SEC headed to a big payday in 2010
Destin—Some final thoughts on the annual SEC Spring Meetings, which officially end this afternoon:
Like it not, the SEC is headed into a new, and better, era: Competitively it was another great year for the SEC with national championships in football (Florida), women’s track and field (Tennessee), women’s gymnastics (Georgia) and men’s swimming and diving (Auburn). The league may pick up a few more championships before the spring sports are done.
The SEC has won three straight national championships in football and four of the last six. Florida, the defending champ, will be a consensus No. 1 when the 2009 season begins and gives the league a real chance to make it four straight titles.
But last night when the SEC held its annual awards banquet, Commissioner Mike Slive said that the conference, which a year ago celebrated its 75th anniversary, is headed “into a new and exciting era.”
A big reason for that optimism about the future is the two new television contracts with CBS and ESPN which will begin this fall. Those two contracts alone will pump almost $3 billion (yes, that’s Billion with a B) into the conference over the next 15 years.
Let me put that number into perspective: Later on today the SEC will announce another record for shared revenue from televised football, basketball, and bowl games. A year ago that figure was $127.2 million, or about $10.6 million per school. There will be nice little bump in that today.
But year from today, after the new TV contracts kick in, each school could be receiving in the neighborhood of $17 million or more each.
So while schools in other conferences are going to quit printing media guides and are asking employees to take furloughs, the SEC is going to get an unprecedented infusion of cash.
“Naturally our members are excited about the kind of opportunity this presents,” Slive said. “But we also know that we have to be smart with the resources we have. Nobody is recession proof.”
If you’re a fan of the SEC all this means that the future looks good. If you’re a competitor of the SEC, you know this league is not going to be backing down.
Utah, Boise State to the Rose Bowl? It could happen soon: Over the course of the week I found out that there is an interesting little nugget in the new BCS contract with ESPN, which will begin after the 2010 regular season.
In past contracts if the Rose Bowl lost one of its traditional partners, the Big Ten or Pac-10 champ, to the BCS championship game, it could simply fill with another Big Ten or Pac-10 team that qualified. That’s how a 9-3 Illinois team got to Pasadena two years ago.
But in the new contract, I’m told, there is an interesting clause: The first time in the deal that the Rose loses one of its champions to the BCS title game, that opening will be automatically filled by a Coalition (non-BCS conference) team if one has qualified.
For example: Let’s say Southern Cal wins the Pac-10 and qualifies for the BCS championship game in 2010. And let’s say Utah or Boise State goes undefeated again the wins the Mountain West or WAC. That team, if it doesn’t get into the big game, would automatically go to the Rose, where no Coalition team has played before.
What’s the significance of this, you ask? It is another way that the BCS is increasing access of the five Coalition conferences to all of the games in system. Should the BCS get sued and hauled back before Congress, it is another way it can counter the claim that the Coalition schools don’t have enough access.
Mark your TV calendars: The complete football television picture in the SEC won’t be clear until the league’s preseason media days on July 22-24 in Hoover, Ala. ESPN officials told me they will make a complete presentation then that will make it clear where you can find your favorite games on Saturday.
But just to review: In the new TV deals, CBS will get the first pick from the inventory of games on a given Saturday. The big change is that the rest of the games will belong to ESPN, which is paying the SEC $2.25 billion over the next 15 years for that right. ESPN will place those games on their various platforms (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Classic, ESPN.360 on the internet). The games it cannot televise will go to other outlets such as CSS and FOX Sports South.
CBS has already locked in some dates and times. CBS will begin its ninth year with the SEC by televising Tennessee at Florida on Sept. 19 at 3:30 p.m. Given what has happened since Lane Kiffin got to Tennessee, there may be some interest in that game.
CBS has a pair of doubleheaders planned on Oct. 10 and Nov. 14. Nothing is set in stone but you can pretty much bet that the prime time (8 p.m. Eastern) game on Oct. 10 will be Florida at LSU. I’ll be surprised if the early game (3:30 p.m. Eastern) isn’t Alabama at Ole Miss.
As announced earlier, CBS has moved the Alabama-Auburn game to Friday, Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving. It did that in order to get wider exposure for the game and so that it could also broadcast Florida State at Florida on Nov. 28. If CBS had not made that move, one of those games would have gone to ESPN.
There are some special kids in this league: One of the things that never gets mentioned on the sports pages and sports blogs is that there some incredible kids playing college sports. When you become a mom or dad you start to notice these kinds of things. So bear with me a moment while I get off topic. After all, it is Friday and so I invoke by own rule to stray from the subject of football.
Last night the SEC honored 24 male and female athletes for academic excellence. Two received the Boyd McWhorter scholarships of $15,000 which will be applied to post-graduate study. The female winner was Tennessee swimmer Christine Magnuson, who won two silver medals in the 2008 Olympics while carrying a 3.68 grade point average.
The male winner was Ole Miss tennis star Bram ten Berge, who came to Oxford from his home in the Netherlands. “I knew I wasn’t going to be a pro but I had a chance to get an education by playing tennis,” he said. “We don’t have that in my home country.” Ten Berge graduated with a 3.97 GPA in the Classics and, based on his academic performance at Ole Miss, is headed to Michigan on a full fellowship that will allow him to get his Master’s and Doctorate degrees.
Christine Magnuson made an interesting point to commissioner Slive last night. There were a bunch of Olympians from the SEC in Beijing. Had the SEC been a country, she said, it would have finished fourth in the medal count with a total of 51 behind only the United States (110), China (100), and Russia (72).
Thanks for a great year. See you in July: The end of the SEC meetings also marks the end of the season for Mr. College Football. After visiting with you five days a week since mid-March, I’m going to take a break for a while and return on July 6. If something big happens in college football I’ll jump back in for a day and we’ll chat.
