The Power of our Dollars: Why the SEC Boycott Conversation Matters

Guest Opinion by Rep. Juandalynn Givan, Democrat candidate in Alabama House District 60

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is not simply a sports conference. It is a billion-dollar economic machine built in large part on the talent, labor, culture, viewership, and athletic excellence of Black athletes and marginalized communities.

According to SEC reports for the 2024–2025 fiscal year, the conference distributed more than $1.03 BILLION dollars to its member institutions through television contracts, championships, postseason football, sponsorships, merchandising, media rights, and tournament revenues.

That is not symbolic money.

That is real economic power.

And when communities that generate this level of economic impact feel ignored, silenced, underrepresented, or politically targeted, they have every right to reassess where their dollars, talent, support, and loyalty are invested.

History has already shown us the power of economic resistance.

The Montgomery Bus Boycott changed America because ordinary people decided they would no longer financially support systems that disrespected them.

The Selma Movement and the crossing of the Edmund Pettus Bridge were about more than marching — they were about demanding dignity, representation, and equal protection under the law.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were achieved through sacrifice, organizing, protest, and collective action.

This moment requires that same spirit of awareness and accountability.

This is not an attack on student-athletes.

This is not an attack on sports.

This is about institutions understanding that silence in moments of injustice is noticed.

If Black athletes can help generate billions…

then Black communities deserve fairness.

Black voices deserve representation.

Black votes deserve protection.

And Black dollars deserve respect.

SEC REVENUE DISTRIBUTION (2024–2025)

Full-Share SEC Member Schools

(Approximate payout: $72.4 million each)

1. University of Alabama — Approx. $72.4 million

2. Auburn University — Approx. $72.4 million

3. University of Arkansas — Approx. $72.4 million

4. University of Florida — Approx. $72.4 million

5. University of Georgia — Approx. $72.4 million

6. University of Kentucky — Approx. $72.4 million

7. Louisiana State University — Approx. $72.4 million

8. University of Mississippi — Approx. $72.4 million

9. Mississippi State University — Approx. $72.4 million

10. University of Missouri — Approx. $72.4 million

11. University of South Carolina — Approx. $72.4 million

12. University of Tennessee — Approx. $72.4 million

13. Texas A&M University — Approx. $72.4 million

14. Vanderbilt University — Approx. $72.4 million

Transitional SEC Member Payouts

15. University of Texas — Approx. $12.1 million

16. University of Oklahoma — Approx. $2.6 million

The SEC reported total conference distributions exceeding $1.03 billion dollars for fiscal year 2024–2025.

The people must understand this:

Economic power matters.

Collective action matters.

Representation matters.

And when the people stand together, history has shown that change is always possible.

Stand up.

Fight back.

We got the power.

Juandalynn Givan

Juandalynn Givan is a Democratic member of the Alabama House of Representatives, serving District 60 in Jefferson County since 2010. A Birmingham native, attorney, and business owner, she earned degrees from Miles College and Miles Law School before working in city government and founding her firm, Givan & Associates. In the legislature, she has focused on issues such as public health, criminal justice reform, and local governance, while building a reputation as a direct and vocal advocate for underserved communities.

For more information, follow Givan’s campaign on Facebook.

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