Feb. 12, 2026, 1:30 p.m. ET
Former New York Giants offensive lineman Roman Oben may have stopped playing football professionally in 2007, but he never truly left the game. He worked in broadcast media as a football analyst and held executive positions in sales and business development before joining the NFL league office in 2015.
Oben served in various capacities within the league office for 10 years. Now, he is joining the NCAA’s Southeastern Conference (SEC) as its Associate Commissioner for Football.
“Roman Oben brings a rare combination of elite football experience and high-level sports-business leadership, with more than 15 years serving in senior executive and board roles across professional football, collegiate athletics, and global sport development,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.
“Roman is well-positioned to grow SEC football through campus engagement and innovative operational strategies, and he will play a central role in advancing the SEC’s national influence and long-term success in college football.”
In his new role, Oben will be the primary contact for head football coaches, administrators, and national governing bodies, and he will report directly to the Commissioner.
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“Joining the SEC is an incredible honor,” Roman said. “The tradition, competition and passion of SEC football are unmatched, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve its coaches, administrators, and student-athletes. I look forward to working with Commissioner Sankey, Charlie Hussey and the outstanding leadership within this conference to strengthen alignment, support institutional priorities, and advance the game with integrity, clarity and purpose.”
Oben will maintain regular engagement with SEC institutions and will represent the SEC in national working groups and policy discussions, supporting initiatives that prioritize student-athlete welfare and the sustainability of the sport.
As Vice President of Football Development in the NFL, Oben has helped the NFL’s college outreach efforts, served as a primary liaison to organizations like the AFCA and National Football Foundation, and played a key role in the NCAA and NFL’s collaboration on eligibility and underclassmen policies, among other things.
As a member of the Giants organization for four years, Oben started 48 out of 50 games played. Over his career, he played in 143 games and started 130. He was also an NFLPA team representative for three teams over seven years and was integral in ensuring that retired players have access to continued education, and helped ensure medical benefits for all NFL players.