Before I go I really want to thank you ladies and gentlemen. Wherever I travel people say nice things about this blog and the interest in it. I simply tell them that I blog with the most knowledgeable college football fans in the world who are very passionate about their sport. You don’t always agree with me and you shouldn’t. You keep me on my toes. I like that and I appreciate that. It makes me better.
When I get back we will be only three weeks away from SEC Media Days in Birmingham. If you thought Lane Kiffin-Urban Meyer was fun down here, can you imagine what it will be like in front of 700 media people in July?
Be safe. And don’t forget the sunscreen.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
125 comments Add your comment
Bill
May 29th, 2009
9:39 am
Tony-
Thanks and have a good summer.
Roll Tide
Whattheheck
May 29th, 2009
9:45 am
isnt it great when universities have their priorities in order? i mean, dont bother with actually improving the education level of the second and third tier schools that make up the SEC (except for Vanderbilt). No, just make sure the athletic department makes a lot of money so that kids that dont know how to read can get a diploma from a university.
Great Job SEC.
Whattheheck
May 29th, 2009
9:47 am
and btw, if anyone of you are thinking that the money coming in through the athletic department is anything, take a look at what top tier schools bring in for research money. Tech’s college of engineering brings in more than that itself. of course, you have to have a decent school in order to do that.
Too bad. at least with the SEC, our illiterate will have something to put on their wall to show off. Of course, they wont know what it says, but it will have a pretty picture of an alligator.
Rational Citizen
May 29th, 2009
9:48 am
With the economy leveling off, but still in very serious trouble, it’s more imperative than ever that America begins debating the pros and cons of the legalization, regulation and taxation of marijuana. For those of you living in Gwinnett County, the recent debate over raising property taxes by 25% should be incentive enough for you to contact your local, state and federal politicians to demand that America begin to at least discuss the possibility of repealing our outdated prohibition against marijuana so we can begin creating jobs here in America and deliver much-needed tax revenues to state and local governments.
The 3 main reasons I support LRT: as a means of raising tax revenues which can be used to fund education and healthcare; as a means of reducing the caseload in our judicial system; and as a means of crippling Mexican drug cartels who are infiltrating our cities.
Marijuana is the largest cash crop in the United States, with an estimated market of between $60-100 billion (BILLION!). Our current policy of prohibition is essentially ceding this very lucrative market to organized crime. Through LRT we can create jobs here in America, which will in turn generate much needed tax revenues that can be used to fund education, healthcare or infrastructure projects.
Our local prosecutors are swamped with simple possession cases that are currently clogging our judicial system. For every individual arrested on a simple possession charge, we are paying for his arrest, adjudication, and, for some, incarceration. Through LRT we can allow our prosecutors to focus on more serious issues, like violent crime.
Marijuana currently accounts for 60% of all the revenues that Mexican drug cartels bring in each year. By legalizing marijuana we can deprive these cartels of a major and very reliable source of funding. The prohibition of marijuana has had the same perverse effects that the prohibition of alcohol did: we have simple emboldened and enriched organized crime. Almost no one doubts that the prohibition of alcohol was a disaster…why would we expect anything different with marijuana?
Prohibition has been tried and has failed miserably. It’s time America had a rational discussion about the benefits and drawbacks of legalization. By regulating marijuana the same way we regulate alcohol we can begin capitalizing on a market that is bigger than wheat and corn, combined.
LEGALIZATION. REGULATION. TAXATION.
Bamafan
May 29th, 2009
9:48 am
Tony,
We will here from you next week when the NCAA gives the crimson tide a slap on the wrist for the
stupid textbook investigation. Have a good summer and hope to hear you on Coach Matthews radio show in the future and don’t forget to eat at Stroud’s when you come to Music City!!
ROLL TIDES!!
Bamafan
May 29th, 2009
9:53 am
Rational Citizen move to Cali or Mexico if you want to smoke dope all day!!
Jack from Suwanee
May 29th, 2009
9:55 am
Enter your comments here
Nachos
May 29th, 2009
10:09 am
Only losers post such long comments. Go away stoner.
Seriously?
May 29th, 2009
10:12 am
Well he ends with a great SEC homer rant…You sure aren’t biased are you Tony? Now how are all the uga fans going to complain about “espin” when they will be talking up the ENTIRE SEC (instead of just tebow and USCw)? So let me get this straight…ESPN is going to televise SEC games….thus they will be a big proponent of these games to get more people to watch them….and then they will also have the BCS contracts as well??? Hmm, I wonder who they will want to get the most exposure in big time bowls?
Now yes, the SEC has some great teams and most of the time they have certainly deserved to go to the bowls that they went to….but….ESPN has too much influence on a sport that CHOOSES its Title game based on opinions, polls, and some computers. This is troubling for anyone not in the SEC.
DawgGirl32
May 29th, 2009
10:13 am
Great article, Tony. It sure is great to be an SEC fan, as evidenced by the jealous posters on this blog.
Jacket Attack
May 29th, 2009
10:13 am
Had the SEC been a country, she said, it would have finished fourth in the medal count with a total of 51 behind only the United States (110), China (100), and Russia (72).
Interesting. But she’d also have a higher crime rate than Bogota, Columbia.
UT96
May 29th, 2009
10:19 am
Rational Citizen, great post and agree with you 100%. No one can make the argument that smoking pot is any worse than drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes. And for the record, I don’t dring, smoke pot or smoke cigarettes. This is a common sense issue in my humble opinion. P.S.- they should also legalize prostitution
Cameron
May 29th, 2009
10:24 am
Seriously?
Why do you think ESPN wants the rights to the BCS and the SEC? Ratings. That is what TV is all about. Ratings bring in ad revenue, which brings in profits. It is as simple as supply and demand. Why do you think they talk about the Yankees-Red Sox, Cowboys, Duke-North Carolina, LeBron, Kobe, Brett Favre, Tom Brady, and Peyton Manning? That is what people want to hear about, that is what gets the ratings.
