The SEC Network Would Not Exist Without Texas A&M

We all know that everything is bigger in Texas, but I'm not sure the average SEC fan realizes just how much my state influenced ESPN's decision to sign a 20 year contract with the SEC. The State of Texas shifted the SEC market from a group of mostly lower economic standing states to an attractive region that could provide real financial benefit to ESPN. Below is my breakdown.

Population in Millions (% of Total SEC States)
1. Texas – 25.1 (27.9%)
2. Florida – 18.8 (20.9%)
3. Georgia – 9.7 (10.7%)
4. Tennessee – 6.4 (7.0%)
5. Missouri – 6.0 (6.6%)
6. Alabama – 4.8 (5.3%)
7. South Carolina – 4.6 (5.1%)
8. Louisiana – 4.5 (5.0%)
9. Kentucky – 4.4 (4.8%)
10. Mississippi – 2.9 (3.3%)
11. Arkansas – 2.9 (3.2%)

Clearly of all the SEC states, Texas is a huge driver of population. For your reference, with Texas the SEC states make up 29.2% of the U.S. population. Without Texas, that % would only be 21%. For comparison, SEC states would still make up 28% without Louisiana.

2015 Gross Domestic Product in Billions (% of Total SEC States)
1. Texas – $1,603 (35.1%)
2. Florida – $834 (18.3%)
3. Georgia – $472 (10.7%)
4. Tennessee – $297 (6.5%)
5. Missouri – $285 (6.2%)
6. Louisiana – $257 (5.6%)
7. Alabama – $200 (4.4%)
8. South Carolina – $190 (4.2%)
9. Kentucky – $190 (4.2%)
10. Arkansas – $130 (2.8%)
11. Mississippi – $109 (2.4%)

Generally this number is in trillions, but Texas is the only state to eclipse that mark. As you can see, Texas is nearly double Florida, the second ranked SEC state. For your reference, with Texas the SEC states make up 26.4% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product. Without Texas, that % would only be 17%. For comparison, SEC states would still make up 25% without Louisiana.

Total Wins per State Since 2012
1. Alabama – 59 (17.7%)
2. Mississippi – 49 (14.7%)
3. Tennessee – 38 (11.4%)
4. Georgia – 30 (9.0%)
5. South Carolina - 29 (8.7%)
6. Texas - 28 (8.4%)
6. Missouri - 28 (8.4%)
6. Louisiana - 28 (8.4%)
9. Florida – 22 (6.6%)
10. Arkansas – 14 (4.2%)
11. Kentucky – 9 (2.7%)

Weighted Average for the Three Categories
Population – 20% Weighting
GDP – 20% Weighting
Wins by State – 60% Weighting

1. Texas – 17.6%
2. Alabama – 12.5%
3. Florida – 11.8%
4. Mississippi – 9.9%
5. Georgia – 9.6%
6. Tennessee – 9.5%
7. Missouri – 7.6%
8. Louisiana – 7.2%
9. South Carolina – 7.1%
10. Arkansas – 3.7%
11. Kentucky – 3.4%

As you can see, Texas if far and away the most important state in the SEC from a population, GDP and football standpoint. If it weren’t for realignment and Texas A&M’s move to the SEC in 2012, our conference’s network probably wouldn’t exist today.

God Bless Texas