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From a Business Perspective- Why Did the SEC Agree to 24 Team Playoff?
Posted on 10/15/26 at 9:39 pm
Posted on 10/15/26 at 9:39 pm
I hate this expansion as a fan which has been discussed at length in the other thread, but I’m struggling to even understand it from a business perspective.
It’s easy to think bigger playoff equals more money, but for the SEC, I’m not so sure.
In the 12 team era, both SEC championship games have had better TV ratings than every first round playoff game. I’m not sure losing that game where all the money goes to the SEC in exchange for an expanded playoff where the funds are split with every conference makes business sense. For perspective, the 3 first round games last year the SEC would have played were James Madison @ Alabama, Tulane @ Texas, and Virginia @ Vanderbilt. I’m doubtful those 3 games combined generate as many viewers as last year’s SECCG.
The SEC dominates every other conference in regular season ratings, so it’s the only conference with a lot to lose if expansion results in a decline of TV ratings before the postseason.
If Sankey and our universities had some guts they’d just add the remaining popular ACC programs, split off, and make more money by not having to split the pie with these unpopular leagues.
It’s easy to think bigger playoff equals more money, but for the SEC, I’m not so sure.
In the 12 team era, both SEC championship games have had better TV ratings than every first round playoff game. I’m not sure losing that game where all the money goes to the SEC in exchange for an expanded playoff where the funds are split with every conference makes business sense. For perspective, the 3 first round games last year the SEC would have played were James Madison @ Alabama, Tulane @ Texas, and Virginia @ Vanderbilt. I’m doubtful those 3 games combined generate as many viewers as last year’s SECCG.
The SEC dominates every other conference in regular season ratings, so it’s the only conference with a lot to lose if expansion results in a decline of TV ratings before the postseason.
If Sankey and our universities had some guts they’d just add the remaining popular ACC programs, split off, and make more money by not having to split the pie with these unpopular leagues.
Posted on 10/15/26 at 9:42 pm to TomRollTideRitter
Sankey has been bent over in every single negotiation.
My guess is he felt like he had to agree to 24 teams to soften the blow of his mistake to go to 9 conference games with no assurances from the CFP committee.
The writing is on the wall already that someone from the SEC will get screwed this year. Sankey’s only out for the mistake was to agree to a format that gives more of his teams a chance next year.
My guess is he felt like he had to agree to 24 teams to soften the blow of his mistake to go to 9 conference games with no assurances from the CFP committee.
The writing is on the wall already that someone from the SEC will get screwed this year. Sankey’s only out for the mistake was to agree to a format that gives more of his teams a chance next year.
Posted on 10/15/26 at 9:45 pm to TomRollTideRitter
Because this conference is run by incompetent people. They're too busy suing and threatening LSU to be concerned with actually making good decisions.
The people who dislike LSU and its coaches are fine with that, apparently. Meanwhile, the SEC keeps falling further and further behind.
The people who dislike LSU and its coaches are fine with that, apparently. Meanwhile, the SEC keeps falling further and further behind.
Posted on 10/15/26 at 9:46 pm to TomRollTideRitter
Sanktard just responded TLDR.
Posted on 10/15/26 at 9:46 pm to TomRollTideRitter
Sankey has the spinal makeup of a paramecium
Posted on 10/15/26 at 9:51 pm to Swagga
quote:
Sankey has been bent over in every single negotiation.
No doubt on this. Guy really needs to be fired. Mind blowing that we have a far worse tv contract than the B1G when the SEC dominates the ratings every week.
Posted on 10/15/26 at 9:59 pm to TomRollTideRitter
Sankey agreed to it because he’s a coward. It’s that simple.
He’s a joke. Whatever the Big 10 wants, Sankey gives them.
He’s a joke. Whatever the Big 10 wants, Sankey gives them.
Posted on 10/15/26 at 10:17 pm to TomRollTideRitter
Every single coach is going to be in favor of it because almost all of them get some bonus payment if they make the playoffs.
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