SEC discusses expansion, distributes $209M in revenue (UPDATED)
(Updated 8 p.m.)
DESTIN, Fla. – Amid speculation of a massive shakeup in some of college athletics’ major conferences, the SEC quantified Friday just how well the current structure is working for its members.
The SEC completed its four-day spring meetings by announcing that it will distribute a record $209 million to its 12 members this year, $17.4 million per school –- up 58 percent from last year’s distribution of $11 million per school.
The increased payout, which is slightly higher than most projections, stems largely from the SEC’s new television contracts with ESPN and CBS. The payout also includes funds generated by the league’s football championship game and bowl games, as well as its men’s basketball tournament and its cut from NCAA championship events.
The financial bonanza is particularly notable at a time when at least two major conferences, the Big Ten and Pac-10, are trying to add schools and another, the Big 12, appears in danger of collapse.
Rumors of conference realignment and expansion have permeated college athletics for six months, gaining volume the past two days with reports that the Pac-10 is on the verge of inviting half of the Big 12 to join its ranks.
The presidents and chancellors of the SEC schools discussed the issue of expansion at length during a three-hour meeting Friday, emerging with no change from the league’s oft-stated position that it will analyze any moves by other conferences “strategically and thoughtfully” and act or react if appropriate. The consensus among the presidents and chancellors seems to be that they like their league as currently constituted but do not rule out adding members if the landscape changes substantially.
“‘Strategic and thoughtful’ could mean doing nothing, no matter what anybody else does. And it could mean doing something,” SEC commissioner Mike Slive said after the meetings adjourned. “It’s just designed to say that we have maximum flexibility in how we approach this issue.
“We are very comfortable where we are now. If nothing happened [in other leagues], we would be very comfortable [staying] where we are now. And no matter what happens, we may find ourselves very comfortable where we are now. But we may not.”
Slive declined to say whether the SEC has talked with any school(s) about the possibility of joining the league. But he suggested it’s no coincidence most of the expansion talk is emanating elsewhere.
“In fact there may be some other leagues that have some needs they’re trying to fill,” he said.
LSU Chancellor Michael Martin said “circumstances” nationally could influence the SEC on expansion but added that the league’s financial strength gives it flexibility on how to approach the issue.
“If the world changes in the future,” he said, “then I guess we’ll have to be there to see it.”
For now, the SEC is expanding in one area: revenue.
While conference-to-conference comparisons on revenue distributions cannot be fairly drawn because leagues are inconsistent in what revenue they share and how they divvy it up, the SEC was celebrating its financial results.
“This meeting, with the new [TV] contract and all, may be as much a celebration as any one I’ve seen in 13 years,” University of Georgia President Michael Adams said when he arrived at the Sandestin Hilton at mid-week.
Of the $209 million the SEC is distributing, 72 percent was produced by football, including $109.5 million from television contracts, $26.5 million from bowl games and $14.5 million from the conference championship game in Atlanta.
The remainder of the money came from basketball television ($30 million), the league’s men’s basketball tournament ($5 million) and NCAA championship events ($23.5 million).
The leap in the cumulative distribution from last year’s $132.5 million to this year’s $209 million marked the 21st consecutive year the payout has increased. The distribution has more than doubled since 2003.
“It’s an extraordinary growth,” Slive said.
The league expects the growth to continue, with or without expansion, although the major bump from the new TV contracts came this year. The contracts do have provisions allowing for renegotiation if the number of schools in the league increases.
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265 comments Add your comment
BD
June 4th, 2010
1:38 pm
Sure you can get Texas, A&M, Oklahoma, and OSU over FSU, Miami, Clemson, and GT – I figure being “jumbeautiger” means you’d want all westward expansion anyway to shift the SEC from the southeast more towards Mississippi/Louisana/Texas.
As fo everyone else in the SEC, it would be much, much, MUCH cheaper to take a road trip to FSU, Clemson, GT, and yes Miami (cheap plane flights in to Lauderdale) than it would be to travel to Texas, A&M, Oklahoma, and OSU. So while you could thump your chest about adding the B12 teams, it’d bite you in the personal wallet if you like to actually attend games. Of course, nowdays most “fans” do little more than park their butts in front of the TV anyway.
