankey in an official SEC release .

Players will be designated as “available,” “probable,” “questionable,” “doubtful,” or “out” for the upcoming game, at least prior to gameday. When gameday comes, athletes will be labeled as “available,” “game time decision,” or “out."

There's a lofty penalty that comes along with failing to report in an "accurate and timely" manner. According to rules outlined in the release, football programs will be charged $25,000 for a first offense, and that number skyrockets to $100,000 for a third or further offense.

Basketball and baseball programs, however, will be charged a maximum of $15,000 to $25,000 for offenses.

The Big Ten Conference was the first collegiate entity to set a rule requiring availability reports this spring. The model has been used by the NFL since 1947. With the SEC and Big Ten in the fold, it's only a matter of time before the ACC and Big 12 follow suit.

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