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
Delbert D.
September 20th, 2011
2:07 pm
That is good news about West Virginia. They would have been a bad choice for the SEC or the ACC. Since Texas A&M is joining the SEC, Why not talk to TCU? They are currently talking to the Mountain West about them not leaving for the disappearing Big East next year.
Tech '10
September 20th, 2011
2:08 pm
Call it a conspiracy theory, but I would bet that ESPN wants a playoff system and this is how they are going to get it.
Still@theBAR
September 20th, 2011
2:08 pm
T. you know all UGA fans say there are nothing but Virgins at TECH. That is a tech JOKE about UGA. get it right. No Wise men at TECH? how does that even come close to being true, but at UGA it fits and same for a VIRGIN at UGA. You are just so WRONG on all points.
USMC
September 20th, 2011
2:09 pm
“No one from the ACC is leaving..period. This is a stupid subject…Enough already!”
Come on Clemons! You guys and GaTech belong over here in the SEC anyway
Floyd
September 20th, 2011
2:11 pm
Those who think a $20M buyout clause will deter an ACC school from making the leap to the SEC haven’t looked at the numbers. In gross athletic revenue, the top tier teams in the SEC brought in about $85M. Florida State brings in about $44M annually. Uh…I’d say that difference more than covers the exit fee, wouldn’t you?
KOOL
September 20th, 2011
2:11 pm
I’d like to see the SEC offer Notre Dame an invitation… if you want to expand the TV market, no other school has the reach ND has… every game they play home & away is a sell out, i.e.- $$$… they are in Indiana which borders Kentucky (ND in the SEC makes as much or more sense as OU & Texas in the PAC-12)… let ND keep their deal with NBC, the SEC would benefit from the exposure on that network, too.
T.
September 20th, 2011
2:13 pm
See the CEO knows the Class of his customers. Read this about the Current Walmart CEO
I think Walmart had Georgia gear BEFORE this current CEO
was in place.So it had little to do with with Mister Tech grad knowing the Class of his customers.
Gator Chris
September 20th, 2011
2:14 pm
One of the main reason taht TCU won’t be admitted to SEC is because University Presidents aren’t going to want a religious school.
"THE" Pink Pony Popper
September 20th, 2011
2:14 pm
I’m here… Yes what you have heard is true, I am coming to UGA blogs. Get ready for some actual insight and reasoning. Oh by the way… GOOO DAWGS!!!
NC Dawg
September 20th, 2011
2:14 pm
If the SEC wants to send a dagger into the heart of the ACC, take one or more of the NC schools (UNC, N.C. State, Duke). It would work geographically and bring the state of NC into the SEC. Move Vandy to the SEC West to open up an extra slot in the SEC East to accommodate them.
Still@theBAR
September 20th, 2011
2:14 pm
KOOL what are you Smoking????????????
Notre Dame is a SMART School they wouldn’t even pick-up the phone if Slive called.
Gator Mike
September 20th, 2011
2:14 pm
This is all getting interesting. FSU was invited to the SEC before the invites to SoCar and Arky when the league first expanded in ‘91. FSU declined, and they went to the ACC where it was easier to win. That is not to say they would not reconsider the SEC if given the opportunity, but who cares. Same for VaTech because the ACC is easier for them.
I do not believe that WVU will fly with all of the SEC university presidents because of their low academic prowess.
I have not heard anyone mention Notre Dame to the SEC. It certainly is far fetched, but their academics are a plus, and they are competitive in all sports. It sure would be fun to have all of the current SEC Schools pounding the ND football team. Just another option.
DawginLex
September 20th, 2011
2:15 pm
I think Clem should bring his son and their tractors and join the SEC.
GT Joe
September 20th, 2011
2:15 pm
Notre Dame and Penn State to the ACC. Book it.
ND can play Miami, FSU, BC, Pitt, even GT has a legendary rivalry with ND.
Maryland and Wake are on the schedule already. And ND see itself as a East Coast team, not a midwest team.
Still@theBAR
September 20th, 2011
2:16 pm
NC Dawg must be smoking the same Bong KOOL is
really???
September 20th, 2011
2:16 pm
KOOL @ 2:11pm -
Just to repeat the oft-repeated geographical argument in the case of ND to the SEC, “Nothing says Southeastern quite like a school in Indiana, right?”
Seriously, I don’t see Notre Dame going anywhere except the Big Ten.
T.
September 20th, 2011
2:16 pm
Still@theBAR
Touchy are we? Typical snob at the joke by coke.
You are just so WRONG on all points. Your opinion there Nerd.
