Teams joining the SEC will be treated the exact same as current members when it comes to TV money from ESPN.
According to Clay Travis, the conference’s contract with ESPN gives SEC commissioner Greg Sankey “the ability to pay the new teams the same amount of money, pro rata, that his 14 current teams were already guaranteed.” (RELATED: David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football)
Texas And Oklahoma Joining The SEC Is Reportedly Taking Another Step Forward. Here’s What Fans Need To Know https://t.co/M9Qo8Pofub
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) July 27, 2021
Specifically, the contract deals with elite, grade-A teams. Travis pointed out that by bringing in Oklahoma, the door has now been opened to a ton of programs to be defined as elite enough to get the full rate from ESPN.
That means the SEC can more or less go hunting around the country for the likes of Clemson, Florida State, USC, Oregon, Wisconsin, Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan and a handful of other teams.
Oklahoma and Texas joining the SEC is almost a done deal, but nearly 60% of people are against it happening.@dhookstead explains whether or not it’s good for the sport of college football. pic.twitter.com/A4Qwe7GmSZ
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) July 26, 2021
Knowing there’s a huge payday waiting for them in the SEC, more elite teams might be interested in jumping ship.
Now, we know that Ohio State and Michigan are both not leaving the Big Ten, according to Dan Wetzel, but that doesn’t mean the SEC won’t look elsewhere.
As discussed on Podcast, hearing little to no interest in expansion from Big 10 sources. No need to make a move. There is talk of a scheduling agreement with Pac 12 (rotation of non-con games). No, Ohio State/Michigan aren’t leaving.
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) July 26, 2021
If they can really get every team a massive cut of the pie, then there’s no reason to not target programs you think will listen.
As I’ve said before, war still remains an option on the table if the SEC comes for the B1G, but let’s hope that’s a bridge we never cross.
If the SEC steals one Big Ten team, I will personally lead a second civil war to burn Tuscaloosa and the rest of the SEC to the ground.*
I fought one war to save football, and I’ll do it again if necessary.
*Doesn’t apply to Rutgers https://t.co/Np873yyqxG
— David Hookstead (@dhookstead) July 27, 2021
In the meantime, I have a feeling the SEC’s hunting days aren’t over just yet.