For a UGA fan, GT – easy trip, right down the road. Clemson – easy trip, just over the border (nicer than Columbia too). FSU, easy trip. Miami, cheap to fly from Atlanta to Lauderdale. The B12 teams? you are looking at at least a grand (doing it on the cheap) for a couple to travel out there, stay, eat, etc… – not including the purchase price of tix.
I don’t see why folks are so eager to put more emphasis over conference revenues over their personal budgets.
RDR
June 4th, 2010
1:39 pm
Only 2 teams from the acc are a fit with SEC football – Clemson and FSU. Both have huge fan bases and would add value to the conference. Miami and VT would also bring value, but logistics are an issue with both. The other acc schools would just sponge off the successes of the SEC, i.e. they add no financial value to the current league teams.
Tx, A&M and Okl are all dream pickups for the fans out of the Big 12 AND they would all add financial value to the league.
Lane Kiffin's Bottom Bitch
June 4th, 2010
1:40 pm
Exactly Fillin’ up @ Juniors, this about the predominant piece of the college football revenue. Anyone still yammering about Clemson and Louisville is thinking way to small. The SEC needs to expand out west which means grabbing at least three of the big programs in the Big 12.
ga gator
June 4th, 2010
1:41 pm
Dawg Fud you are absolutely correct. We need to be proactive instead of reactive. I saw the Oklahoma AD on ESPN and he sounds like he’s ready to move to either the SEC or PAC 10. Culturally the SEC would make more sense for OU. I still think OU and TX would prefer not to play in the SEC because of the Bama’s, LSU’s, Auburn’s, UGA’s and UF.
nobody
June 4th, 2010
1:43 pm
Good for the S.E.C…..President Adams is now it’s “spokesperson” as well…
Fillin' up @ Juniors
June 4th, 2010
1:43 pm
agree with dawg fud on the taking it all too seriously “play ball” its a blog comment section…its kind of what happens here…
I guess we will see now that the rumors of offers from the PAC 10 are in, we will see how the SEC counters…its reactive already since the PAC 10 offers seem to be either in or about to be in…Plus it sounds like Boise is trying to join the Mountain west which would create 7 BCS conferences. The dominos are falling.
As for the orginal question, Does this hurt the Dawgs?
I can’t see any situation minus bad seasons that this could hurt UGA. More markets, more revenue, more TV time, all good. They won’t be facing any competition levels they aren’t already comfortable with, and making rivalries into division games only makes them more fun…UGA and the other strong SEC schools will only see their revenues grow…the lower SEC schools gain a little too.
ga gator
June 4th, 2010
1:44 pm
I hope you are kidding nobody!
t_height
June 4th, 2010
1:47 pm
The only better thing the Pac-10 and Big VII has are better refs. The refs of the SEC sucks!!
Fillin' up @ Juniors
June 4th, 2010
1:51 pm
Lane Kiffin’s , Have you been to Death Valley? Thinking Clemson is a small time school shows you haven’t spent any time in Clemson or any part of South carolina. They choke, we hate them, and we(GT) usually get the better of them, but small time is absolutly not the right term for them. They are superior by fan base and basic craziness to just about all the big 12 teams except UT…The difference is UT gives their fans something to cheer for, clemson doesn’t and they still come…And this is all from a clemsux hater no less…Believe me Clemson from a sports perspective is a great school to have in a conference, especially football. And few things have been more enjoyable then beating them just about every year…
bruce mac
June 4th, 2010
1:51 pm
Old Gold, I guess Alzheimers has set in. You used to have more SEC Championships until Bobby Dudd decided GT was not good enough to compete in SEC anymore. Now you are irrelavent and projections are for you to continue on the same path.
Fillin' up @ Juniors
June 4th, 2010
1:55 pm
I would take GT’s “irrelavent, BCS Orange Bowl, double digit wins, and every other year beat instate rival path as long as I can”…over UGA’s “relavent” shrevport bowl, single digit wins, coach-in-hot-seat, every other year beat instate rival path, anyday”
So I hope your projects are right…
Otto
June 4th, 2010
2:09 pm
Expanding west to Tx and Oklahoma adds TV and recruiting. The 3 biggest recruiting areas are Texas, Ga/FL/AL, and California. The SEC would have 2 of the 3. Texas/OU would secure the biggest TV deal.
