With the additions of Oklahoma and Texas, college football could be becoming the SEC vs. the world. That may become a reality, with the recent report that the ACC, Big Ten, and Pac-12 are in discussions about a potential conference “alliance.”
Commissioners George Kliavkoff (Pac-12), Kevin Warren (Big Ten) and Jim Phillips (ACC) have been in regular communication, and have also had some in-person discussions,” ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg wrote. “Kliavkoff and Warren were together this week for Rose Bowl meetings. Pac-12 sources said all three commissioners met last week in Chicago.”
The details are not clear about what this would mean, but most figure we could see some big-money non-conference matchups to drive more revenue. With the SEC’s upcoming media rights negotiations, and the addition of two of the sport’s biggest programs, they’re set to jump to a ridiculous level of revenue per team. The other leagues understandably want to keep pace, and the fact that those schools would comprise 41 votes on major matters in the sport vs. the 16 SEC members is significant.
It doesn’t sound like the SEC is overly concerned though. “We’ll play each other, they’ll play each other. Who wins and loses there?” one SEC athletic director told Matt Hayes.
While the SEC would have plenty of really attractive games, the best of the ACC, Big Ten, and Pac-12 could make for some really cool games every year between them.
This also presents some concerns about other non-conference games involving SEC teams. It would be a real shame if the sport fractures to the point where we don’t see great games between these two sides before the College Football Playoff.
Commissioners George Kliavkoff (Pac-12), Kevin Warren (Big Ten) and Jim Phillips (ACC) have been in regular communication, and have also had some in-person discussions,” ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg wrote. “Kliavkoff and Warren were together this week for Rose Bowl meetings. Pac-12 sources said all three commissioners met last week in Chicago.”
The details are not clear about what this would mean, but most figure we could see some big-money non-conference matchups to drive more revenue. With the SEC’s upcoming media rights negotiations, and the addition of two of the sport’s biggest programs, they’re set to jump to a ridiculous level of revenue per team. The other leagues understandably want to keep pace, and the fact that those schools would comprise 41 votes on major matters in the sport vs. the 16 SEC members is significant.
It doesn’t sound like the SEC is overly concerned though. “We’ll play each other, they’ll play each other. Who wins and loses there?” one SEC athletic director told Matt Hayes.
While the SEC would have plenty of really attractive games, the best of the ACC, Big Ten, and Pac-12 could make for some really cool games every year between them.
This also presents some concerns about other non-conference games involving SEC teams. It would be a real shame if the sport fractures to the point where we don’t see great games between these two sides before the College Football Playoff.
. Did a TVZ and googled Blue Blood football programs. Clicked onto LWOS Top 25 College Football Blue Bloods by Jason Rhea. Texas came in at #7 behind:
