Palmetto Proving Grounds

Here's an article about the problems with the Longhorn Network, ESPN says that they are "concerned but committed", that's Hollywood talk for we want out of this turkey deal.

I don't either, but if they were to join they wouldn't be the tail that wags the dog in the SEC like they are in the Big12, the powerhouse programs of the SEC wouldn't stand for it.

And this confernce realignment biz isn't driven by fans wants and desires, it's all about the TV money. And the Big10 has really upped the ante with their willingness to bribe other programs away from their long time conference homes. The ACC may have started this war, but the Big10 is winning it. The SEC is sort of like the US was in 1939 watching the Europeans get into another war (the ACC is playing POLAND to the Big10's Germany in this scenario ;) ) and is nice and comfortable in their own little hemisphere, but there are storm clouds on the horizion if predator conferences are giving out fat bribes to carve up the TV landscape.

Really? And you KNOW that how???

In January 2012 what would you have given the chances on Maryland joining the Big10?

How about the rumors that have surfaced about North Carolina to either the Big10 or SEC, something as "unthinkable" as Texas to the SEC imo, for mostly the same reasons, the Tar Holes are in a conference they own in all but name, the same as Texas, but the Cash Wheel of TV dollars doesn't really care, everyone is looking to grab as much as they can and just as important, not to be eliminated from the contest.

If you want to make a Tater fan hyperventilate tell them that the ACC is doomed and the Big12 doesn't really want Clemson, but maybe they can join the Big East or the MAC.

Only the SEC, Big10 and PAC12 have very strong hands in this war, the PAC12 by geography as much as anything. The Big10 has solidified their conference with the latest moves. The SEC and Big12 teaming up with the new bowl was a defensive move by the SEC in order to try to stop this TV market war being waged by the Big10. If the Big10 makes some more moves, especially in the South then expect to see a move with the SEC and Big12.

Does Texas "want" to join the SEC, probably not, that doesn't mean that it won't happen.

It is not going to happen. Just like Clemson is not coming to the SEC. A&M will block Texas, and if they have not joined the alliance that includes UF, UGa, USC amongst others blocking rivals they will be soon.

There is a reason why the SEC would have little to gain from Texas, those TV dollars you are talking about. We already have the Texas/Oklahoma market with A&M. Adding Texas would not enhance that by much, if at all.

Why will GT never be invited back? Because UGa already has the Atlanta market. Why will FSU never be invited? Because UF has the Florida market.

You are right, this is about TV dollars. Adding Texas doesn't expand our footprint. Adding VaTech and NCSt does expand our footprint. Not to say Texas will never EVER join. But they will not be a part of this next round of the SEC getting to 16 teams.

I have a question about the whole "___________ team will block ____________ team". It was my understanding that you need a majority vote in the SEC. I thought us, UGA, UF, etc, were able to block the other in-state teams b/c all of us voting one way made a majority vote unreachable. With the addition of these 2 new teams, did we not lose our majority?

I read those articles 14 months ago, nice stuff, but a bit simplistic. First it assumes that there will be a high rate of adoption by both cable and satellite. As you can see from the recent ESPN comments that hasn't worked for Texas IN Texas with the Longhorn Network. The fact of the matter is that the cable/satellite guys don't want 100 different sports channels (each with their own fee) and that's why the Longhorn Network is failing. Now give them one channel/brand which promises the most demanded college football in their major footprints and they are more than willing.

And for those that might not remember the Big10 has courted Texas to join their conference (as did the Pac 12) in recent years, just because those overtures aren't on the front of the rumor mill doesn't mean that there isn't still interest out there.

If the Big10 goes after and gets Texas, Ok. & Ok. St. then the Big10 Network will be preeminent in that new frontier the SEC hoped to expand into for their TV market and all those projections from Jan. 2012 article will be meaningless.

And the Big10 has shown that they are very aggressive in both providing front money as a "travel subsidy" and with their spreadsheets showing the projected growth and revenues of the Big10 Network in prying away hot TV properties. And I think the SEC's recent success might even be a handicap in these conference realignment battles. Both Texas and Oklahoma are used to being in the national championship spotlight, the SEC eclipse over the rest of the traditional powers may help the Big10 land these programs, IF they do decide to go after them.

Like I said, this up to $30 million BRIBE to Maryland (and it is a bribe since no one else is getting pocket change for travel), is another salvo in the conference realignment wars. I hope the powers that be at the SEC aren't as sanguine as some of the posters on this board about the threat from the Big10.

Seems like a good biz deal to me. Bribe seems a bit harsh...more of a signing bonus iyam. Just a public one. Maryland is a more attractive recruit/employee than Rutgers, and they have financial needs to address that precluded them from leaving (which they wanted to do obviously). So they got a signing bonus and Rutgers didn't. It's business.

Agree, but we're not modeling our payment/adoption model after the Longhorn network, it will be much more similar to that of the Big 10, which you are hailing as a cash cow(and it is). The Longhorn Network/ Big 12 have been unsuccessful for numerous reasons, lopsided revenue sharing, subpar competition, and lack of a conference championship have killed the conferences interest and moral. The SEC and its new network will be (and already is) fundamentally different than the Big 12 so that's not a fair comparison. Every state and cable provider in the south will demand the network, you have to realize that. College football surpassed MLB as the second most watched sport in America this year. For Time Warner/Comcast to not provide it in the south would be absolute blasphemy. You'd see pitchforks and torches in the streets haha..

Pretty sure A&M would join the alliance and thus keep the majority.

The President's of each school approve new members. NOT SLIVE. So yes the very public alliance does exist and they will block rivals for obvious reasons.

But you are right, GT adds nothing, nor does FSU or Clemson. But to think USC is not actively campaigning against Clemson, and UGa and UF against their rivals, is being naive at best.

Edit: Also I am not sure if you have read the whole thread yet, but I clearly said above the reason the SEC does not want Clemson and other rivals mentioned is because they do not add TV revenue. Just as Texas wouldn't(my primary reason for posting in this thread). So not sure why you think you are explaining anything to me.

I can see you are new to the board. My recommendation would be to read every post in the thread before commenting.