FSU and Clemson further saturates the recruiting base and TV market. FSU would lock out a large part of the Florida TV market (Tampa and Miami would still be contested). Texas/OU gets both states and a larger National presence.
RDR
June 4th, 2010
2:10 pm
tech’s really not of SEC caliber. They have a very small fan base and they’d be a financial drain on the other SEC schools. Pretty sure they’ll be scrambling to find a home after all the dust settles.
Otto
June 4th, 2010
2:11 pm
I would take 2 SEC titles, playing for a 3rd, and not winning the Tie Breaker for playing in a 4th, over 1 ACC title and getting smoked in a BCS bowl not to mention on the smurf turf.
Fillin' up @ Juniors
June 4th, 2010
2:13 pm
Otto’s got it…Finally a post that got some substance. Heres the kicker, I have been reading the Texas and Oklahoma blogs and news media…They really don’t think a) they will get and SEC offer and b) would accept it even if its given…so then what? Follow the TV market and recruiting logic to its end without Big 12 teams and…
Fillin' up @ Juniors
June 4th, 2010
2:15 pm
oh and then he blows it, by comparing several years of UGA results to a single GT year…Thats like saying I would take 100k earned over 3 years to 80k earned in one…what kind of comparison is that?
Ernesto P. Chubbaleen
June 4th, 2010
2:27 pm
If Adams is on the level, then I disagree. People who sit back and analyze watch the world pass them by. The SEC should be proactive in trying to out strategize both the Big 10 and the PAC-10. UT would be a crown jewel in the SEC and we should do everything possible to get them if things shake-out the way some are predicting. If we need to lure A&M to make UT happy, then so be it. I don’t want Miami to join the SEC under any circumstances, which has been bantered about. FSU is a much better fit for the SEC.
RDR
June 4th, 2010
2:28 pm
Fillin’ up @ Juniors
June 4th, 2010
2:15 pm
You can always tell when the kids are out of school.
Papadawg
June 4th, 2010
2:28 pm
Why would you want GT with their tiny stadium and tiny fan base. SEC already has Vandy
Otto
June 4th, 2010
2:29 pm
Juniors thanks, It will be interesting and as usual I’m sure back room deals will settle much of this.
I do find it interesting this bomb was dropped while the SEC would be talking expansion. SEC talk did have alot of chatter about Texas in ‘92 and when the Big 10 1st announced their intentions of expansion.
As I said earlier the PAC10 is in great position to land the teams discussed. IMO The SEC does need to flex their muscle to try and win the Big12 schools over if it is to compete in expansion and stay a step ahead. Will it destroy the SEC if it does not expand? I don’t think so but Slive/SEC will have to be more creative.
Keep in mind the WAC was at 16? before the MWC was formed. Granted they did not have the cash/media/TV/national ranking the new Mega Conferences would have.
A Big12 south/PAC10 merger would be basically 2 Conferences playing a playoff game and splitting the cash. Will it have the pull of the current SEC? which is clearly winning the football battle at the moment. It could fail but I doubt it.
With the Big12 off the market. IMO lock down Florida with FSU, Miami, and USF. The 4th team I would bring is VT to get the DC/Va TV and Miami’s BigEast/ACC rival. UVa does add an interesting complication maybe forcing USF out to get VT in. The 3 Florida teams and GT, Clemson, WVa, or L’ville are other options.
RDR
June 4th, 2010
2:30 pm
Ernesto P. Chubbaleen
June 4th, 2010
2:27 pm
EC. Agree. Add Clemson and we’ve got our 16 team super conference.
Otto
June 4th, 2010
2:30 pm
lol Juniors the my team is better than yours smack is one of the things that makes CFB so much fun. GT, I love beating you guys.
