A&M to SEC...

[Tiger Wench]

i think that would SUCK, since they would be added to the West, and that is a long way for Auburn to travel for a conf game.  Although, on the other hand, that would mean I would have an Auburn game within driving distance every other year...

A&M to Pac-10? Not so fast...
In a hotel meeting room in Scottsdale, Ariz., in April, SEC commissioner Mike Slive essentially promised that if the tectonic plates beneath the college sports' landscape began to shift, Slive's league would not sit on the sidelines.

It won't.

A source confirmed to SI.com late Wednesday that emissaries from the SEC initiated discussions with Texas A&M athletic director Bill Byrne months ago, and while the SEC is just one of several potential options for the Aggies, it remains an option heading into Thursday's meeting between Texas A&M and Texas officials. At the meeting, power brokers from both schools will discuss a last-ditch effort to save the Big 12, even if Nebraska's Board of Regents votes Friday to leave for the Big Ten. "It's on life support," the source said of the Big 12. "But people have come off life support before."

Officials also will discuss a potential invitation from the Pac-10 that also would include four other Big 12 schools. Presumably, they also will discuss the SEC's talks with Texas A&M.

What is unclear, however, is which other school or schools the SEC might also be interested in to keep an even number should it decide to expand. Last week, the league split a record $209 million among its 12 member schools. Slive has been tight-lipped in public concerning expansion, and he drew giggles last week during a press briefing following the league's spring meetings when he said this: "We have maximum flexibility in how we approach this issue ranging anywhere from nothing to something."

That narrows it down.

An SEC spokesman didn't return a phone call, an e-mail or a text message Wednesday night, and Slive declined last Friday to answer whether he or a representative of the league had contacted any schools about potential expansion. Late Wednesday, Texas A&M athletic department spokesman Alan Cannon said President Bowen Loftin is the only Texas A&M official authorized to speak about expansion. Still, it seems the SEC has been up to more something than nothing.

Slive didn't take the SEC to the top of the college sports world by doing nothing. It was his league's two 15-year contracts with ESPN and CBS (totaling more than $3 billion) that convinced the other leagues they needed to ramp up their revenue. Those contracts give the SEC security. It can still thrive as a 12-team league even if the Big Ten and Pac-10 supersize to 16, but a component of Slive's success is his ability to read the tea leaves. After years in the new landscape, would the SEC be positioned to command a plum deal when next it sits at the negotiating table?

Another executive we may have underestimated in this shuffle is Texas A&M's Byrne. Byrne said last week that the best move for Texas A&M is staying in the Big 12. His Texas counterpart, DeLoss Dodds, has said the same goes for the Longhorns. But even if Byrne joins the Austin contingent in saving the Big 12 or departing for the Pac-10, by making the Aggies an attractive candidate for the SEC, Byrne has altered the power dynamic in the Lone Star State. Texas, the nation's most lucrative athletic department, still holds most of the cards, but it isn't Dodds and the five dwarves. Texas A&M is a player in this.

It should be. According to data from the U.S. Department of Education, in the 2008-09 school year, Texas A&M ranked third in the Big 12 and 22nd in the nation in athletic revenue with $73.4 million. That figure would have placed the Aggies third in the Pac-10, fifth in the proposed Pac-16 and eighth in the big-money SEC.

That number will rise whether the Aggies stick with their Big 12 south brethren in the Pac-16 or strike out on their own in the SEC. Schools such as Miami, Florida State, Georgia Tech and Clemson have been tossed out as possible SEC targets. Those schools don't make sense, because the SEC already has a stranglehold on the markets they would deliver.

Texas is an untapped television market for the league, which already enjoys national distribution, but could make more money by guaranteeing more viewers. Though the Aggies wouldn't bring as many eyeballs as the Longhorns, significant chunks of viewers in Dallas (the nation's fifth largest television market), Houston (No. 10) and San Antonio (No. 37) would tune in to watch them. How many top-37 markets are currently in the SEC footprint? Just six. If the SEC does decide to expand, the change in membership number would trigger a clause that would allow the league to renegotiate its TV deals. Adding those markets, plus the markets of any other new member, would allow the league to command a higher price.

Texas A&M also is a member of the Association of American Universities. Only two SEC schools (Florida and Vanderbilt) are members. Plus, Texas A&M has grown from about 25,000 students in 1976 to about 47,000 now. That means more alumni than ever are about to enter their prime giving years.

Whether a move to the SEC would benefit Texas A&M's football team is questionable. The Aggies almost certainly would wind up in the SEC west with former Southwest Conference rival Arkansas. They'd probably have to play Alabama, Auburn and LSU every season. That's tough for any program. Still, the league would allow the Aggies to offer an interesting alternative to Lone Star State recruits enthralled by the SEC schools they grew up watching on television.

