SEC threatens to move championship games out of state if Mississippi won’t change flag

Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey issued a warning to the state of Mississippi on Thursday that if the state doesn’t change its flag, there could be consequences.

“It is past time for change to be made to the flag of the State of Mississippi,” Sankey said in a statement. “Our students deserve an opportunity to learn and compete in environments that are inclusive and welcoming to all.

“In the event that there is no change, there will be consideration of precluding Southeastern Conference championship events from being conducted in the State of Mississippi until the state flag is changed.”

Controversy has grown in recent weeks over the southern state’s emblem, outlets report, as its design draws inspiration from the Confederate battle flag.

Opposition to the flag is nothing new, but efforts to alter the symbolism have been renewed amid nationwide protests against racism and police brutality, which have targeted Confederate monuments and flags.

A bipartisan group of legislators is already working to change Mississippi’s stripes through legislation, CBS reported, but attempts in years past have failed.

The issue was seriously addressed in 2001, according to CBS. Mississippians voted 2-to-1 in favor of no change on a ballot measure.

Ole Miss and Mississippi State University are both in the SEC. The latter school’s president, Mark Keenum, released a statement of his own in response to Sankey’s, Mississippi Today reported.

“Since 2015, our Student Association, Robert Holland Faculty Senate and university administration have been firmly on record in support of changing the state flag,” Keenum said, according to the outlet. “I have reiterated that view to our state’s leaders on multiple occasions, including during face-to-face discussions in recent days and hours. On June 12, I wrote to the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the Mississippi House reaffirming that support. The letter said, in part, that our flag should be unifying, not a symbol that divides us. I emphasized that it is time for a renewed, respectful debate on this issue.”

Some municipalities aren’t waiting for a statewide decision to be made before taking action. The Bay St. Louis City Council voted 5-2 this week to remove the Mississippi flag from City Hall and all city properties, and to prod the legislature into updating the design, Sea Coast Echo reported.

Two council members, Josh DeSalvo and Larry Smith, voted against the measure.

In explaining his vote, DeSalvo echoed what many proponents of the flag have said.

“It may not be the greatest, it may not be what we want, but … it’s still our state flag. If people want to revamp it,” then it should be up to the state as a whole.

“I agree with Councilman DeSalvo,” Smith told the outlet. “Our state flag has been voted on and more than 64 percent wanted to keep it.”

This story was originally published June 18, 2020 at 6:34 PM with the headline "SEC threatens to move championship games out of state if Mississippi won’t change flag."