RDR
June 4th, 2010
2:32 pm
Papadawg
June 4th, 2010
2:28 pm
I don’t think the SEC is even considering tech. small fan base, small stadium, no national interest all add up to an unecessary drain on the SEC. tech will be scrambling to find someone who wants them along with duke, wf, md, unc, ncs, va.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
June 4th, 2010
2:32 pm
Texas and Texas A&M are not joining the SEC. Saban and Meyer would have a fit. Bama won the title last year because of an injury to the Texas QB in the 1st quarter. He knows that Bama was outplayed in the 2nd half by a freshman QB. He wants no part of Texas again.
RDR
June 4th, 2010
2:35 pm
Flo-Ri-Duh!
June 4th, 2010
2:32 pm
excuses?? you sound like a whiney techie FYI, I doubt head coaches get a whole lot of say so in this one.
Flo-Ri-Duh!
June 4th, 2010
2:36 pm
It would take schools with a big fan base and lots of $$$$ for the SEC to consider them. Tech is to small – maybe in the ACC, Clemson, Fla State, Miami and Va. Tech would be considered.
Otto
June 4th, 2010
2:36 pm
BDR, Flying to Texas or OU may not be more expensive than driving to Baton Rouge/Ark with gas prices going up. Besides they would be on rotation anyways. LSU, Ark, and the Miss. schools get better access to Texas talent. The overall equation works. I would trade the few fans not traveling to the game for the extra money the school would get and better access to Texas talent.
RDR
June 4th, 2010
2:39 pm
Otto. I’m all for adding Tx and either OU (preferable) or A&M if it gets Tx in the conference.
Fillin' up @ Juniors
June 4th, 2010
2:39 pm
RDR
Obviously you can’t tell when the kids are out of school…but your unfounded insult just goes to re-enforce you have little to add.
Otto, you would take USF into the SEC? Thats a risky move, team had 3 good years in the big east but now has a new coach, and a down year in the big east during a down year of the big east…VT would be hard to pull away but it is definatly SEC calibor. I imagine if the SEC expands and takes ACC teams the ACC would have to reload at the cost of the Big East… Its tough to see VT leaving its North carolina and Virginia Rivals, its dominance of those schools are what make VT…well VT…UNC I think is wild card because of their basketball…their football is mid to low SEC but their basketball could make SEC basketball real tough…
Flo-Ri-Duh!
June 4th, 2010
2:41 pm
RDR – I am a SEC fan all the way. Just stating a fact that Texas outplayed Bama for 2/3rds of the game but started out slow because Colt McCoy got injured. Facts are facts. Watch a replay of the game. Bama was within a minute of losing the game and were physically outplayed in the 2nd half. You are naive if you think that Saban & Meyer wouldn’t influence an expansion vote.
ghost of UGA VII
June 4th, 2010
2:43 pm
Daught if Tech would want to be in an inferior academic conference, it’s more at home with superior academic schools. I guess the four national championships to the one for Georgia should count for a lot.
So much better where I’m at than in Shreveport! Selah
RDR
June 4th, 2010
2:47 pm
Bama had a mental letdown after dominating the first half. I’ve seen it a hundred + times before, i.e., team gets up big, puts it on cruise control, opponent makes a run, and the next thing you know, you’re in trouble. Bama clearly had the better OVERALL team.
Regarding Nick and Urban, I’m sure there are 12 school Presidents who would probably chuckle at the two coaches if they were to “have a fit.” If the Presidents want it to happen, it will happen. Coaches will have ZERO impact on the decision.
Anti-alternative
June 4th, 2010
2:47 pm
Flo, just for clarification, GT is a bigger school than Clemson by enrollment. I know you mean the fanbase is smaller, but GT isn’t as small a school as people think it is. Larger than about four or five current SEC schools, actually. The fanbase and stadium could easily build over time. More exposure tends to bring more fans even without wins (how else do you explain MSU having that many fans?)…GT is worth more to a conference than some people here seem to think. Think of the SEC trying to raise its academic profile (something it’s doing pretty well as UGA, UF, Auburn and Bama start to climb the academic rankings). Taking FSU and Clemson wouldn’t add much there, but adding GT or one of the North Carolina schools does. And GT would also bring the SEC another decent basketball and baseball school to add to the growing heat in those areas. GT fans still consider it very much a football school first, and culturally, Tech is still largely a Southern school. I don’t think it’s so “out there” for GT to gain readmission to the conference they helped build.