The SEC is by far the best conference and everyone knows it. Sure, there is good football in other places. Maybe even better sprinlked somewhere (USC). But, the SEC will bring them ratings, as will the BCS. The SEC earned it by raising the quality of football being played in the conference. If this concept troubles you, blame yourself and every other fan who creates the demand that ESPN capitalizes on.
Miles
May 29th, 2009
10:24 am
Mr. Barnhart, take your wife on a vacation. She’s earned it.
Cameron
May 29th, 2009
10:26 am
UT96
Way to flaunt your education buddy. I will give you a pass on marijiuana, even though I don’t think it should be legalized. But, prostitution? Seriously? Go back to UT, buddy.
Got 12?
May 29th, 2009
10:26 am
For the fans of other conferences who are jealous of the SEC’s on-field and commercial success, simply start going to your team’s games and buying more merchandise. That’s how the SEC has gotten where it is today–fan support.
The SEC has led the nation in attendance (percentage of capacity) since 1983-when the NCAA started keeping the stat. I’m pretty sure we are tops in merchandising as well. That brings television contracts which brings more exposure with brings the best coaches who improve play and attract the best players.
Stop whining and complaining! Go support your team!
gatorman770
May 29th, 2009
10:28 am
Rational Citizen, the alcohol industry and the drug industies contribute too much money to money hungry congressman of both parties to keep it illegal. Just think what the legalization would do to just the drug companies multibillion dollar sleeping-pill industry that pull in 18-19% profit (while the oil companies were bashed by the likes of Owl Gore for 7-9% profits…go figure).
Seriously?
May 29th, 2009
10:29 am
Cameron – I get that SEC football is the best current brand. I don’t like how ESPN is able to capitalize on both SEC and BCS because the BCS is based on polls/opinions/computers that ESPN has a sizeable influence on. Do you not see this as sort of conflict of interest scenario? Take off your SEC shades for a minute.
Tide rising
May 29th, 2009
10:34 am
Tony,
Thanks for the articles and we’ll see you in July.
Nice for him to end the column for awhile by talking about the SEC’s burgeoning prominence and success. Just when you think SEC football can’t get any bigger or better we outdo ourselves even more. We’ve only got a mere 2 months or so to get through before they start August preseason practices. I can hardly wait. Rolls Tides.
stinger
May 29th, 2009
10:37 am
Whattheheck and rational citizen, STFU or take it to the political blogs.
AUtiger
May 29th, 2009
10:37 am
When is bama going on probation?
Seriously?
May 29th, 2009
10:37 am
Maybe UT can out do themselves and beat Wyoming, Vandy can beat Duke, Auburn can beat anyone, MSU can beat anyone…..SEC is a great league, but don’t get ahead of yourself there Tide rising. UL Monroe aint too far in the past…
Cameron
May 29th, 2009
10:41 am
I agree that ESPN shouldn’t have so much influence over who plays in the BCS games. Look at what happened two years ago with UGA, they came out and said that UGA shouldn’t play for the NC because they didn’t win their own conference. Sure enough, LSU went instead of us. It works both ways. In the end, ESPN and other media outlets are going to pump up the best teams. But, when it is close say between Notre Dame and UGA for the last spot to play, say USC, in the NC game, do you really think they are going to push for UGA just because they are in the SEC. No, Notre Dame will be pushed into the game, if at all possible, because they would offer higher ratings. Is ESPN to blame? Sure. But, they just want to mazimize their profits. Is the BCS to blame for even having a system where this can be exploiting? Absolutely. But, it doesn’t look like it is going to change any time soon. Therefore, this all comes back to average Joe fan for being intrigued by who they are intrigued by. When it comes down to it, ESPN will push for the bigger teams in the bigger markets with the most tradition that offer the most ratings and money.
Trip
May 29th, 2009
10:41 am
PAUL JOHNSON!!!
UT96
May 29th, 2009
10:41 am
Ok Cameron, let’s here your reasons for not legalizing Prostitution. It’s legal and regulated in Nevada and there hasn’t been a spike in crime because of it. So, come on, give me some valid reasons.
RAMBLE ON!!!
May 29th, 2009
10:44 am
YOU WANT STUDENT ATHLETES; I’LL GIVE YOU STUDENT ATHLETES!!!
Kristi Miller graduated last year from GT with a 4.0 and a National Championship in Tennis. (She’s cute too). I SAID A 4.0!!!!!!
Whitney Haller (She’s cute too) just won the ACC Championship, 1st team Academic All American in Softball and will be graduating soon with a 3.8 something (One B in her career at GT).
We’re not talking about Basket weaving or Principles of Basketball classes either.
Yes Tony, there are some good kids in the SEC, but the great kids are in the ACC.
Seriously?
May 29th, 2009
10:45 am
Cameron – Agreed. The BCS is crap…but i can’t stop watching it…
Huh?
May 29th, 2009
10:48 am
Please allow me to translate whattheheck’s posts: “I’m a whiny crybaby wet the bed Techie that is insanely jealous of SEC athletics. I will pretend not to care about athletics in an attempt to divert attention from the historic mediocrity of the teams that I support, but my pontification on blogs such as this suggests otherwise. I took calculus and my soul is more fundamentally pure than yours because I went to Georgia Tech and you did not.”
SEC alum here and I am clearly not illiterate. As you can see, I can even read between the lines. You sir are dismissed.
RAMBLE ON!!!
May 29th, 2009
10:48 am
Daryl Richard got his degree from GT in 3 years, when it takes most mortals 5 years…He was the DT on the team that put a 45-42 beat down on the fleabags. He’s now working on his MBA.
What?, Huh? Yeah, get you some of that.
RAMBLE ON!!!
