Carter's Corner: Gators And More at SEC Spring Meetings

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — You probably noticed the annual Southeastern Conference Spring Meetings are underway if you have been on social media or turned on the SEC Network.

Every time I glanced at the TV on my office wall Monday afternoon, Paul Finebaum had another familiar guest discussing all-too-familiar topics on his ocean-side set. The constant barrage of posts and soundbites about NIL costs and expanded playoffs and revenue sharing and salary caps can make you feel like you've been stuck in an echo chamber for the last five years.

"I thought we were gonna solve all the problems on the first day here...I'm the last guest on your show today, and we haven't solved a thing!

-Alex Golesh on SEC Spring Meetings in Destin pic.twitter.com/YwEIJ5vvJC
— Paul Finebaum (@finebaum) May 26, 2026

Before we get to some of the headlines that might be of interest to Gators fans, a couple of random things that popped into my head.

First, I noticed more and more reporters on site are using "MIRAMAR BEACH" as the dateline, the journalism term for "where" a story is reported. For most of the past 40 years, "DESTIN" was used, but according to a highly reliable source in Des … um, Miramar Beach, that was never actually correct.

The Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, where the meetings have been held annually since 1985 (other than COVID-impacted 2020 and 2021), is technically located in Miramar Beach, about three miles east of Destin. So, if you are an information nerd like myself and notice such things, now you know.

And while researching this pressing topic this morning, I came up with a trivia question.

Where were the last SEC Spring Meetings held before they moved to MIRAMAR BEACH?

Answer: TARPON SPRINGS.

Just to be safe, let's double-check that. The 1984 meetings were held at Innisbrook Resort in the Tampa Bay area. Reporters back then used "TARPON SPRINGS." But if you look up Innisbrook Resort's address online, it says it's located in nearby "PALM HARBOR."

Can't anybody read a map? I'm with my source on this topic: "I'm a stickler for correct datelines."

One final trip into the past before we return to the present: What were they talking about in 1985 when SEC administrators, coaches and media converged in Miramar Beach?

Gators newspaper column (May 31, 1985/Tampa Tribune)

That move severely irked Florida fans 41 years ago. And while datelines change, the sentiment of Gators fans has not.

And now, here are some stories of interest from the SEC spring meetings:

--How Florida's big three ended back up with the Gators for one more title run writes Edgar Thompson of the Orlando Sentinel.

--Gators head coach Jon Sumrall said he lived through a s***show as he juggled two jobs writes Blake Toppmeyer of USA Today.

--Sumrall said he would have turned down Florida if not allowed to coach Tulane in CFB Playoff writes Scott Rabalais of Nola.com.

--Greg Sankey prefers a 16-team playoff, but a majority of SEC athletic directors want more writes Brett McMurphy of On3.com.

--The SEC announces end to 'cupcake weekend' writes Alex Byington of On3.com.

--SEC Spring Meetings turn into blunt reality check for broken college athletics writes Trey Wallace of FoxNews.com.

--LSU coach Lane Kiffin met with reporters Tuesday and says not choosing Florida was more about LSU than Florida writes Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun.

--Georgia coach Kirby Smart says he would support an SEC breakaway to play by own rules writes Seth Emerson of The Athletic.

TOPIC(S) OF HOUR

NIL and CFB Playoff expansion dominating talks at SEC spring meetings for commissioner Greg Sankey. pic.twitter.com/ENWI0zfaA1
— Rick Nyman (@RickNymanSport) May 26, 2026

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