Mike Slive to step down as SEC commissioner effective June 1

SEC commissioner Mike Slive will conclude his role as conference commissioner effective June 1, with incoming commissioner Greg Sankey taking over at that time. Slive made the announcement Friday on the final day of the SEC's annual spring meetings.

"This seemed to be the right time and the right place to make this transition," Slive said. "The league will speak with one voice and the voice of the future and that's Greg ...

"This has been the best 13 years of my life."

Slive's contract runs through the end of July, but he said he believes this was the right time to make the move. He will begin his role as a consultant to the SEC on Aug. 1.

His announcement comes the same day as the league said it would distribute a record $31.2-million payout to each of its member schools after setting a new high-water mark with $455.8 million in earnings for the fiscal year set to end Aug. 1.

"My legacy is for someone else to decide," Slive said. "I think we've done some good things."