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NEW ORLEANS — The Southeastern Conference (SEC) is inching closer to a long-sought nine-game conference football schedule, a move debated for years. While significant progress has been made, a final decision remains elusive, highlighting the complex factors at play.
The push for a nine-game schedule has faced repeated setbacks due to financial and competitive concerns among league members. However, a new alliance with the Big Ten Conference may finally tip the scales.SEC and Big Ten athletic directors and commissioners concluded a second round of meetings in new Orleans on Wednesday. while a scheduling agreement wasn’t directly discussed, according to several sources, the conferences did explore the possibility of four guaranteed spots for each conference
in an expanded College Football Playoff (CFP).
Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin emphasized the interconnectedness of these issues, stating, It’s all connected,
highlighting the need for clarity on the CFP format before a decision on the nine-game schedule can be made. The timeline for a final decision remains uncertain, with Stricklin suggesting it could take several months.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey acknowledged a lot of interest
in the nine-game proposal, noting a shift in attitudes among previously hesitant members. I think people change. Positions change,
Sankey said, adding, There’s been a lot of phone calls in advance of the meeting: ‘What are you thinking? What do we need to look at? Are there different ways to form this?’
This suggests a significant level of internal discussion and negotiation preceding the meetings.
For years, SEC presidents have insisted on increased revenue from ESPN to justify the addition of a ninth conference game. The current contract, following the addition of Oklahoma and texas, provides approximately $811 million annually. Though, ESPN has resisted further increases, citing cost-cutting measures at its parent company, Disney.
Several factors might now be influencing ESPN’s stance. The stabilization of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) provides greater certainty in the college football landscape. Moreover, ESPN’s existing CFP contract, signed in March 2024 and extending through the 2031 season, plays a significant role.Crucially, the high ratings for the 2024 SEC season, the first under a non-divisional format, are likely a strong incentive.According to Sports Media Watch, the SEC boasted six of the top ten highest-rated non-Playoff games and fifteen of the twenty-one highest-rated games featuring at least one SEC team.
A nine-game schedule would ensure the continuation of key rivalries like Alabama-Tennessee (sixth-highest-rated non-Playoff game
), Texas-texas A&M (10th-most-watched non-Playoff game
), and Georgia-Auburn. Maintaining these matchups is a priority, as the current eight-game format would reduce their frequency to only twice every four years. The SEC’s 2024-25 temporary schedule strategically included these games, showcasing their value to ESPN.
Though, the 2024 season also introduced some reservations about a nine-game schedule. Texas achieved a 7-1 conference record, while two other teams suffered two losses each, and five teams ended with three losses. Alabama,Ole Miss,and South Carolina narrowly missed the CFP. This highlights the competitive concerns surrounding a more demanding schedule.
The potential for four guaranteed CFP bids for both the SEC and Big Ten could alleviate these concerns, reducing the risk of strong teams being excluded from the playoff. Sankey has consistently avoided publicly endorsing the nine-game proposal, preferring to frame his role as facilitating the ongoing discussion. This protracted debate, a recurring theme at SEC spring meetings for several years, has involved temporary eight-game formats while the ultimate decision remained pending.
While the situation appears to be nearing a resolution, Sankey cautioned against premature conclusions, stating, We’ve not made a decision, and we’re coming up on four years… the reality, and I’ve said this to you, that that conversation began in 2018; it was tied to the move from divisions. Can you rotate people through? So it was a pre-expansion conversation, but the three or four years really is a post-expansion dialog. And we made decisions for ’24 and ’25, (while) ’26 and beyond remains an agenda item for us.
When pressed on a timeline, Sankey quipped, Right before we send out the press release.
SEC’s Future on the Field: Exploring the Nine-Game Schedule Gamble
Will the SEC’s ambitious shift to a nine-game schedule redefine college football, or will it hit a financial and logistical wall?
Opening Question
Editor: As the SEC gears up for a possible shift to a nine-game conference football schedule, this decision seems unavoidable, yet fraught with uncertainties. How do you see this change impacting the financial landscape of college football?
Expert’s Insightful Response
The shift to a nine-game schedule for the Southeastern Conference (SEC) carries meaningful financial implications that stretch beyond immediate ticket sales.For decades, sports organizations like the SEC have used game contracts with broadcasting giants such as ESPN to rake in significant revenue, a pivotal factor justifying their decisions on conference scheduling. Currently, the SEC’s deal with ESPN is valued at approximately $811 million annually, resulting from the recent inclusion of Oklahoma and Texas.
