After it was reported as all but fact Saturday night, it seems that Texas A&M won't be joining the SEC in 2012 after all.
I've got to admit, I think that's a good thing.
In the long run, I fully believe that the SEC will expand but that it will be for financial reasons. Bringing in more TV markets increases its ability to negotiate for a larger TV contract and it will expand the recruiting base for schools in those areas. Bringing in a school from Texas will probably happen at some point--whether or not it's A&M remains to be seen.
But, I do like that the SEC seems to be willing to sit back and think through the decision and not just rush into something. As I asked Saturday, if you bring in A&M, what is the next team you bring in to even out the number. I've heard rumors of FSU, Clemson and Missouri. There was also discussion of Georgia Tech and maybe a school in Virginia.
I think the SEC is wise to step back and consider who to bring in. I've heard that it doesn't want to bring in any teams already in the SEC footprint. This is why I figure the decision on who gets an invite would be a financial one and not one based on rivalry and the tradition of the league. I'd hope someone involved in this decision would bring that up at some point, but it seems less and less likely to happen.
Labels: football
posted by Michael Hickerson at 8/15/2011 09:30:00 AM |
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