May 29th, 2009
10:51 am
Huh? which would you like to be called the kettle or the pot?
Got 12?
May 29th, 2009
10:51 am
AUTiger,
There’s a of Auburn stuff you should excited about and proud of–new head coach, new high-paid coaching staff, new and exciting recruiting tactics–but all you have to look forward to is possible NCAA sanctions against Bama.
You guys are simply pAUthetic.
Rational Citizen
May 29th, 2009
10:51 am
Bamafan, does everyone you know that drinks alcohol drink all day? If you drink, are you drunk right now? If you want to argue, then bring some facts and a coherent message to the table.
Nachos, just because your reading comprehension skills are so poor as to not allow you to get through my post, that’s no reason to start accusing anyone of being a stoner. And by your logic, does that mean that anyone who drinks alcohol is a drunk or an alcoholic?
Again, all I’m calling for is a rational discussion of the benefits and drawbacks. I’ve presented some of the benefits, with facts to back it up. The least anyone who disagrees with me can do is argue based on something more than emotion.
Justin
May 29th, 2009
10:55 am
I’ll take this moment to express thanks that I have nothing what-so-ever to do with the cry babies of the ACC.
When it comes to football (the subject of this blog), nothing beats the SEC!
Wil Walton
May 29th, 2009
10:56 am
Rational Citizen, I’m not sure that the Mr. College Football blog is the appropriate platform to voice your opinion about politics.
AUtiger
May 29th, 2009
10:57 am
Where will Nick Saban go to next after bama goes on probation? Will he stay in the SEC or go elsewhere?
Justin
May 29th, 2009
10:58 am
btw…the “rational citizen” handle is clearly a misnomer. Any “rational” person could see this blog is about football. Not dope, not smoke and not drink. What possible good do you expect from posting your propaganda here?
Gator Nation
May 29th, 2009
10:59 am
Thanks Tony for a great blog. Enjoy your time away.
Go Gators!
Tide rising
May 29th, 2009
11:01 am
AUtiger,
We will pretty much just get a slap on the wrist on the textbook issue and may not lose any schollies at all. If we do it will be probably 2 to 4 max schollies lost over 2 years. No big deal.
If all you’ve been reduced to is hoping and praying that Saban leaves Bama then that is indeed a sad indictment of the state of Auburn football. You should spend more time worrying about finding a head coach then hoping against all hope that Saban leaves.
BTW, how is the search for a head coach going? When are ya’ll going to hire one?
Trip
May 29th, 2009
11:01 am
Remember: PAUL JOHNSON!!!
G8R GRAD
May 29th, 2009
11:02 am
Thanks for a great ride, TB.
Have a great summer and we’ll see ya in July.
And if you get to Gulf Shores/Orange Beach/Perdido Key, don’t miss the Flora-Bama!
Georgia Gator
May 29th, 2009
11:03 am
Rational Citizen,
Is it true that your birthday is 4/20?
AUtiger
May 29th, 2009
11:04 am
I went to Auburn and I wonder how many people here can say they actually went to college. I love my alma matter and don’t care who is the head coach, unlike a bunch closet bammer fans who come out only when you have a big name coach and a good season.
Justin
May 29th, 2009
11:05 am
Tide Rising….what an appropriate name for a fan of the “free cruise” school.
Haven’t heard yet?
You will.
ACCgrad
May 29th, 2009
11:06 am
Congrats to the SEC for its big TV contract. But aside from Vanderbilt, there isn’t a single school in the SEC that I would allow my children to attend. As Randy Newman sang about LSU grads: “Go in dumb, come out dumb, strolling ’round Atlanta in their alligator shoes…”
Huh?
May 29th, 2009
11:06 am
“45-42 beat down”
Ramble On, which would you like to be called? Dumb or dumber?
Kid Ray
May 29th, 2009
11:07 am
good job TB; see you on the other side.
reservoirDAWG
May 29th, 2009
11:08 am
Total agreement.
Frozen_Gator
May 29th, 2009
11:17 am
Thanks Tony,I always look forward to your articles and will miss it until July…………….If you think that the SEC is prestigous now, just give the ESPN hype machine about 2 yrs. The Big ten and Pac ten had better take this seriously and act or the SEC will separate itself much farther than it allready is and do it much faster. But, that’s OK by me.
Bamafan
May 29th, 2009
11:17 am
Rational Citizen I work for a medical laboratory in Nashville and I see a lot of people with drug problems and alcohol problems. Many young people start off using mary jane and get caught up with
the heavy drugs and really makes a living hell out of themselves and gets in trouble with the law. Some states have made dope legal for cancer patients and I can understand the thinking behind the decision, but I am against making dope legal for the average every day person!!
Tide rising
May 29th, 2009
11:20 am
Justin,
Very good. Just another unsubstantiated rumor coming from an Auburn blogger. You guys are pretty good at that. But then again when Saban is cleaning your clock in the instate recruiting battles I guess you got to resort to some desperate measures like fictitious recruiting stories to try to stem the Tide so to speak.
I’ve got a standing reward of $1,000 to any Auburn fan who can produce evidence of stuff like the Gadsden rumors or in your case your newfound rumor about free cruises. So far no takers. I guess money talks and boolsheeters like yourself walk. When you can produce evidence more substantial than rumors that started on Auburn message boards then please let me know. Otherwise just STFU.
RAMBLE ON!!!
May 29th, 2009
11:23 am
relative to you, Huh?…I’ll be dumb, clearly you’re dumber.
Justin
May 29th, 2009
11:25 am
LOL @ Tide. I have absolutely nothing to do with any team in Alabama. Good luck Good lu…..on second thought, nevermind. You silly bammers deserve everything you get.