Such practical discussions are probably better left for another day. Byrne and Texas A&M president Loftin have options to examine. Do they help save the Big 12 by bringing new blood into the fold? Do they split from the Big 12 but stay with their in-state rivals? Do they split from their fellow Texas schools and put in jeopardy rivalries that date back decades?

If they choose the SEC -- and the SEC subsequently agreed to choose them -- entry would be simple. Texas A&M would need approval from nine of the 12 SEC presidents. It also would have to pay $50 in annual membership dues.

Judging by its recent revenue figures, A&M can handle the fee. But does it need to bolt or remain with its Lone Star brethren? The answer isn't clear.

Still, in uncertain times, it's nice to have options.

[Snaggletiger]

I just don't understand the need to go into Texas for anything other than Texas itself.  Love em' or hate em' the Horns have a huge fanbase and the addition would bring serious TV revenue to whatever conference gets them.  However, I'm still all ablout keeping any expansion regional to a degree and I don't see how the SEC could go wrong with any teams from a list like this:

FSU
GT
Clemson
VT
Miami
WVU
Louisville
Bowling Green....wait, what?

Personally, I would love, love, love to see the Noles join the SEC.  The built in rivalries already with Florida and Auburn would be incredible.  On any given Saturday, I'd kick back to watch FSU play Georgia or Bama or UT.  I also think joining the SEC kicks their recruiting back into high gear. 

[dallaswareagle]

Screws them more than most SEC teams, Their travel games would be a bitch. Especially back to back travel games.

I'm with you, one more game I get to see in person. And within driving distance.

Fuck it, Let's take SMU-  Every other year party at my house.

[War Eagle!!!]

Screws them more than most SEC teams, Their travel games would be a bitch. Especially back to back travel games.

I'm with you, one more game I get to see in person. And within driving distance.

Fuck it, Let's take SMU-  Every other year party at my house.

I am in Fort Worth, and I could come every weekend if that is the scenery...

[JR4AU]

I just don't understand the need to go into Texas for anything other than Texas itself.  Love em' or hate em' the Horns have a huge fanbase and the addition would bring serious TV revenue to whatever conference gets them.  However, I'm still all ablout keeping any expansion regional to a degree and I don't see how the SEC could go wrong with any teams from a list like this:

FSU
GT
Clemson
VT
Miami
WVU
Louisville
Bowling Green....wait, what?

Personally, I would love, love, love to see the Noles join the SEC.  The built in rivalries already with Florida and Auburn would be incredible.  On any given Saturday, I'd kick back to watch FSU play Georgia or Bama or UT.  I also think joining the SEC kicks their recruiting back into high gear. 

I think if I've heard right, the TX legislature says that certain TX teams must remain within the same Conf.  Baylor and TX Tech are a package deal with TX, and TA&M.  Feel free to correct me if I'm off.  I don't think TX would go to Conf. without TA&M regardless, and vice versa.

[dallaswareagle]

I am in Fort Worth, and I could come every weekend if that is the scenery...

Just got to bring your own   (Those Margarita’s look nice don’t they)

What part of Ft. worth?  I live in Rowlett-Work (scan message baord) in Plano.

[boartitz]

Evidently them big bad ass Texans want no part of the SEC. I didn't want them anyhow.
http://www.kctv5.com/sports/23860558/detail.html

I also put this link in another thread.

[GH2001]

Evidently them big bad ass Texans want no part of the SEC. I didn't want them anyhow.
http://www.kctv5.com/sports/23860558/detail.html

I also put this link in another thread.

Fine by me. We dont need their Austin arrogance.  So - how does Oklahoma, FSU, Va Tech and UNC sound?

[RWS]

Fine by me. We dont need their Austin arrogance.  So - how does Oklahoma, FSU, Va Tech and UNC sound?

FSU and Va Tech would be my top 2 votes. It would be hell for a conference schedule (mainly because of Va Tech), but would make the conference look stronger overall.

[Snaggletiger]

Bringing VT and NC into this conference would add the two butt ugliest uniforms in college football.

[AUChizad]

Bringing VT and NC into this conference would add the two butt ugliest uniforms in college football.

I didn't hear Oregon anywhere in there...

[AuburnChopper 3.0]

My official guess...

Oklahoma / Texas A&M Join the Western Division of the SEC

+

Florida State / Virginia Tech Join the Eastern Division of the SEC


Clemson could, but I think that North Carolina is ultimately a basketball school, and the folks in the ACC will guard that gem of a rivalry till the death of them.

JMO...

[chinook]

I didn't hear Oregon anywhere in there...

new u of o unis...

[ssgaufan]

I hate watching aTm play football.  They play a boring game like most Big Televen teams do.

I think they should invite Texas Tech!

