Slive says SEC stronger than ever

HOOVER | Southeastern Conference Commissioner Mike Slive kicked off day one of the Southeastern Conference Media Days with a state of the conference address.

Slive praised the conference's achievements over the past two years with Florida and LSU winning consecutive BCS national championships -- the first conference to claim back-to-back titles.

When he first took the position five years ago Slive said his main goal was to get every program off probation. He said the conference came close with only the Arkansas track program still on probation.

He also said the conference is still exploring an SEC channel with the television contracts expiring after this year.

"We will make a decision in the fall," Slive said. "That gives us a year to make any changes.

"We make the best decision that allows us the ability to improve national distribution. and improve the brand."