re: Seriously, if not Bham -- where should the SEC

The OP was "If not Bham, where?" Of course the SEC is fine with the offices staying in Bham and the location of the offices is not a critical factor. People will come to the SEC wherever it is because it is the SEC.

The question though is IF you are going to move where would provide the most benefit. To me that is Houston or Atlanta with New Orleans likely being 3rd choice. Houston would be interesting because then you would have the SECN in Charlotte, the SECCG in Atlanta, the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, and then the SEC offices in Houston. Thus spreading the exposure of the conference throughout.