Commissioner Sankey Makes His First Hire

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New SEC commissioner Greg Sankey announced the first addition to his staff on Tuesday afternoon.

William King joins the league as its Associate Commissioner for Legal Affairs and Compliance. The Luverne, Alabama native will lead the SEC's governance and compliance staff, serve as an advisor for the league's 14 institutions on NCAA regulatory matters and act as the the conference's first-ever internal legal counsel, among other things.

"[King] has established himself as a national leader on NCAA enforcement and compliance matters, and has unique experience in working with universities, coaches and student-athletes on infractions and eligibility cases," said Sankey in a news release. "William also has enjoyed a distinguished legal career, which will serve the SEC well as we look to our future."

King, 51, has practiced law with Lightfoot, Franklin & White in Birmingham since the firm was formed in 1990. The SEC, Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, and Conference USA are among the leagues he has represented in cases related to NCAA compliance and legal issues.

King received his bachelor's degree from Washington and Lee in 1986 and earned his law degree in 1989 from Vanderbilt.

"William is an outstanding addition to the SEC in a critical area for our conference office," said Vanderbilt Chancellor Nick Zeppos, who is the president of the SEC Presidents and Chancellors. "William's level of expertise and experience in NCAA matters as well as his uncompromising integrity make him the ideal person to serve our membership in this capacity."

Prior to joining the Lightfoot firm, King was a judicial clerk for the Honorable Robert S. Vance on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

"I am very excited and honored to be joining the SEC," King said. "Greg and I have worked closely together in the past, and I look forward to being a part of his team and working to fulfill his vision for the Conference and its members."

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