PTC DAWG
May 29th, 2009
11:30 am
Well Tony, thanks for the articles…not much left for me to check out in the AJC now. See you soon…
willie
May 29th, 2009
11:30 am
All you fund raisers talking about the potence of a degree just tell me the percentage of college graduates work their discipline. It is for a piece of paper to keep them from working in inclement weather.
We have lawyers working as investigative reporters on fox, cbs, abc, and msnbc. So much for BA in investigative journalism and so much for your degree–it is only getting your ticket punched.
Athletes can usually retire in their 30’s. I bet you hope to do it in your 50’s.
Gen Neyland
May 29th, 2009
11:35 am
Let’s not make this an Anything Goes Friday. Ignore the political debates for the sake of what we are here for. We’re here to crucify that new coach at UT, over and over again…right..?
TB : Thx for the forum. I counted 1,036,282 posts in your blog since mid-March related to that new coach at Tennessee (I will not envoke his name today in honor of your planned departure). To the Red Elephants, Gators, Lamecrocks, Razorpigs, Tigers all and the rest, have a safe summer and may the SEC flop in the 2009 Fulmer Cup standings…Go Vols
Tide rising
May 29th, 2009
11:35 am
Justin,
I get it. You’re just making stuff up for fun. Oh well. If that’s how you get your jollies then so be it. Good luck to you and whoever you pull for. Rolls Tides.
Tide rising
May 29th, 2009
11:39 am
General Neyland,
Is that all? I thought it would be a couple billion posts relative to the man in orange. You have to admit though that even though its way overblown it has been fun posting about him. Have a good summer.
Gen Neyland
May 29th, 2009
11:43 am
Tide rising : Why do I feel it was but a prelude..?
The Slophouse » Money the talk at SEC spring meetings
May 29th, 2009
11:47 am
[...] Slive will announce what is expected to be another record year for shared revenues in the SEC in today’s final gathering of coaches and athletic directors at the spring meetings. [...]
Rational Citizen
May 29th, 2009
11:52 am
Bamafan…one reason I am for LRT is because I think our policy on marijuana is very misleading to the young kids you see who are hooked on harder drugs. Because we associate marijuana with other hard drugs in terms of its illegality and the messages they see on TV about how it’s going to ruin their lives, if they try it they are going to find out that marijuana is not going to kill them and is not going to ruin their lives. They are then more likely to doubt that other, harder drugs, which can kill them and will ruin their lives, probably aren’t that bad either.
You say you see kids who start off using mary jane and then move on to harder drugs, but I doubt the veracity of that statement. It is more likely that those kids started off either using tobacco or alcohol before they ever tried marijuana. So if your logic is that marijuana should remain illegal because it’s a “gateway drug”, then you should also be actively advocating for the prohibition of tobacco, alcohol, and any other substance that may lead to harder drugs.
I’d also like to ad that this really is a moot argument, because no one is advocating for LRT so that anyone, at any age, at any time can use it. But adults who choose to partake in a responsible manner should have that option without fear of being arrested.
Last Word
May 29th, 2009
12:00 pm
Rational Citizen,
Just four hours and twenty minutes to go!
GT
May 29th, 2009
12:00 pm
Most of the football talent comes out of the southeastern part of the US. Kids want to stay home.
The only thing missing is the coaching talent is not as good as the playing talent. I am talking assistant coaching. You get these nowhere school like Utah or TCU producing mountains of great coaching, even Tech was spitting off a few like the guy in Connecticut, UCF, Maryland and Roof just got fired at Duke and will be a hell of a defensive coach at Auburn. Seems like with all that money they would have the assistant thing tied up better. Georgia is a perfect example. Richt is undeserved by his defensive staff and really by his offensive coordinator too. The offense was better when Richt called the plays. Tuberville had the same problem with his coordinators at the end. Just don’t understand it. I think they might rue the day they let Tommy go but this new guy has some of the best coordinators in the country so sit back and watch they may be good. The talent is so abundant in football now and the scholarships limited so this micromanaging is the secret to winning football. Watch a coach like CPJ ,he brings a herd of people from Navy with him, a lot of these SEC coaches move almost completely by themselves. If Auburn does not do well right off it will be that none of these coaches ever worked together. One of the things that will help Tenn. is a father and son combination. You can trust your assistance. Wonder how many guys trust each other in the high paying, high flying SEC.
Leon "Pooch-Kick" Trotsky
May 29th, 2009
12:02 pm
Rational Citizen
That was like reading War & Peace
Gatorzone
May 29th, 2009
12:03 pm
Good Job on another good year Tony! Have a great Vacation! To all my fellow SEC fans, just disregard all of those jealous wanna be fans of ACC teams. The whole nation knows who has the best Football, and that is what this blog is about!
Rational Citizen, I agree with your premise just not on this blog.
UT, prostitution… I agree too.
Live and let live!!!
GO GATORS!!!!
Bamafan
May 29th, 2009
12:05 pm
Rational Citizen you make some good points, but dope will never been legal in the state of Tennessee
in my lifetime. Hell i can’t believe we have the lottery in Tennesse , which I was for the kids education
to go to college. We better get off the subject before they throw us off the blog and get back to talking
SEC football. Good luck with your crusade!!
RxDawg
May 29th, 2009
12:07 pm
That’s a good point Tony. I am a pretty brilliant and knowledgeable football fan
Have a great summer.
Gatorzone
May 29th, 2009
12:16 pm
Or as our esteemed representative from North Florida says…
“GO GATOR!”
One step ahead of the game « Get The Picture
May 29th, 2009
12:26 pm
[...] step ahead of the game Jump to Comments Check out this fascinating little bit of information Barnhart dishes out today at his blog: Over the course of the week I found out that there is an [...]
Alphare
May 29th, 2009
12:49 pm
Speaking of money, $17mill is NOT a lot. GTech Material Science & Engineering with a mere 40 falcuties attracts $26mill every year. Harvard has endowment fund of $26bil. Its anuual average growth (assuming 4% be average) can reach 1bill, which is 60times of 17mil.
