Is raiding the ACC still a possibility for the SEC?
I was talking conference expansion yesterday with a Georgia fan who posited that the ACC upping its exit fee to $20 million pretty much kills any chance of the SEC getting Virginia Tech or FSU or Clemson.
Looks like we’ll end up with West Virginia or Missouri, he said, noting that he didn’t view Texas A&M and Missouri/West Virginia as adding much luster to the SEC, though the conference did enter this expansion mess in a stronger position than any other league, in terms of football (which is what’s driving all this change).
A couple of thoughts about all that. First, the only ACC team that’s made any noise at all about studying possible realignment is FSU, and while their president obviously was among those voting unanimously to increase the exit fee, that doesn’t necessarily mean Florida State might not still find it worth its while to pay the $20 million in order to join the SEC. I can’t really see any of the other ACC schools, like Clemson, paying that fee, though.
Whether or not there was a rumored “gentlemen’s agreement” in the past for the SEC not to add teams in states where a conference member already resides — and there’ve been reports there never was any such agreement — FSU would certainly add to the SEC’s TV star power, even if it wouldn’t bring in a new television market. And it would counter the addition of Texas A&M geographically.
But while Missouri might not seem all that sexy a choice from a fan point of view, it would bring the St. Louis and Kansas City TV markets with it, and that would also be pretty attractive to the SEC. Auburn could move over to the SEC East to balance the divisons, thereby also assuring the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry with Georgia continues to be an every-year affair.
West Virginia? Aside from being competitive on the football field, the SEC adding a program that the ACC didn’t want, and which brings very little in terms of TV reach, would justifiably seem like an also-ran choice.
Really, I think most of the SEC would have preferred to keep the status quo, but that has become impossible in the face of all the other changes going on.
So, best-case scenario, to me, is adding Texas A&M and FSU or Missouri.
Feel free to share your own views on SEC expansion.
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657 comments Add your comment
Drop those fries and Whopper son
September 20th, 2011
1:29 pm
WhopperDawg with fries , that’s not the reason Tech left and you know it. You just hate Tech. Tech tried to get back in the SEC but Vince Dooley didn’t want any of that. Gee I wonder why? What a pansy.
You're Delusional
September 20th, 2011
1:29 pm
@Game Time
That’s why the ACC is irrelevant. Nobody wants to join an academic conference.
reebok
September 20th, 2011
1:30 pm
pretty sure, with the addition of Syracuse & Pitt, and the upcoming addition of UConn & (probably Rutgers), none of the current ACC members are going to want to bolt to the SEC. I wonder if either the ACC or SEC are looking at Cincinnati right now?
Still@theBAR
September 20th, 2011
1:30 pm
So if and big IF FSU goes the the SEC then they will have Have 2 White Girl Colleges with football teams. UGA & FSU…………..perfect
You're Delusional
September 20th, 2011
1:31 pm
@Still@theBAR
You know the old saying… The old man’s still at the bar because he has nowhere else to go.
GeoffDawg
September 20th, 2011
1:31 pm
ramblingbuzz, it’s last five. Are you new here?
UF to ACC, this has zero to do with Georgia’s current coaching staff and their recent slump. They’re still going to make a boatload regardless. My original point stands. Thanks for the spin though.
Delbert D.
September 20th, 2011
1:33 pm
Everyone who is interested in college sports should read this:
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/10/the-shame-of-college-sports/8643/
O’Bannon vs. The NCAA hopefully will destroy this corrupt organization. Midway through, the A;J. Green situation is described (as an example of the NCAA overreaching.) There is also a description of the Jan Kemp suit.
Drop those fries and Whopper son
September 20th, 2011
1:34 pm
@ You’re Delusional , at the end of the day, Football won’t pay the bills son. ACC is on top of its game. SEC will always have football and I know that is what drives TV. But the ACC looks at the big picture, not just football.
Still@theBAR
September 20th, 2011
1:34 pm
Big Ten is about academics, so is the Pac10, and the ACC too. the SEC is the ONLY major conference that doesn’t care if the Athlete Students can read. GET a CLUE……………news Flash Notre Dame is considering the ACC or the Big10…………..Would that make a Huge TV market for ALL their sports?