GeoffDawg
September 20th, 2011
2:16 pm
Still@theBAR is so angry. The ACC throwing in the towel on football has been really rough on him. Poor guy…
GT Joe
September 20th, 2011
2:17 pm
Once Penn State and ND join the ACC, SEC football dominance is over. The ACC will be the most storied and tradition-laden football conference in America. And of course, basketball is already owned by the ACC, esp. with Cuse and Pitt additions.
TexGT
September 20th, 2011
2:17 pm
There is no way Notre Dame goes to SEC – they care too much about academic prestige.
Delbert D.
September 20th, 2011
2:18 pm
@Floyd “In gross athletic revenue, the top tier teams in the SEC brought in about $85M. Florida State brings in about $44M annually. Uh…I’d say that difference more than covers the exit fee, wouldn’t you?”
Please speak to someone in the business school; they can explain it for you.
Still@theBAR
September 20th, 2011
2:18 pm
GATOR MIKE
Academics in the SEC? What are you talking about? Notre Dame is Big10 of ACC. the SEC is the GED factory of college educations for Athlete Students. WV is a Perfect fit.
"THE" Pink Pony Popper
September 20th, 2011
2:19 pm
ND is NOT coming to the SEC. Official! Next school…
Gator Chris
September 20th, 2011
2:19 pm
The SEC’s top priority should be getting a school on Tabacco Road as the 14th team.
Tigerfan91
September 20th, 2011
2:19 pm
“As far as expansion goes, FSU would be a welcome addition, as would Clemson (I guess), but Texas A&M and Missouri? No offense to either of those fine schools, but they are simply not on the same caliber as the SEC, at least in terms of athletics.”
First off, remember that it’s not just about football. Texas A&M is the current national champion in Women’s Basketball, Men’s Track and Field (3 years in a row) and Women’s Track and Field (3 years in a row). If it is just about football, looks who’s #8 in both football polls. A&M will be a good addition to the SEC. I’m a Tiger fan who lives in Texas and A&M will fit in just fine.
GT Joe
September 20th, 2011
2:19 pm
ND fits the ACC perfectly. Academics, ACC already has 7 private schools. The natural Catholic rival, BC. And of course, Miami, FSU, GT, Pitt.
Penn State is joining the ride too, because they most def. don’t want in the big 10. They consider themselves a NY/NJ school, east coast, not midwest.
T.
September 20th, 2011
2:20 pm
Once Penn State and ND join the ACC, SEC football dominance is over.
Dream on dude. Once Penn St. and ND come down an inspect
Tech downsized football arena they both reconsider.
BulldogBen
September 20th, 2011
2:22 pm
BLECH. This whole fiasco reeks to high heaven. It’s a shame what is happening.
These university presidents and AD’s are all just corporate rats sucking at the teat of the almighty dollar.
They just use “student-athlete” as some excuse to get away with it.
Heck with all of them.
GT Joe
September 20th, 2011
2:23 pm
SEC is getting left in the dust on realignment.
Slowpoke country fools…
RxDawg
September 20th, 2011
2:24 pm
“& the SEC is like getting a GED compared to a degree from an ACC school”
foolish troll
Still@theBAR
September 20th, 2011
2:25 pm
Rxdawg really?????
NC Dawg
September 20th, 2011
2:25 pm
Notre Dame will never join a conference…they still think they are an “elite” football program and too good to align with any other schools.
Gator Chris
September 20th, 2011
2:27 pm
One thing everyone seems to forget is that the SEC( and B1G ) doesn’t need to expand to be stable. I’d rather be a slow poke than make rash descisions like the ACC. SEC can stay at 13 teams and wait for the right ACC team to get fed up with traveling to NY and Boston.
truedawg
September 20th, 2011
2:27 pm
Really? Really??!! Who is the best conf? SEC!! Is there some new technology in Football? A school somewhere have something to add?? Money? Tradition?? NO!! I guess Seal Team Six will read next week that China has more members in there elite special opts team so they are changing the Navy Seals to all Seal Team Six. Am I the only one that sees how stupid this is?? The SEC is the Elite!! Usually Elite means the very few, and the top of the best. Add to this only with a team that displays the tradition and winning that is for the SEC the standard!! The few, the elite…The SEC!!! Give it time and you will see these new bigger groups fail. I hope they all know why the new movement is taking place, is to try and catch the SEC!!!
GeoffDawg
September 20th, 2011
2:27 pm
Slowpoke country fools that you’d join back with in a heartbeat GT Joe. When you operate from a position of power, you don’t have to make knee-jerk reactionary moves in an effort to stay relevant. The ACC got better at basketball while further watering down the potency of their football. Yay?
USMC
September 20th, 2011
2:27 pm
I don’t claim to be an expert with regard to “TV money” and “open new markets” and I know all of this expansion activity is due to the all mighty TV Dollar. BUT:
Look, on a smaller scale, what it the quest for the almighty TV dollar did to the ?Big12?