Football is fun, but making money thru sports? I am not sure.
How2fish
May 29th, 2009
12:53 pm
Tony great article have a great summer…not sure which I don’t understand the most..the dope posts..by a dope..or the SEC bashing…the weeks articles were on the SEC spring meetings..not the ACC me thinks there is a LOT of SEC wannabe’s crying and pounding on their..(tiny) chests….I understand the Techies not knowing how to tell the difference..thay tend to spend more time on the UGA blogs than their own…but Mister please..we came here to talk football..not dope legal or otherwise please go away and come back when you understand the difference in Football and Dope..thanks..
Anonymous
May 29th, 2009
1:02 pm
Rational Citizen
Your post sounds like the rambling logic of a dope smoker. Coincidence?
Atlanta Gator
May 29th, 2009
1:04 pm
Thanks for all that you do, Tony! Looking forward to your new columns in July.
Gator Growl
May 29th, 2009
1:07 pm
To all the posters who have nothing better to say every day other than Urban Meyer is going to Notre Dame or Nick Saban is blowing out once Bama goes on probation…please do us all a favor and come up with something new and original by the time TB comes back. Your wishful thinking is getting VERY old and tired…Also have a feeling we won’t be hearing too much from Boy Blabber for a while…heard Slive laid the law down at the meetings and I’m afraid we’re in for a “quiet period” as they say in recruiting…In the meantime, it’s full metal jacket for my Gator Boys who are getting put thru the mill by MM as we speak…Bigger, Faster, Stronger.
Money the talk at SEC spring meetings | MrSEC.com
May 29th, 2009
1:20 pm
[...] Slive will announce what is expected to be another record year for shared revenues in the SEC in today’s final gathering of coaches and athletic directors at the spring [...]
DawginLex
May 29th, 2009
1:47 pm
Rambler,
And you wonder why all Tech people hate you and why your fanbase is vilified by UGA grads? Only great kids come from the ACC? You seriously write this stuff and believe it? My kid is a great kid and she is not going to an ACC school. She is studying to be a doctor BTW.
So from all of BullDAWG nation, KISS MY BULLDAWG @!@*******!!!!@
Anonymous
May 29th, 2009
2:10 pm
ACCgrad,
With intelligence comes the commensurate responsibility of grace, understanding, tolerance and generosity.
Apparently, you didn’t get that memo.
TECH FAN
May 29th, 2009
2:37 pm
Anonymous,
thanks for that pathetic piece of poetry. you really outdid yourself on that one, didnt you?
to everyone else, congratulations on your TV contract. while you are slaving away flipping burgers, you can laugh at that stupid jealous Tech kid that has a great career. stupid him. he should have gone to an SEC school where they got some football, yall!! Thats where real men live. SEC land. “I dont care bout no edumacation, I just want to be able to park my truck in a parking lot once a week in the fall, forget about my worthless life, and enjoy a meaningless victory of a team that i dont play for and could give a rats b*** that i exist.”
SEC RULES!!!! You guys rock on this blog. I mean, you have so much support. We really could learn from you all. Why in the heck did I waste my time going to Tech when I could have been partying with the rest of you rednecks? oh yeah, because I had this little thing called a brain.
Pathetic.
LK
May 29th, 2009
2:44 pm
I’m posting this from a recruit’s Blackberry: Coarch Urban Meyers a cheetah.
Anonymous
May 29th, 2009
2:54 pm
Brilliant retort, Einstein.
Anonymous
May 29th, 2009
2:59 pm
“. . . because I had this little thing called a brain.”
All evidence to the contrary.
RAMBLE ON!!!
May 29th, 2009
3:05 pm
dawginLex, congratulations on your daughter. You are, and should be proud.
If she studies hard, maybe she can transfer to Duke.
NEXT#13
May 29th, 2009
3:23 pm
autigger,BAMA will go on probation the you barner’s win a MNC !!!
NEXT#13
May 29th, 2009
3:24 pm
HINT TO au tigger……IT AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN !!!
G8R GRAD
May 29th, 2009
3:34 pm
Co-hosting a neighborhood party this evening (band, burgers,beer).
Hope all have a great weekend!
Even you delightful ACC fans.
Got 12?
May 29th, 2009
3:34 pm
The other conferences don’t have to wait until next year’s television contracts start to be jealous:
For the 19th consecutive year, the SEC announced a record in revenue sharing at the end of its annual spring meetings here today. The league will distribute about $132.5 million to its 12 member institutions via its revenue sharing plan for the 2008-09 fiscal year.
The $132.5 million was derived from $52 million from football television, $25.4 million from bowls, $14.3 million from the SEC Championship Game, $13.6 million from basketball television, $4.1 million from the men’s basketball tournament and $23.1 million from NCAA Championships.
sundawg
May 29th, 2009
3:36 pm
Tony,
Will you do your radio show over the summer, and if so, where can I find it?
SEC Doles Out the Dough | Blogging on the Arkansas Razorbacks
May 29th, 2009
3:36 pm
[...] important, it’s going to get even better next season when the league’s enormous television contracts with CBS and ESPN kick in. The league [...]
buckblue
May 29th, 2009
4:47 pm
Roulx…Tide…..around the bowl and down the hole….
jumbeauxtiger
May 29th, 2009
5:20 pm
Great article Tony and I will miss your blogs. Have an enjoyable summer!
Geaux Tigers!
Go SEC!
