NO SEC EXPANSION AT THIS TIME

[EastStang]

Per the Washington Post, Slive announced yesterday, there will be no SEC expansion at this time. NO A&M, nobody. Sounds like the bean counters have not figured out whether the Aggies and one/three other schools bring enough TV revenue to justify a place at the SEC table. He didn't say, never, just not now.

[Stallion]

No I'm pretty sure they know expanding into Texas will DEFINITELY increase revenues not to mention recruiting. Issue is finding the 14th team to go with them

[RGV Pony]

no way that 14th team could be UCF is there?

That would really, really suck for us/CUSA (though sooner or later I'm sure they're gone, somewhere).. I'm guessing it would suck for the SEC as opposed to say Clemson

[mrydel]

If I am Florida, I might be more opposed to UCF than I am to FSU. Their size and potential could be a threat. At least with FSU you know what you are getting.

[East Coast Mustang]

There is no way in hell UCF is going to the SEC.

I would think Virginia Tech has to be the odds-on favorite at this point, as UF, UGA, and SC will attempt to block FSU, Clemson, and GT.

[Mitch McConnell]

Issue is finding the 14th team to go with them

Aside from my Chip Brown post and the A&M thing, I really think this is the key to extending the invitations. They probably have the litigation/penalty issues mapped out. I don't think the SEC wants an imbalanced conference.

I would suspect when A&M is officially offered and accepts, it will happen on the same day that the other school is.

Keep in mind when the SEC expanded with Arkansas, South Carolina came at the same time. So there is a precedence for that.

[Water Pony]

So, who will be 14th member?

FSU? Strongest FB program and does not dilute UF that much. Doesn't expand market enough?
Clemson? Strong sports and spirited fans. SC may not like it.
GA Tech? Left SEC before and GA will not want to share the state.
VA Tech? Interesting option, but VA legislature would oppose separating from UVA
Missouri? I like this one, but Tigers are better fit for Big10, who would move on it, if necessary.
OK? Less likely and the death of Big12. UT should want to keep them in the fold.
Miami? Remote option for SEC, who prefers big state schools.

Others?

[East Coast Mustang]

FSU? Strongest FB program and does not dilute UF that much. Doesn't expand market enough?

I would think they make the most sense, but UF would likely block them. I think they would definitely expand the market enough- having the top two state schools in the (fourth?) largest state in the USA is pretty significant- and remember, the SEC doesn't cover a lot of major media markets as it is.

Clemson? Strong sports and spirited fans. SC may not like it.

Doesn't expand the market at all. And SC would definitely try to block this.

GA Tech? Left SEC before and GA will not want to share the state.

Right, and they don't expand the market at all. Atlanta is already SEC country.

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VA Tech? Interesting option, but VA legislature would oppose separating from UVA

It might be a political nightmare if they tried to leave, but it's been eight years since the ACC expansion and there's a new governor and new slate of legislators. Not sure how conducive they would be to a move like this. UVa would likely be furious...they saved VT from the depths of the Big East last time around. But the ACC isn't in danger of collapsing like the Big East was/is. UVa would still be fine. I think VT makes the most sense for the SEC in terms of bringing in new markets without upsetting any current members.

Missouri? I like this one, but Tigers are better fit for Big10, who would move on it, if necessary.
OK? Less likely and the death of Big12. UT should want to keep them in the fold.
Miami? Remote option for SEC, who prefers big state schools.

I think the SEC will attempt to add a team to the East division to balance out A&M's inclusion in the West. They don't want to split up Auburn and Alabama in the East and West. Highly doubt Miami would be a serious candidate- they had terrible attendance last year and are a small private school- SEC is looking to add big fanbases

[mrydel]

Maybe they could give Tulane a "do-over".

[EastStang]

Not that it matters, but VT said they are not interested in the SEC. They'd rather dominate the ACC, I suspect. I don't think in-state vetos are as likely as out of state vetos. Think the ACC expansion on steroids. You have Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, and South Carolina all with sister schools under consideration or that someone in their legislatures thinks should be under consideration. So, Florida may have to vote against any team not from Florida. Georgia may have to vote against any team other than GT. Kentucky against any school other than Louisville. USC any school other than Clemson. I think that is more likely a problem. And that could cause the process to drag out for awhile. Add in that Vandy, Ole Miss and MSU only want to admit schools that they have a chance to beat, so they may vote against any expansion, or to break a log jam only agree to another private school like the U or a private school in Texas or Louisiana (anyone know of any?).

[East Coast Mustang]

Florida, Georgia, SC, and UK aren't blocking A&M though- at least there hasn't been any word of that so far.

VT will say they're not interested now, but they could stand to make a LOT more money in the SEC than the ACC. With the addition of A&M and 5 consecutive national titles, the SEC will re-negotiate a massive new TV deal in 2014...that's something I think the Hokies will be very interested in.

Louisville is an interesting idea- but I doubt the SEC would be interested. UK already gives them the Kentucky market, and it's not that significant to begin with.

[Stallion]

EastStang-schools can veto-State Legislatures can't. Big hole in that argument

[East Coast Mustang]

EastStang-schools can veto-State Legislatures can't. Big hole in that argument

Right, but the state legislatures can play a huge role in how the schools vote.

Something interesting to note-

SC Governor- Nikki Haley (Clemson alum)
FL Governor- Rick Scott (UMKC & SMU law alum)
GA Governor- Nathan Deal (Mercer alum)
KY Governor- Steve Beshear (UK alum)
VA Governor- Bob McDonnell (ND alum)

I wonder if Haley could twist SC's arm not to blackball Clemson, and then the other schools with in-state rivals (UK, UF, UGA) would agree to admit Clemson because it wouldn't hurt them as much. I just thought of this an am pulling it out of my [deleted], but let's not forget how much state politics can play a role in this. I doubt the SEC would be so desperate for a 14th team to even things out with A&M that they would throw Clemson a bone (since, as we noted earlier, Clemson doesn't bring a whole lot to the table) but who knows?

Or maybe Rick Scott can get us an SEC invite? (sarcasm)

[Mitch McConnell]

EastStang-schools can veto-State Legislatures can't. Big hole in that argument

Right, but the state legislatures can play a huge role in how the schools vote.

Something interesting to note-

SC Governor- Nikki Haley (Clemson alum)
FL Governor- Rick Scott (UMKC & SMU law alum)
GA Governor- Nathan Deal (Mercer alum)
KY Governor- Steve Beshear (UK alum)
VA Governor- Bob McDonnell (ND alum)

I wonder if Haley could twist SC's arm not to blackball Clemson, and then the other schools with in-state rivals (UK, UF, UGA) would agree to admit Clemson because it wouldn't hurt them as much. I just thought of this an am pulling it out of my [deleted], but let's not forget how much state politics can play a role in this. I doubt the SEC would be so desperate for a 14th team to even things out with A&M that they would throw Clemson a bone (since, as we noted earlier, Clemson doesn't bring a whole lot to the table) but who knows?

Or maybe Rick Scott can get us an SEC invite? (sarcasm)

I just want to see Nikki Haley naked.

[Charleston Pony]

I agree this thing will happen once the litigation concerns are analyzed and a 14th member pretty much lined up. Aggies appear determined to bolt. My money is on Florida State but Clemson would probably jump on this if it fell to them.