Lane Kiffin's Bottom Bitch
June 4th, 2010
2:49 pm
Fillin’ up @ Juniors. I don’t mean to speak ill of Clemson’s program. The SEC needs to be concerned with TV subscriptions and eyeballs watching the TV screen. So we don’t need Clemson as we already have a major school in South Carolina. What we do need is to expand into the west. This mean the state of Texas and possibly Oklahoma and/or Missouri.
RDR
June 4th, 2010
2:49 pm
Anti-alternative
June 4th, 2010
2:47 pm
Keep dreaming!
Otto
June 4th, 2010
2:50 pm
RDR, My apologies that was to BD.
Juniors Yes I do not see it as more risky than VT. Who is to say VT remains good with Beamer out of the picture? They do not have a long history on the national stage.
USF has a talent base and would close out the major Florida schools taking TV markets with it. USF is also the 2nd or maybe 3rd biggest school in Florida in term of student body. It also gives the ACC/Big East little chance of making a big splash in Florida.
VT is a big question mark as to what it would take to get them out of the ACC. I don’t see the NC schools leaving, they are the core of the ACC.
Boston College would also be an interesting marriage. The Boston TV market would be big. But, would they ever take to the SEC? IMO they are perfect for the Big10.
Anti-alternative
June 4th, 2010
2:50 pm
RDR, call me a dreamer all day long, but everything I said is fact.
Anti-alternative
June 4th, 2010
2:53 pm
Otto, as to VT not having long on the national stage – to be fair, isn’t that the story with Florida and FSU before it? I think wins bring money, money brings coaches, and coaches bring wins.
Fillin' up @ Juniors
June 4th, 2010
2:53 pm
“It would take schools with a big fan base and lots of $$$$ for the SEC to consider them. Tech is to small – maybe in the ACC, Clemson, Fla State, Miami and Va. Tech would be considered.”
Clemson is solid pick, but Florida is only going to let one of those two florida schools in the door, and it ain’t miami…VT your going to have a hard time prying them off their NC and VA rivals. So then what? You have two teams you need 16 to keep pace. I don’t see an SEC offer going to any Big 12 team because the ones that make geographic sense won’t be accepting an offer that makes them minimumly competitive, as would happen if they are paired with LSU, UA, Arkansas + UT and OU?… Seriously someone is going to become the bottom feeder and loose more than they will gain, and you better bet every school is afraid of that. So two slots…You are telling me that GT is too small? but every game due to location is going to be sold out, there is already built in rivalries, and plenty of tradition. It also makes Georgia totally a SEC recruiting hot bed and ends the ACC’s ability to get into the ATL marketplace…
If you believe the SEC is the king and can do what they wish you haven’t been reading around. The Big Ten brings in more money via TV, the PAC-16 situation would create a conference from washington to Texas, and the Big 10/12/14/16 could demand even more money then ever. The SEC is already a reactive player, in the end they will do what they can but your dream situation of UT and OU is about as possible as my baby being dressed up in UGA clothing (never ever going to happen). So dream away but I am just saying its not likly so you need to probably take some more practical approaches…
New Gator Fan
June 4th, 2010
2:57 pm
Hurry up and get your gear before it’s sold out! http://broncogator.com/
SILLY UGA FANS
June 4th, 2010
2:57 pm
I love all the hate UGA fans love to give GT, and did one of you actually type blue and gold? Why would GT not be a good fit for the SEC? I will admit that our stadium is rarely filled due to so many foriegn students that don’t even know what a football is, but just in case you are unaware there are other college sports besides football and some of the teams we play don’t really help ie Duke and NC State fans don’t travel well. GT was also on a downward spiral that killed it’s newer fanbase, but that is on the way back up. Could it be that some of you fear GT getting into the SEC and getting some of those recruits that want to play in the SEC due to TV time? Whatever it is I find it really funny how worried you are about the chance of GT getting in if expansion was to occur and all the reasons you give for why they should not.
