Former SEC Commissioner Slive dies

Former SEC Commissioner Mike Slive has passed away aged 77 after losing his battle with cancer.

He lived from 1940 to 2018, and is survived by Liz, his wife of 49 years.

Slive was the commissioner of the SEC from 2002 to 2015, where under his guise the conference won numerous national championships across a number of sports – most famously including football. In all, the SEC won 81 national championships in 17 of its 21 sponsored sports during Slive’s tenure, the press release announcing his passing away said.

With Slive as commissioner, the SEC expanded from 12 to 14, adding Missouri and Texas A&M.

Under Slive’s tenure, the SEC also formed a powerful TV partnership with ESPN, which generated untold millions for the conference, helping to accelerate the development of university facilities for all 14 universities.

During his time in Birmingham, Slive was also the driving force behind a four-team college football play-off, which ended up paying off. A SEC team has been an ever-present since the play-off started.

Slive also started Conference USA and NCAA Division II conference the Great Midwest Conference.