The Potential Revenue Upside
transitioning to a nine-game format could unlock new revenue streams for the SEC.First and foremost, more conference games translate to increased broadcast rights and advertising opportunities during those additional games. Higher viewership ratings, as evidenced by the impressive ratings of the 2024 SEC season under a non-divisional format, already provide strong incentives for networks like ESPN to increase their financial commitments. In particular, the SEC’s high viewership of games such as Alabama-Tennessee and Texas-texas A&M highlights how marquee matchups could catch the attention of an international audience, further bolstering bids from broadcasters.
Financial Hurdles and Broadcast Agreements
Despite these potential upsides, the SEC’s request for increased financial support from ESPN continues to be a significant hurdle. Both the SEC and ESPN have to navigate around existing contracts and performance metrics before agreeing on any additional costs.ESPN is part of Disney, a giant where cost-cutting measures have often affected investment into non-essential expenditures. Furthermore, ESPN’s existing commitments through the College Football Playoff (CFP) contract, extending to 2031, could limit their willingness to renegotiate terms based solely on increased game offerings. However, the stabilization of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and a perhaps expanded CFP framework could influence ESPN to reassess it’s stance.
Reevaluation of Broadcast Strategies
Editor: The stability of rivalries like Alabama-Tennessee and texas-texas A&M is crucial to any scheduling adjustments. How might a nine-game schedule impact the longevity of these traditional matchups?
Prioritizing Marquee Rivalries
Instituting a nine-game schedule mandates careful orchestration to preserve the essence and revenue-generating power of classic rivalries. The current format reduces the frequency of these high-stakes games to once every four years, a potential loss in both fan interest and broadcast appeal. Enhanced scheduling would become central to ensuring that these matchups occur more frequently, capturing the excitement that drives annual viewership and fan attendance. A strategically arranged schedule is key, as seen with the SEC’s temporary alignment in the 2024-25 season prioritizing these marquee matchups intentionally.
Editor: While fans eagerly anticipate greater opportunities to see their favorite teams contest each other in rivalry games, the decision also presents competitive risks. How might these be mitigated?
Addressing Competitive Concerns
The competitive implications of a nine-game schedule cannot be overlooked. Adverse impacts, like heightened injury risks from increased game days, could threaten team performances and college football’s depth, notably affecting playoff eligibility—a critical evaluation criterion for teams. Though, the prospect of four guaranteed College Football Playoff (CFP) bids for conferences like the SEC and Big Ten might mitigate these concerns by minimizing the risk of strong teams missing out despite additional losses.
Looking to the Future
Editor: With evolving discussions continuing to shape the collegiate sports landscape, what do you predict will be a likely timeline for such a significant decision?
Strategic and Protracted Deliberations
While discussions to move to a nine-game schedule have been active since the SEC’s expansion strategy in 2018, the final decision remains considerably undefined. Reflections by SEC commissioner greg Sankey emphasize a cautious and inclusive approach, involving a clear dialog with stakeholders before any resolution is announced. With summers and fall football seasons serving as recurring intervals for intensified discussions, the timeline could span a few more seasons—a necessary period to ensure an alignment of financial, competitive, and broadcast interests.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Editor: As the SEC continues to weigh its options with an eye toward the future, fans, analysts, and stakeholders alike are eager to see what emerges from this ongoing conversation. What would you say remains the most critical factor in determining the SEC’s steps forward?
Expert: At its core, the SEC’s pursuit of a nine-game schedule is as much about ensuring financial viability and competitive balance as it is about preserving the rich traditions of college football. A balanced consideration of these factors—backed by constructive negotiations with partners like ESPN and an eye toward expanded CFP opportunities—will be pivotal in shaping a future that respects the game’s history while embracing new possibilities.
Conclusion
As the SEC deliberates on its next move, stakeholders are advised to consider the broader implications of a nine-game schedule for not only the outlets involved but also the future of college football’s competitive integrity. Fans are encouraged to join the dialogue in the comments below, sharing their thoughts and perspectives on how best to balance tradition, competition, and innovation in the sport’s evolving landscape. Share your insights on social media using #SECFootballFuture and help us understand the priorities of collegiate athletics enthusiasts today.