GeoffDawg
September 20th, 2011
1:36 pm
Tech left the SEC because they became too enamored with their own sense of self-worth and thought they would be more successful as an independent aka the Notre Dame of the South. When that didn’t work out for them, they joined the ACC. Many older tech fans would love to get back to some traditional rivalry games like with Alabama and Florida.
I know, tech acting presumptious and conceited, who would’ve thought such a thing?
The Ghost of Wally Butts
September 20th, 2011
1:37 pm
Forget “East” and “West” for the new SEC divisions….
The “Red Panty” division will be UGA, Carolina, Alabama, Miss St, A & M, Arkansas
The “Blue Panty” a.k.a. “Pay to Play” division will feature Florida, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, West Virginia
The “Division II Division of the SEC” will feature Vandy, Ky, and Tennessee and Missouri. Wins over Division II members of the SEC will only count 0.5 toward “wins” in the standings. Losing to a Division II member of the SEC will count 2.0 losses.
The losers of the SEC Champ game have to parade down North Avenue wearing the opposing teams panty colors, arm in arm with a bunch of Tiger Woods/Damon Evans types of pancake house waitresses.
Yep.
Chris
September 20th, 2011
1:38 pm
The driving forces behind VT’s move to the ACC are no longer in charge. They aren’t as tied together as you might think.
WVU has already been rejected. Kentucky would veto Louisville, as would Florida to FSU, UGA to GT and SC to Clemson.
Easiest answer is for TAMU and Mizzou (don’t forget about the TV markets) and have one of Alabama/Auburn to jump east.
Gt
September 20th, 2011
1:38 pm
First of all I hate expansion all together. It is unfair for every other sport, and we will no longer get the great ‘Kick-Off’ games like we do now. Georgia will never be able to play Boise State ever again, because with 7 other teams in a division (assuming 16 team conferences), there is not enough room to play any other team. Georgia Tech plays FSU once every blue moon now… now it will be once every 16 years if we are lucky.
Since though this is where it is going….
The price tag is way too high. Last year revenues for the SEC were ~18.5M (that is the individual school share). No school will want to give up almost an entire year of revenue. Besides, now that the ACC has made the bold move to ensure their spot as one of the superconferences, keeping their BCS bid (assuming we still have BCS bids).
FSU being as strong as they are, why would they want to leave? Right now they a big fish in a small pond. A great team (apparently, I still don’t buy it), with a bunch of so-so teams (including my beloved Jackets). They are heavy favorite for the Orange Bowl, and if not the loss to OK, potenial National Championship. FSU goes to the SEC, a medium size fish in an ocean! FSU should see the ACC is for the taking (like always), and there is no sure in the SEC.
Still@theBAR
September 20th, 2011
1:38 pm
WalMart is having a sale on Camo UGA hats and Overalls. Stop by the toilet paper aisle. Get your UGA diploma and hang it on the rear view mirror to park in handicap spaces.
UGA Insider
September 20th, 2011
1:39 pm
Delbert,
That is some great article in The Atlantic…….
I wonder if they can tell me what Obama means when he says I need to pay “My Fair Share”.
T.
September 20th, 2011
1:39 pm
bugsquacher
the record speaks for itself……
Georgia number 11 in all time football victories.
Georgia is a charter member of the SEC.Not going anywhere.
Georgia will leave SEC when there is no longer an SEC.
USMC
September 20th, 2011
1:40 pm
The SEC needs to go out and get FSU, VaTech, Clemons, and GT to make 16 schools. Done deal.
Forget the Texas schools and Missouri’s, etc.
Still@theBAR
September 20th, 2011
1:40 pm
GeoffDawg no since than debating why GT left the SEC just like Why the Confederates left the union. You are WRONG but believe what you will.
ATLdirtybirdDawg
September 20th, 2011
1:41 pm
If we could land those schools (Mizzou, WV, Louisville & hopefully FSU) the SEC would be the best super conference. The East would be Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Auburn, FSU, and West Virgina: The Central would be Miss. St. Bama, Vandy, Kentucky, Louisville & Tennessee: The West would be Arkansas, LSU, Texas A&M, Mizzou, OSU, & Ole Miss
GeoffDawg
September 20th, 2011
1:41 pm
Drop those fries and Whopper son – at the end of the day, football won’t pay the bills??? Huh? Georgia runs the gamut when it comes to quality athletics in just about every sport but these outlandish contracts are based on football numbers. bottom line.
