Comments on: Part Two: The SEC’s Talent Pool Is Only Getting Deeper

By: Homepage | MrSEC

Homepage | MrSEC — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:21:57 +0000

[...] that reason, we think Cincinnati is a much more likely fallback option for the Big 12. As we showed here, the Big 12 is currently a five-state league that produces very few NFL-caliber players from within [...]

By: Homepage | MrSEC

Homepage | MrSEC — Fri, 04 May 2012 15:19:22 +0000

[...] the current discussions on a new postseason playoff format as well as the Big 12′s own cloudy future are helping to feed the messageboard chatter, but we’re not so sure at least some — [...]

By: Homepage | MrSEC

Homepage | MrSEC — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:22:02 +0000

[...] Ditto the Big Ten. Those leagues — like it/don’t like it, fair/not fair — do not look to be on even footing with the SEC or even the ACC or Pac-12 moving forward thanks to their current footprints and the migration patterns of the modern American citizen. The [...]

By: OldArmy

OldArmy — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:16:48 +0000

One other impact of the population trends is the value, long term, of the marketability and profitability of the SEC in television contracts. Some analysts estimate the value to the SEC, over and above the existing fair market value, of its two most recent additions to its next ten year contract for television rights is over 115 million dollars A YEAR. Hmmmm. So much for Southerners not being able to do math……..

By: SEC’s Talent Pool Is Only Getting Deeper : BamaFootball4Life

SEC’s Talent Pool Is Only Getting Deeper : BamaFootball4Life — Tue, 01 May 2012 19:03:42 +0000

[...] NFL draft history plus the current migration patterns of modern Americans suggest that the SEC will continue to dominate in terms of football talent produced for years to come. As noted above, there will be blips on the radar from time to time, but the numbers and trends should make it rather clear to any objective observer that the Southeastern Conference — followed by the ACC and the Pac-12 — appear to be in good shape moving forward. The Big Ten, on the other hand, appears to have to some work to do if it wants to dominate football as it did for much of the 20th century. The Big 12? Well, the word “doomed” comes to mind… [More] [...]

By: Skrunken head

Skrunken head — Tue, 01 May 2012 03:07:27 +0000

“The Big 12? Well, the word “doomed” comes to mind… unless there’s some serious outward expansion either to the West or South.”

So true. Suck it, Texass!

By: Homepage | MrSEC

Homepage | MrSEC — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:18:57 +0000

[...] today, we showed you how the SEC continues to dominate the NFL draft. Then we showed you why you can expect that trend to continue — and even grow — in the future. Now we look specifically at the 14 SEC member institutions to see which programs have been [...]

By: boone8466

boone8466 — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:20:00 +0000

@MrSEC

By: JRsec

JRsec — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:10:30 +0000

I’ll have no problem with SEC expansion into North Carolina or Virginia. The move makes plenty of sense on a variety of levels. I also believe that if the situation ever presented itself it would make sense to take an Oklahoma school and possibly West Virginia. But, that being said, the trend in energy costs, the stagnation of the economy, and with the angst brewing over lost rivalries I would hope our expansion would start becoming more concentrated in spite of the new market approach. If we ever go to 4 divisions I believe it would work best with 5 teams per division. That would give each team 4 divisional games and 2 rotating from each of the other three divisions. All based upon a reasonable range for fans to drive with the core of divisional games.

The economy is not frequently considered in these market based expansion plans. The economy is sluggish because there is an excessive available amount of labor and fewer jobs because of automation, outsourcing, and overproduction shutdowns. For years we have handled overproducton by extending credit to move product. Now there is also tighter credit due to overextension of debt. Since the problem is global and inclusive of all advanced economies, even China and India to a certain extent, there is no immediate end in sight to a protracted period of economic malaise.

How does this affect college football? The new #1 source of debt in the United States is Student Loan Debt, now surpassing credit cards. With an all time low in the number of graduates being hired this dilemma will lead to less enrollment for our universities over the next few decades. Currently, the schools are raising tuition in a foolish attempt to maintain revenue streams. The result will only exacerbate the decline in enrollment, which will further deteriorate the revenue from tuitiion. Thus begins a viscious cycle. Last year attendence and viewership were down in all sporting events nationwide. Perhaps none hurt more than the NBA. At a time when Americans are having to cut back to make ends meet and save more for those two inflationary factors never included in government inflation indices, groceries and fuel, ticket prices, like tuition, are going up. The result will be of course less ticket sales. Sports after all is a luxury/entertainment activity. The SEC will not be immune to this economic disease.

The proposed playoffs and larger TV revenue will help. More stratification in ticket pricing should help as well. More dollars for better seating and less dollars for non-prime seating should help to fill seats and flush out concessions if the moves are wisely made in advance of declining attendence. It will be easier to hang on to a game goer who is pinched if you lower some seating prices, than to try to lure him back once he’s decided to watch on the High Def.

While I’ve not been forced to make economic adjustments, I can tell you, that in spite of having SEC season tickets for nearly 40 years, I have already discovered the joys of High Def, clean home restrooms, a better stocked kitchen, and being able to actually talk with friends about the game during the game versus shouting over the never ending hich decible loud speakers that blair ridiculous music throughout every break in play of the game. If the SEC is to remain on top we need to ponder the economic needs of some of our fans, and concentrate very hard on making the gameday experience enjoyable and social for those of us who once loved it for those reasons. Never ending noise at baseball, basketball and football games is not enjoyable, destroys the social time spent with friends with whom you have shared sporting experiences for decades, and makes me yearn for the comfort of my recliner.

In summation, closer games will be an economic necessity for both schools and fans, holding on to lower end ticket buyers a must, and making the experience more enjoyable from the parking lot to the seat a prime concern if the SEC is to stay on top in revenue during these next few decades. Then I’ll keep going to the games and enoy seeing old friends and watch our top round draft picks from my recliner on Sundays.