Dawgman
May 29th, 2009
8:09 pm
Looking forward to the 2009 season, but not the new ESPN contract. I’ll miss the old Raycom games that were on free TV every week. They had just upgraded to HD last season too. With my basic cable I only get ESPN and ESPN 2 so now I will have to upgrade to get all the ESPN channels, probably to only pick up a couple of games I am interested in. Plus I got the Raycom HD signal for free and now I will have to pay extra for an HD package. Bummer
Bearcatbob
May 29th, 2009
9:09 pm
As a fan of the 2008 Big East Champions and the deal that ESPN has with the BE to televise all BE games, it will be interesting to watch the reaction when ESPN places games on ESPN 360 and a lot people dont have access to ESPN 360 based on the ISP they have. If its similar to the Big East, the games that are on ESPN 360 cannot be broadcast on any other tv station except maybe the College Gameday package. Cant wait to see what happens when that happens to rabid SEC fan when they cant watch their school one or more Saturdays. The ESPN deal with the Big East which involves both football and basketball and is similar to the SEC one might be good for the schools but it is not for fans.
nerds helper
May 29th, 2009
11:26 pm
you guys do now the SEC went 4-6 agains the ACC last season? ok, just checking
nerds helper
May 29th, 2009
11:27 pm
now = know
Nachos
May 29th, 2009
11:59 pm
When is Autiger going to seek help for being such a dooouche bag barner?
Nachos
May 30th, 2009
12:01 am
Hey Autiger two words… GENE CHIZIK. The End.
SC Rules!!!
May 30th, 2009
2:15 am
Tony,
I really enjoy the blog, can’t wait for the new season to begin! Relax and catch up on the simpler pleasures of life. See ya in July!
SEC Fans: Don’ worry too much about my beloved Rose Bowl, she’ll be just fine in SC’s abscence this coming January. Coach Tedford and the Cal Bears will keep the home fires burning while we skin some Lizard in the BCS title game! Urban Sprawl, don’t look now but Coach Carroll is in the FLA closing the deal on a few MORE 4 & 5 star recruits for the 2010 signing class. Told ya not to look. Fight On!
p.s PAC-10 (5-0) during bowl season against all conferences!
SC Rules!!!
May 30th, 2009
2:22 am
Coach Kiffin;
Tell your son to quit filling up Coach Carroll’s voice mail with pleas to be taken back.
Vol fan: See ya, wouldn’t wanna be ya! Man are we glad he’s “your” problem now!
Fight On! Trojans #1 SC Rules!!!
SC Rules!!!
May 30th, 2009
2:30 am
The SC Trojans Rock!!!!! All them FLA high schoolers just jonesin to come out to Cali baby and roll with the cool one himself, Coach Carroll. Goin to Cali baby, they’re goin to Cali!!! Don’t hate the playa, hate the game, ’cause y’all gonna get gamed for sure come January! Fight On!!
SC Rules!!!
May 30th, 2009
2:39 am
SEC fans, y’all been jumpin’ out your skin at the thought that my beloved TROJANS are gonna be slammed by the NCAA; well sorry to bust yur bubbles, but not gonna happen. Then again y’all in the chain gang, (oops) I meant the SEC; WOULD know all about PROBATION wouldn’t ya?!?
(shane #1, how goes it Bud? You know I’m just havin’ some fun bustin VOL/Lizard fans b@lls here during the “dead zone” before fall practice. I don’t mean no mess, just havin’ a little fun!)
Fight On!
warjacket
May 30th, 2009
7:25 am
I too am going to miss the games on Raycom. Hopefully ESPN will bring on the Dave’s. If not, it will be like watching all those Fox announcers doing the BCS games that collectively know squat about college football.
m
May 30th, 2009
8:17 am
tony, the sec may have won 3 straight FAKE championships…but they have not won a legitimate national title….because college football doesn’t have a true champion…it has the bullshiite bs bcs.
Until we get a legitimate 16 team playoff…these bullshiite beauty contests will be just that…an ugly duckling.
Tex
May 30th, 2009
9:08 am
You are the best in the business TB! Thanks and enjoy your time off.
Iowa’s Rose Bowl chances may grow slimmer | The Hlog, by Cedar Rapids Gazette Sports Columnist Mike Hlas
May 30th, 2009
1:04 pm
[...] Tony Barnhart of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution came up with an interesting tidbit Friday in this piece. [...]
SC Rules!!!
May 30th, 2009
4:16 pm
Hey Iowa chicken potpie, even with the couple of good players you had this past season you couldn’t/didn’t come close to punching a ticket to Pasadena. So why now are you all up in arms about “your chances” being ruined by the secret clauses put in place by the BCS. Try being something better than 8-5! Then again, it sounds like y’all have the travel agent in San Antonio on speed dial for another trip to the History bowl. One trip to the big city every 20 something years sounds like it is all you can handle anyways. Iowa/Illinois Big 10/11 champs once every 25 years, what did the Shrubs and Muscrats use up their frequent flyers miles from ORD to LAX????
Fight On!!!!
Me
May 30th, 2009
6:58 pm
Also, ol “Teflon Pete” must be proud that Lame and Coach O are carrying on the SC tradition of recruiting like the shirt ripping and fog machines etc. By the way how was it that Loser Lane was your OC and doesn’t have a clue about the NCAA rules. You know, the complicated ones like not mentioning a recruit by name until the LOI is signed. And it looks like this guy Bryce Brown indeed could be the new Reggie Bush…in more ways than one. It will be interesting the day that “Teflon Pete” turns into “Probation Pete”.
Me
May 30th, 2009
7:04 pm
Hey m, come on down and check out our fake trophies and rings! They look amazingly like the real thing!!! Go Gator!