Drop those fries and Whopper son
September 20th, 2011
1:47 pm
Really GeoffDawg? Georiga runs the gamut when it comes to football! Wow! Did you quote me out of context or what lol. And quality athletics is a bit of a stretch. The ACC as a whole rather see schools that take high interest in academics, not just football. I don’t care what Mark Bradley or Schultz say. Bottom line.
Big Dirty Dawg
September 20th, 2011
1:47 pm
Superconferences are gonna require a playoff system!! Smaller universities, buried within these conferences will never be able to compete for National Championship…not enough Athletic Dept revenue to keep up with the major players in each conference!
T.
September 20th, 2011
1:47 pm
Still@theBAR
Hey at least Wally carries UGA gear.Tech such a snob school,they carry very little Tech gear.You know if you haven’t been to school here you can’t be a fan.That’s why
your under adequate stadium is rarely full.
WhopperDawg with fries
September 20th, 2011
1:47 pm
Dropper, you don’t understand my post. I guess those facts get lost in the mindless banter. The over recruiting still continues to this day in the SEC. Biggest example is Nick Saban! By the way, I do not hate Tech! I would think that would be evident. “What’s the good word?”
USMC
September 20th, 2011
1:48 pm
“WalMart is having a sale on Camo UGA hats and Overalls. Stop by the toilet paper aisle. Get your UGA diploma and hang it on the rear view mirror to park in handicap spaces.”
LOL! that is friggin HILARIOUS and I’m a UGA fan!
(-currently in silent protest until CMR’s contract is NOT extended, etc.)
Big Dirty Dawg
September 20th, 2011
1:49 pm
Texas as always…has jacked up the system!! Now ruining the landscape and tradition of college football!!
Delbert D.
September 20th, 2011
1:49 pm
“The price tag is way too high. Last year revenues for the SEC were ~18.5M (that is the individual school share). No school will want to give up almost an entire year of revenue.”
That is correct, although there is a lot more to it. It will take a lot more annual revenue to offset $20 million in cost as a hit to operating income. The annual cost of operations has to be subtracted from the projected annual $18.5 million in revenue; then figure out how long it will take to break even an ultimately return to the previous level of profitability.
Big Dirty Dawg
September 20th, 2011
1:50 pm
I’ll even throw ESPN in the mix on this one!!!
ramblingbuzz
September 20th, 2011
1:51 pm
@GeoffDawg, 3,5 whatever. Just because the SEC has the last 5 MNCs doesn’t automatically guarantee the next 5.
GeoffDawg
September 20th, 2011
1:53 pm
Still@theBAR, you’ll excuse me if I don’t think the general reader on here will give your insight a lot of credibility. It’s ok to admit that Bobby Dodd wasn’t perfect and did have some errors in judgement from time to time. Go look up what Bobby Gaston and Bill Curry have to say about that decision. Big time D’oh!
T.
September 20th, 2011
1:53 pm
USMC
Man get real, that joke has been around since the dawn of time.Like the one,know why they had to cancel Christmas at
Tech?Could not find three wise men nor a virgin.
USMC
September 20th, 2011
1:55 pm
I am a UGA fan who would be in favor of inviting GT back to the SEC where they belong, and don’t give me the TV money argument BS. Get VT, Clemons FSU, and Tech.
The SEC will continue to be the Cream of the crop and the envy of all other conferences.
TexasDawg
September 20th, 2011
1:56 pm
With the addition of Texas A&M to the SEC, the SEC now has a foothold in Texas for recruiting, and for the Houston television market. I wonder why stop with just one Texas school? I know that TCU is set to join the Big East (or whatever that conference will be called next year), but I think they would be a great addition for the SEC, which would also bring in the Dallas television market. Just a thought.
GeoffDawg
September 20th, 2011
1:56 pm
Drop those fries and Whopper son, there’s denying reality and then there’s you. You can’t fix willful ignorance.
Lol @ramblingbuzz – never said nor implied that it did. Just reveals how knowleadgeable you are about this subject. It’s not exactly a closely guarded secret.
WhopperDawg with fries
September 20th, 2011
1:57 pm
T. What the heck are you trying to communicate? “Wally carries UGA gear”? Well, if Wally wants to carry Uga’s gear than let him, what’s it to you? Stick with the deep fryer!
USMC
September 20th, 2011
1:58 pm
“Man get real, that joke has been around since the dawn of time.Like the one,know why they had to cancel Christmas at Tech?Could not find three wise men nor a virgin.”–T.
LOL! Your’s is funny as well!
Gator Chris
September 20th, 2011
1:58 pm
West Virgina denied SEC and ACC bids.
http://eye-on-college-football.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/24156338/32130030
USMC
September 20th, 2011
2:00 pm
“Texas as always…has jacked up the system!! Now ruining the landscape and tradition of college football!!”
BINGO, Texas bit off too much and RUINED the BIG 12.
Gator Chris
September 20th, 2011
2:01 pm
@TexasDawg, TAMU is a perfect SEC fit but TCU isn’t a good fit for the SEC.
ATLdirtybirdDawg
September 20th, 2011
2:01 pm
Just read that the ACC & SEC denied WV on SBNation.com. OUCH! Lol
GoGators129
September 20th, 2011
2:02 pm
To correct all these incorrect rumors that keep getting spread around as “Facts”…1) UF is a founding member of the SEC and has no interest in leaving; 2) UF, UGA, USCe and UK do NOT have any “pact” to ban instate rival programs; and 3) Regarding FSU’s inclusion in the ACC, it was Bobby Bowden that turned down the SEC 20 years ago — not the SEC nor UF! Bowden just spoke about it again in an interview a couple weeks ago on TV.
CLEMSONDUDE
September 20th, 2011
2:03 pm
Enter your comments here
Boiby Bowden
September 20th, 2011
2:03 pm
Sunbelt Conference is trading FIU to the SEC for the dawgs. SEC Will be stronger and dawgs will fit right in with all the directionals they play.
Delbert D.
September 20th, 2011
2:03 pm
The 64 schools in the 4 superconferences may be the tipping point for the destruction of the NCAA. As the Atlantic article pointed out, in 1981 61 schools threatened to withdraw from the NCAA over the organization’s control over TV revenue. I think it is likely to happen, and the NCAA will not be involved in a playoff system for those 64 schools.
Read the October, 2011 Atlantic Magazine article. Here is the link again, if you missed it the first time:
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/10/the-shame-of-college-sports/8643/
CLEMSONDUDE
September 20th, 2011
2:04 pm
No one from the ACC is leaving..period. This is a stupid subject…Enough already!
jarvis
September 20th, 2011
2:04 pm
UCF is big. It might be a decent fit.
Still@theBAR
September 20th, 2011
2:05 pm
T. Glad Wally’s carries UGA stuff. See the CEO knows the Class of his customers. Read this about the Current Walmart CEO and see just How SMART he is…………Michael Terry Duke (born December 7, 1949)[1] is an American businessman, and currently the fourth chief executive officer of Wal-Mart.[2] Duke joined Wal-Mart in 1995, and most recently served as the executive in charge of the company’s international operations. He became the CEO of Wal-Mart in February 2009.[2]
Duke also serves on the board of directors for the Retail Industry Leaders Association and Arvest Bank’s community advisory board. He formerly held positions with a number of retailers, including Federated Department Stores, May Department Stores, and Venture Stores. Duke earned a BS in Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1971, where he was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity,[3] and now serves as a member of the institution’s advisory board.
Tech '10
September 20th, 2011
2:07 pm
ESPN offered Texas the deal, they also invited A&M, but A&M didn’t want to join something called the Longhorn Network. ESPN knew that the Big 12 was the most volatile conference and jumped on it, shaping college football to meet its standards.
Gator Chris
September 20th, 2011
2:07 pm
@jarvis, Requirments for SEC Admission
1) Good BBQ
2) New Market
3) Must have been playing football for at least 100 years.
4) Must be in South East.
UCF fails #3).
T.
September 20th, 2011
2:07 pm
WhopperDawg with fries
I think you need to reread my post.
What I’m trying to communicate is the fact,Georgia
has a large fan base,their gear is in demand and Tech’s
gear is not,largely because Tech fans are very adamant
about the fact that if you have not attended school there
they don’t want you as a fan.Go Dawgs!