Sun Belt Conference Commissioner Keith Gill addressing the media at the Sun Belt Football Media Days Wednesday, July 15, 2026 in New Orleans, La. (Hunter Dawkins/The Gazebo Gazette via Associated Press)

by Hunter Dawkins, Owner/Publisher – editor@thegazebogazette.com or hdawkins@supertalk.fm

NEW ORLEANS (GG) — Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Sun Belt Conference at the Football Media Days in the New Orleans Warehouse District Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Commissioner Keith Gill remained positive about the upcoming season.  2025 was a huge success for the Sun Belt Conference, getting their first team (James Madison) in the College Football Playoff and the commissioner welcomed a new participant (Louisiana Tech).

“For many conferences, realignment has weakened programs,” said Sun Belt Commissioner Gill, who is serving in his 8th year with this title.  “The Sun Belt Conference addition of several teams in the last five years have deepened rivalries and increased fan engagement.”
Additionally, the Sun Belt Commissioner Gill expressed the conference’s continuous national rise and confirmed that media day coverage and games will continue to air broadly across ESPN+.  
“The Sun Belt is coming off our best 4 year stretch in the history of the conference,” stated Gill.  “Over the last 7 years, 6 of our teams have finished in the top 25 for their college football season.  I expect 2026 to continue that trend.”
Finally, Gill addressed the addition of Louisiana Tech on July 1, preserving the West-East division structure and the potential Protect College Sports Act.  The Senate bill (sponsored by Ted Cruz & Maria Cantwell( is designed to stabilize college athletics amid Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) chaos, transfer portal issues, and conference realignment.
“The bill must do everything to protect college football.  College athletics face significant uncertainty, too often the outcome is unsatisfying.”
 
Gill’s presentation initiated a two-day event featuring press conferences from all 14 conference football programs, starting with the East Division teams Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
(Photos from Hunter Dawkins/The Gazebo Gazette via Associated Press)