GruesomeGator
May 30th, 2009
7:21 pm
Yeah I never realized that Pete C has “man boobs”. Could really use a manzier or at least a “bro”. No nipple rings though, I’ll give him credit for that.
bamaguyinthebranch
May 30th, 2009
11:22 pm
I just sat down and read Tony’s blog and was impressed by the numbers coming and such. I then hit the reactions to his blog expecting the usual stuff and caught the pot smoker on the 2nd post. Dude, did you just come back from McDonalds with 3 sausage McMuffins and stumble upon a random article that you could blog on? Stop with the “wake and bake” and grow up. Your parents are tired of you not paying rent and that “Speech Degree” from UGA will not get you anywhere, especially when you choose to use your “education” to further your quest for a “POT FRIENDLY NATION”. Reach over and turn the Pink Floyd off, stop sucking on that bong, and join society. The operational world really doesn’t care if the fish in your aquarium are trippin’ you out. Get the fan out of your dorm window and the towel from under your door, there is a wonderful world out there for you to see. Your dawgs aren’t that bad (not that you would know, as you show up at the game in the 2nd qtr, then leave halfway into the 3rd). And yes, I know your boy, Quincy Carter is gone, but you have his poster up. Concentrate, and go to another website, or blog where it may make more sense to throw your “weed love” into the fray.
The wake and bake dawg nation must be trippin’
TONY blowhard
May 30th, 2009
11:24 pm
Better save about half of that 3 billion for the lawyers that you’ll need when the cheating gets ramped up to the third degree because of the increased pressure to win on these overpaid coaches and the SEC’s penchant to win at ALL costs. “Student athlete” just became a bigger joke than it already is when it comes to SEC football. SWC here we come!
Bo Williams
May 31st, 2009
8:31 am
I am a retired professional interpreter, graduated from UNC w/advanced degree in area of Slavic Linguistics. In the Fall I just love to catch the Swan Quarter-to-Ocracoke Island ferry and ride my BMW cycle around the island, then return to my home on the Pamlico River in time to watch Butch’s Heels, then Roy’s boys doing their thing. What do you like to do?
Is The Rose Bowl Slumming? « The Mountain West Conference Connection
June 1st, 2009
9:08 am
[...] That being said there is a nice little nugget found in the new BCS contract with ESPN, Tony Barnhart put on his Atlanta Journal-Constitution blog: [...]
Stumpy's Bear
June 1st, 2009
9:44 am
With SEC schools receiving that much additional cash each year, how do you think that affects a school’s ability to succeed that isn’t in the conference? Do you think there will be a big effect in the long run? How big of an advantage is it? Certainly worries me as, while I enjoy following the SEC, my teams is in the ACC.
Not Disappointed
June 1st, 2009
10:16 am
“Awwww College Football is in the air!” Man, it can get here fast enough!” Ramblin Wreck!
Saint Nick
June 1st, 2009
10:59 am
M PLEASE STFU!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot wait until Bama biotch slaps GT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PaulC
June 1st, 2009
3:23 pm
THUG-U Strikes Again!!!!!
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4221947
Make that 24 arrests in 4 years. And that’s just the football team. Hide your head in disgrace, ‘turds.
Barbarians at the Rose Bowl Gates « emosewami | imawesome
June 1st, 2009
4:32 pm
[...] Rap, Rap, Rapping At The Door — Bad news is best delivered on Friday, so no surprise when it was discovered that in the new BCS contract the Rose Bowl must fill one of its slots to a non-BCS team (think [...]
Barbarians at the Rose Bowl Gates
June 1st, 2009
6:28 pm
[...] Rap, Rapping At The Door — Bad news is best delivered on Friday, so no surprise when it was discovered that in the new BCS contract the Rose Bowl must fill one of its slots to a non-BCS team (think [...]
Is The Rose Bowl Being Strong Armed by ESPN? | sportsjabber.net
June 1st, 2009
9:42 pm
[...] That being said there is a nice little nugget found in the new BCS contract with ESPN, Tony Barnhart put on his Atlanta Journal-Constitution blog: [...]
Gator T
June 2nd, 2009
9:34 am
Always a class act, Tony…We appreciate you and respect your work.
Gator T
June 2nd, 2009
9:43 am
Pau C- since you can count so well, count he won-loss record for UF vs UGA in the past decade.Count who won the SEC All Sports trophy most often.Count who is the better school in academics, athletics and every other measure you can come up with (other than arrests, which GA is no stranger to, either)…
Oh, and find a little time to improve your vocabulary,or is “‘turds” the best you can come up with?
Finally, we wish the Dawgs well this season…in every game but the one you want to move out of Jacksonville….
kind regards,
The 2008 National Champions
RB
June 2nd, 2009
3:47 pm
I’m going to assume that most of the Anti-SEC vitriol is directed at ‘Dawg fans in Atlanta….because even though we all are aware of the fact that only Vandy can come close to GaTech’s academic creds, there is one other SEC school that is a member of the AAU, has status of “Public Ivy” and an average GPAs for incoming freshmen of 4.2…
…and that would be the University of Florida…
Gators excel on the field, court, diamond…AND in the classroom…
I’d proudly send my kids to Gainesville to get their education, don’t think I could say that about ALL of the ACC schools… [wink, wink]
Notre Dame (football only discussion) - Page 114 - BuckeyePlanet Ohio State Forums
June 16th, 2009
4:32 pm
[...] clear north of $15 million from the conference, a number that will only increase in years to come. Every school in the SEC will bank, conservatively, $17 million. [...]
Rational Citizen's Roommate
June 22nd, 2009
8:44 pm
Rational,
Dude! Pass the Cheetos!
Notre Dame/ NBC contract
June 22nd, 2009
10:41 pm
[...] clear north of $15 million from the conference, a number that will only increase in years to come. Every school in the SEC will bank, conservatively, $17 million. (Looking at the numbers it’s likely the SEC will hit $20 million within a couple of years.) The [...]
Big Ten, Pac-10 had no choice on Rose Bowl access | Mr. College Football
July 29th, 2009
8:36 am
[...] http://blogs.ajc.com/barnhart-college-football/2009/05/29/sec-headed-to-a-big-payday-in-2010/ [...]