For the poster that said he does not understand why GT fans come on here I invite you to read any GT blog and see how many UGA fans spew their hate on there each time. In response to the GT vs UGA SEC titles I think it was plain to see he meant when GT was in the SEC, I mean seriously how could you really think he meant more all time when GT has been out for 40+ years.
Fillin' up @ Juniors
June 4th, 2010
3:04 pm
Otto,
I see a pittsburgh or USF going ACC if the SEC raids the SEC. I agree that USF has a huge upside, the ability to expand and become something, but is a risky play, interesting though as I think UF would go along with it… VT was built by beamer but I will tell you, I have been to blacksburg and there is infrastructure, they will be solid for a long time…I think if the SEC has to raid the ACC the ACC moves north, Uconn, pitts, syrcuse…Boston will fit in more than ever. Plus boston is an atypical northern town, Pro sports first, college teams second. That isn’t the ACC or SEC formulas…I love BC but it would be the odd duck of the party in the SEC. However you got me thinking outside the box…If the SEC can take an NC State, wake, or UNC they could have an inroads into the NC area which is expansion. Imagine if while wake plays BC or duke, if NC state were playing Alabama! or UGA! Recruits would be sexed up by that…NC and VA are decent areas of recruitment…no florida, texas, ga, cali but a decent second tier area…thats a hell of a play…
Otto
June 4th, 2010
3:05 pm
The Big10 does bring in more with their TV deal. The SEC makes up much of that on donationss, more tickets sold, and other things.
Anti, USF would also have the money and most likely a stronger talent base. FSU and Miami have been powers since the early 80s. VT came of age in the mid 90s and has not managed to capitalize lately. IMO USF is an underrated choice with alot of upside.
GT is a solid choice but is behind the Florida Schools and VT. GT or Clemson? that is a hard question.
Gratefuldawghead
June 4th, 2010
3:05 pm
Leave the SEC the way it is! Tech Left the SEC so it shouldn’t be rewarded with an invite to the greatest confrence ever! Tech would bring down the SEC’s Bowl record and Hot Southern girl percentage…hahahahahaha
Anti-alternative
June 4th, 2010
3:06 pm
“our stadium is rarely filled due to so many foriegn students that don’t even know what a football is”
That’s not the problem, friend. The student section is ALWAYS full…and Tech expanded that section last season. The students LOVE football! The alumni section is the problem at most games. They buy the season tickets for one or two landmark games (Clemson, Miami or UGA) and do not come for most ACC matchups unless Tech is ranked highly.
If I were Dan Radakovich, I’d be selling GT’s case for the SEC hard! That’s the only way the fanbase grows. Period.
Otto
June 4th, 2010
3:06 pm
Juniors, USF going to the ACC? That is part of why I want USF. USF in the ACC would give the ACC a ticket too Florida TV and talent.
RDR
June 4th, 2010
3:07 pm
SILLY UGA FANS
June 4th, 2010
2:57 pm
Why would GT not be a good fit for the SEC?
1. Extremely poor fan support,
2. Mickey mouse facilities,
3. A financial sponge to the other revenue producing schools that tv deals are driven by,
4. That silly fight song about a ramblin wreck,
5. Not enough pretty girls enrolled in school (the rented cheerleaders and dance girls do not count)
Did I miss anything??
Otto
June 4th, 2010
3:09 pm
Anti, Agreed the Student are not the prob. Alums that move away for jobs or show up to big games are the problem.
If GT moved to the SEC and competes, GT could be a player with Alumni support.
Clemson has both at this point.
Otto
June 4th, 2010
3:16 pm
Juniors agreed, NC/Va is most likely 4th in talent behind the areas I listed.
NC St. would be the most likely to move alone but I don’t think even they leave without the other 3. 4 NC schools is not worth the price paid. 3 FL schols with USF gets a larger return.
MD, FSU, VT, and Va. are a maybe. They bring the Potomac/Chesapeake Bay TV market with Baltimore, DC etc.
RDR
June 4th, 2010
3:16 pm
Oh yeah, how could I forget…………..
6. SEC schools are required to run a college offense. pee jay’s little hs o would not qualify.