I am just curious to hear from all of the experts here...
Why does anyone think the SEC needs to expand?
I have only one reason and that is to protect their flank from the Big 10 in Virginia and North Carolina. That is really it. Outside of geography, why? They have huge $$ and I don't understand why they want to share it with more mouths that want feeding.
As for the Big 10, I think the move to expand west was to placate a request from Fox to create a "national" product. So, why do they need to expand any farther? Why do they need to feed more schools as well?
I do know this, the 14-team CFP model with 3 automatics from the SEC and Big 10 with byes for the top 2 from each league made me very uncomfortable. Now things are looking to become anticompetitive. Nobody wants that...except for them.
Sometimes, we fail to realize that the NFL is the behemoth that it is because they force competitive balance and parity. Bad teams get higher draft picks and easier schedules. In the end, the Chiefs snap out of a 40-year drought to become a dynastic team and the Patriots from dynasty to dumpster fire. The fans love the fact that any team can emerge from the heap to become a player from season to season.
Maybe college football can awaken to this scenario in some way. Frankly, I am tired of Alabama and Georgia and OSU and Michigan et al.
11 Replies
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VTejrep
2y
to keep up with the every growing BIG, takes 6: UVa, VT, UNC, NC St, Clemson and FSU. They lock down the south and keep all of the major flagship universities in the SEC. If the BIG wants in the south, they'd have to look at private schools like GT, Duke, Wake and Miami.
(In response to this post by CobbCountyHokie)
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VTCALS72
2y
We were playing in a conference that was not the conference or our state or area. IMHO, MD is facing some of that same thing being in a conference, even the Big, that is not seen as "our" conference in DMV or MD in general. I think that if FSU goes Big they will see some damage to playing in a mid west conference with a southern fanbase.
I wonder what the real feelings are by WVU to the B12. The Big 12 threw them a lifeline when there was absolutely nothing else but it is my guess that WVU would still rather be in an eastern based conference than the B12 just adding a couple more Ohio/Mississippi/New River teams.
(In response to this post by VTejrep)
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VTejrep
2y
college football. The SEC has been illustrating this on a weekly basis for the past 50 years. This is what draws eyeballs on a consistent basis. Sure, the occasional Ohio State/USC matchup will be a big one but it's local rivalries that brings in fans to the stadium and on television. It's infectious. The SEC has always "gotten it", which is why I believe they'll go big by bringing in all 6 southern, flagship universities. This locks down the south and grows their league into 2 of the top 10 market states in America.
(In response to this post by VTCALS72)
2y
(In response to this post by CobbCountyHokie)
2y
Just look at some of the more recent actions and comments from the SEC.
Partnering with the BIG to explore options
Talking about a separate playoff with just SEC and BIG
Leaving the door open for more expansion
They used to be fine with what they had and never played nice with anyone. But they are clearly adjusting based on the BIG. The SEC was winning far more championships than the BIG but they were also already second in the money race. And the latest expansions give the BIG far more advertising opportunities and scheduling options. The BIG is starting to pull away even from the SEC.
I think the BIG already has plans for 20-24 teams (including Notre Dame). So if the SEC wants to make it a true P2, they will need to keep up. And once the B12/ACC go through the final big raid, the media money can be more fully shifted to the P2 to pay for all the new teams.
Right now is just a breather until the next big move.
(In response to this post by CobbCountyHokie)
2y
You're either growing or you are falling behind. There is no standing still. The SEC needs to continue to grow in order to keep up with the B1G
(In response to this post by CobbCountyHokie)
2y
Itself at a disadvantage regarding per school payouts compared to the Big 10. And the idea that you're either growing or falling behind only works if that growth makes sense financially. If that growth dilutes the per school payout, then the growth could actually make you fall behind.
** Edited by wwhokie1 at 3/7/2024, 12:28:22 PM
(In response to this post by tarheelblue)
2y
him to expand.
Look at The B1G advertising footprint. Now imagine how it would look if they add NC and/or VA. Then add FSU and perhaps Miami... Notre Dame? Advertisers would have most of what they want without talking to ESPN. They would still covet the states of Texas and Georgia, maybe Tennessee. But selling ads for the entire SEC package will attract meager bids compared to The B1G package.
Brands like Alabama, Oklahoma, and LSU will do well in the streaming future, but The B1G overall will crush them in linear TV as revenue.
(In response to this post by CobbCountyHokie)
S
Stech
2y
like all companies/organizations. Virginia and North Carolina are large growing states. That and they will hear it if they don’t keep up with Fox/B1G. Peer pressure is often the strongest pressure.
(In response to this post by CobbCountyHokie)
2y
blowing in the direction where it appears it is only a matter of time before the P2s end up doing something on their own. Whether it is for individual sports or all sports may be up for debate. Once they decide to do their own thing, then how long can the conferences maintain the current mindset where they are competing against each other for TV revenue and all that other business related stuff?
I would think at some point someone would realize that the P2s have a better chance to make more money if they pool their resources together. If they opt to go that route and still allow each conference to have regional network agreements a la the conference network, then they might not need antitrust exemption from Congress. Assuming they opt to use either MLB, NBA, or NHL as a model for future network deals.
** Edited by VTHokie2000 at 3/6/2024, 7:15:03 PM
(In response to this post by CobbCountyHokie)