[GH2001]

I hate watching aTm play football.  They play a boring game like most Big Televen teams do.

I think they should invite Texas Tech!

They were in the top 3 offensively in every category in the Big 12 last year. They were pretty fun to watch in the Texas game. Almost beat em. Texas Tech - they will be 3 yds and a cloud of dust now with Wingnut there if gets his way.

[djsimp]

I hate watching aTm play football.  They play a boring game like most Big Televen teams do.

I think they should invite Texas Tech!

You need Tubbs approval.

[JR4AU]

FWIW...http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Headlinin-Aggies-keep-an-ear-toward-the-SEC?urn=ncaaf,247605

Fri Jun 11, 2010 8:03 am EDT

Headlinin': Aggies keep an ear toward the SEC
By Matt Hinton

Making the morning rounds.

• We do not always do everything together. Because no remotely plausible expansion scenario can go unexplored, speculation exploded Wednesday that Texas A&M is considering a move to the SEC rather than its expected embarkment for the Pac-10, complete with the requisite political intrigue as Texas moves to shore up its own move to the Pac-10 following Nebraska's defection to the Big Ten later today. Pushing hardest for the Aggies to move east is former A&M player/coach and current regent Gene Stallings, who has SEC ties from his championship stint at Alabama and may have an ally in Texas governor Rick Perry, an enthusiastic A&M alum. (Though word in Austin is that Perry is keeping his distance.)

SEC types are naturally salivating over the prospect of luring Texas into the fold, with the Aggies as a palatable compromise. But conventional wisdom still contends the Longhorns are bound for the Pac-10 with or without their comrades in College Station, which ultimately means A&M will be following its most valued rival west – good luck ever scheduling anyone from the current Big 12 South in anything for the foreseeable future if it doesn't – but not before milking attention from other suitors for all it's worth. (And if there happens to be an open spot in the Pac-10, you know, Baylor is available...) [Dallas Morning News, Orangebloods.com]

• Everyone dreams of being in this smoking crater. By all accounts, USC was crushed Thursday by the harshest sanctions the NCAA has meted out in more than 30 years. But athletic director Mike Garrett, as usual, had a somewhat different perspective for a group of Trojan boosters:

"As I read the decision by the NCAA," he told the group, "...I read between the lines and there was nothing but a lot of envy. They wish they all were Trojans." ... Later, he added: "Today I got a purpose for really wanting to dominate for another 10 years."

That moment of oblivious self-aggrandizement was delivered shortly after Garrett brusquely ignored reporters' questions about the sanctions, which went over about as well as you'd expect. Veteran players must decide if they really wish to be Trojans under the two-year bowl ban when penalty-free transfers are available for juniors and seniors. [Los Angeles Times]


• I'll go, but sorry: No refunds. Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins will retire on Sept. 4, 2011, an extended wind-down from what must be the worst six months of his career: Since last September, Perkins has had to respond to inter-squad fights between the football and basketball teams, a quasi-scandal that ended with the termination of a successful football coach, criticism of his "hideous" salary, a multimillion-dollar ticket-scalping scandal involving athletic department employees, personal blackmail by a former employee and, by all appearances, the end of Kansas' run as a member of a BCS conference. At least he won't have to scrimp on the Early Bird Special in his golden years. [Lawrence Journal-World]

- - -
Matt Hinton is on Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.

[GH2001]

• Everyone dreams of being in this smoking crater. By all accounts, USC was crushed Thursday by the harshest sanctions the NCAA has meted out in more than 30 years. But athletic director Mike Garrett, as usual, had a somewhat different perspective for a group of Trojan boosters:

"As I read the decision by the NCAA," he told the group, "...I read between the lines and there was nothing but a lot of envy. They wish they all were Trojans." ... Later, he added: "Today I got a purpose for really wanting to dominate for another 10 years."

That moment of oblivious self-aggrandizement was delivered shortly after Garrett brusquely ignored reporters' questions about the sanctions, which went over about as well as you'd expect. Veteran players must decide if they really wish to be Trojans under the two-year bowl ban when penalty-free transfers are available for juniors and seniors. [Los Angeles Times]

You gots ta be kiddin me....

[JR4AU]

You gots ta be kiddin me....

Sounds like they borrowed a page from the "Bammer Babble Manual."

[jmar]

Sounds like they borrowed a page from the "Bammer Babble Manual."

They always claim a west coast bias but I blogged on another site over a week ago with USC fans who all made good sense until a Gator got a jab in about their coming penalties. One equated the oil spill in the Gulf as "poetic justice" for that bias, and several others agreed- on a sports blog! One was a career veteran. I responded appropriately but it was then explained to me that the south has held this country back from progressing a 100 years and the "drill baby drill" people get what they deserve.