SEC expansion thoughts

It will 100% be NC and UVA if it's only 2. Markets are much better and make more sense. The challenge will be that the BIG will also be looking at those two schools, so it's not a gimme that they come to the SEC.

Mallou said:

Mike Keith and Brent had a discussion in their show about SEC expansion with both making a great case for adding Virginia and North Carolina. This link discusses adding Florida State and Clemson. What two schools will get those slots when it happens? https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2025/09/04/sec-add-clemson-florida-state-expansion/85958485007/?tbref=hp

Would UNC and Virginia leave Va Tech, Duke, and/or NC State Behind?

Orange_Figjam said:

It will 100% be NC and UVA if it's only 2. Markets are much better and make more sense. The challenge will be that the BIG will also be looking at those two schools, so it's not a gimme that they come to the SEC.

I wonder if UNC and Fla State might not have more combined market than UVA?

FSU and Clemson are the brands to get. They draw a lot more eyeballs than UNC and UVA. Markets are becoming an outdated concept as networks move more towards a streaming model.

FSU and Clemson are the brands to get. They draw a lot more eyeballs than UNC and UVA. Markets are becoming an outdated concept as networks move more towards a streaming model

RDBIPB said:

I wonder if UNC and Fla State might not have more combined market than UVA?

Northern VA market is way more lucrative than the Tallanasty market, which the SEC pretty much already has with its overlap of 3 other teams.

RDBIPB said:

I wonder if UNC and Fla State might not have more combined market than UVA?

No, not close. UVA has the NOVA market, which is massive in comparison to a regional FL market.

Gardyvol said:

FSU and Clemson are the brands to get. They draw a lot more eyeballs than UNC and UVA. Markets are becoming an outdated concept as networks move more towards a streaming model

No they don't. The NC triad market is massive and the DC/NOVA market is much much larger than regional FL market. This is a pretty common misconception but it's just not true. Markets are never outdated.

ut87 said:

Would UNC and Virginia leave Va Tech, Duke, and/or NC State Behind?

Play them as their required OOC power 4 team a la USCjrjr and Clemons and Fla State UF.

Orange_Figjam said:

No they don't. The NC triad market is massive and the DC/NOVA market is much much larger than regional FL market. This is a pretty common misconception but it's just not true. Markets are never outdated.

Markets is very 2010. That's what got us Missouri. In 2025, it's about brands. People will tune in to watch FSU and Clemson. UVA does nothing for viewers.

ut87 said:

Would UNC and Virginia leave Va Tech, Duke, and/or NC State Behind?

I think so….too much money on the table and they lose too much staying in the ACC…. I think the days of holding out for your rival to join the same conference as you are over…..it’s too big of a liability to get left behind…..

Duzen said:

Markets is very 2010. That's what got us Missouri. In 2025, it's about brands. People will tune in to watch FSU and Clemson. UVA does nothing for viewers.

No markets aren't 2010. You want to have your footprint in as many national markets as possible. Hence why it will be UNC and UVA. It's not a coincidence this is already out there, with those two being the top choice. The triad market is dominated currently by ACC schools and taking NC would tilt that, the same with the DC market. Meanwhile, the SEC already has markets and a footprint in both FL and SC. This isn't rocket science. It will 100% be UNC and VA.

I have no idea what the allure of Virginia is. Those saying they'll get the NOVA/DC market are mistaken. UVa alumni here don't care about athletics at all. No one watches UVa here. Athletically they're Vandy.

ut87 said:

Would UNC and Virginia leave Va Tech, Duke, and/or NC State Behind?

I think they would if they want to continue to play most of their games in the SE.

RDBIPB said:

I wonder if UNC and Fla State might not have more combined market than UVA?

No, florida already gives us that market.

Markets aren’t overrated…… Why do you think the B1G gets more money than the SEC??? It ain’t because of the football past the 4th or 5th best teams. It’s because they literally have teams in the 5 biggest markets!

Duzen said:

Markets is very 2010. That's what got us Missouri. In 2025, it's about brands. People will tune in to watch FSU and Clemson. UVA does nothing for viewers.

Not a terrible retort. I never understood the Missouri decision. St Louis & Kansas City? They don't give a da.mn about college sports in St Louis or Kansas City.

I think it would be UNC for sure and imo Clemson would be the other if it was 2. If it is 4 I’d say UNC,Clemson,Virginia,FSU.

I'd like to expand, but also stay at 16. Easier for scheduling purposes. So add UNC, UVa, FSU, And Clemson. Contract SC, MSU, Mizzou, and Arky. I would say Vandy, but Nashville is a fun trip, game aside. There's no point in being doubled up in small states like SC and MS, and Mizzou and Arky have just never been a fit, IMO.

Gardyvol said:

FSU and Clemson are the brands to get. They draw a lot more eyeballs than UNC and UVA. Markets are becoming an outdated concept as networks move more towards a streaming model.

On the same thought process, the idea of markets in college sports is dead….there’s been numerous podcasts that have touched on the concept with TV executives….all any TV executive talks about anymore is “brand” recognition, I.e. which teams drive TV ratings….in 2024, Clemson was 24th, FSU was 25th, NC was 75th, and UVA was 82nd…..UT was 7th for comparison sake….. I think the issue with FSU and Clemson is going to be more with uSC and UF…….UNC and UVA also have more to offer on the BB side of the house, acknowledging that this is a much lower revenue stream than CF…..

Orange_Figjam said:

No markets aren't 2010. You want to have your footprint in as many national markets as possible. Hence why it will be UNC and UVA. It's not a coincidence this is already out there, with those two being the top choice. The triad market is dominated currently by ACC schools and taking NC would tilt that, the same with the DC market. Meanwhile, the SEC already has markets and a footprint in both FL and SC. This isn't rocket science. It will 100% be UNC and VA.

I disagree, and that's ok. Check out the viewerships of UNC or UVA games and Clemson or FSU games. That's what drives revenue and TV contracts. UNC would help with basketball. Clemson and FSU have higher viewerships in every other sport.

Gardyvol said:

FSU and Clemson are the brands to get. They draw a lot more eyeballs than UNC and UVA. Markets are becoming an outdated concept as networks move more towards a streaming model.

The SEC wants another basketball Blueblood in NC as well as growing there footprint into UNC and UVA. They don't more football powers.

Cecil_Cherry said:

The SEC wants another basketball Blueblood in NC as well as growing there footprint into UNC and UVA. They don't more football powers.

UVa is a power in neither right now. Again, they're Vandy in a different uniform.

CashVol6 said:

Markets aren’t overrated…… Why do you think the B1G gets more money than the SEC??? It ain’t because of the football past the 4th or 5th best teams. It’s because they literally have teams in the 5 biggest markets!

Texas markets aren't in the top 5?