I hope the SEC will go with the idea of “build it and they will come”.
So my vote is for Tech, Clemmons, FSU, and VT. They all have good football programs and are in the SOUTH EAST…
Delbert D.
September 20th, 2011
2:29 pm
BulldogBen – Read that Atlantic Magazine article, and you will learn when the term “student-athlete” was first used.
USMC
September 20th, 2011
2:29 pm
“Notre Dame will never join a conference…they still think they are an “elite” football program and too good to align with any other schools.”
And let’s face it… Notre Dame does NOT belong in the SEC.
Gator Mike
September 20th, 2011
2:31 pm
Still@the Bar. I tosssed out ND to spark some interest. ND is basically selfish which is why they are not in the Big Ten which has a number of schools who can rival them academically. I will not dispute your stand on the “overall” academics in the SEC. However, are you aware that UF and Vandy are 2 members of the top academic alliance of all universities which has a limited number of qualifying schools?
Also, please note that UGA, LSU, UT have some strong academic aspects. Additionally, SoCar has the top International Business School in the country.
Go Gators and Go SEC!
Delbert D.
September 20th, 2011
2:32 pm
Are there any SEC schools that don’t belong in the SEC?
GT Joe
September 20th, 2011
2:32 pm
Geoff: GT will never join the SEC. Ever. They don’t fit us, and we don’t fit them. Academics. Culture. Everything. Not a fit.
NC Dawg: ND would join the ACC when the Big East implodes. They are in the Big East except for football; so their other sports will need to join a conference. ND would also join the ACC because with megaconferences and 8-9 game conference schedules, ND will have a hard time filling out its schedule. In the ACC, they can get a similar schedule (already has 4 ACC teams on the schedule), and add marquee games like miami, FSU, and still play Michigan and USC out of conference.
It’s a no-brainer, really.
Wreckbuzz
September 20th, 2011
2:34 pm
With all due respect to my SEC friends….
A lot of you have a clouded view of your conference. I read one guy say Texas A&M and Missouri are “not on the same caliber as the SEC, at least in terms of athletics”. Really, are you kidding me? Last time I checked, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Kentucky and Miss State were still in the SEC. These schools aren’t elite or leave A&M or Mizzou behind them.
And as far as having your pick of teams, you don’t. All of these decisions aren’t completely about money or football. They also involve academics and basketball and non-revenue sports, TV markets, etc. The teams in the ACC made their choice to stick together by the increase to $20 million and by the addition of Syracuse/Pitt. Oklahoma doesn’t want to be in the SEC because they aspire to be viewed as an academic institution. Aligning yourself with the SEC brings that down, not up.
ramblingbuzz
September 20th, 2011
2:34 pm
According to ESPN:
According to a source close to Notre Dame, the Irish’s first choice is to remain as an independent in football and stay in the Big East in all other sports.
If the Irish decide they can’t remain as a football independent then the choice would be to pursue the ACC before the Big Ten.
GT Joe
September 20th, 2011
2:34 pm
Geoff, Pitt is not “watering down” football. Pitt is a far more storied football school than UGA. Or GT for that matter. Cuse is bad at football, sure. But ND and PSU and even UConn (BCS last year) would raise ACC football ABOVE the SEC.
USMC
September 20th, 2011
2:35 pm
Truedawg@2:27
Agreed. Very well put. Let’s take our time and not get blinded by “TV Money”.
If the SEC continues on the same path we have been on for the last two decades, the TV money will follow the SEC. I like Texas A&M okay, but not in the SEC. GT, Clemmons, FSU, and VT would be MUCH better fits. And for all of us UGA fans, Tech needs to be in the SEC, forget about the TV money market, garbage.
truedawg
September 20th, 2011
2:35 pm
ACC and others wish to expand because they are falling behind in football to the SEC, add every school in the NCAA to one conf and then and only then would it be equal. look at the polls for the past ten years. The SEC leads the way. don’t mess with whats working!!
Patrick Romano WAR DAMN EAGLE
September 20th, 2011
2:35 pm
Since when is Misouri & West Virginia even sconsidered even South or geographically South of the Mason-Dixon line…What a joke, 20 Million in this economy is chump change, ask Barack?
WAR DAMN EAGLE, would rather see Clemson in it, at least they are in it geographically and heartedly speaking…
GOP Cannon
September 20th, 2011
2:36 pm
Is there any chance of Georgia Perimeter College signing on with the SEC?
ramblingbuzz
September 20th, 2011
2:37 pm
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/6993604/big-east-big-12-talking-possible-merger-sources-say
truedawg
September 20th, 2011
2:37 pm
Add only a team that fits I agree. GT VT FSU or Clemson. If they don’t want in now, then wait.