Change in football postseason inevitable due to increased potential for profit
We live in a capitalistic society and a predominantly conservative state. Within our conservative state slightly different types of people reside in colleges and universities: idealists and more liberal individuals. The idealists come out against conference realignment, but they must see the big picture and the lucrative outside opportunities.
Idealists must become realists. The additions of Missouri and Texas A&M are beneficial to the SEC because of the lucrative positive economic outcomes and progression towards a playoff.
Nine states currently house the 12 SEC teams with a combined population of 59 million. Texas has 24.8 million people along with two of the top 10 television markets in the nation. The opportunity for growth of over 40 percent cannot be passed up even though it will be with a 17-hour drive. Everything is becoming more global, partnered and diverse. College football is no different and USC students must embrace this change.
It’s the job of the university president to say things along the lines of the deal will be “neutral financially in the short-term,” as President Harris Pastides told the Daily Gamecock in late September, but even he knows that’s a ludicrous statement.
The SEC is in the midst of a $3 billion deal with ESPN and an $825 million deal with CBS. If those contracts aren’t voidable by the SEC because of the additions, then they will grow when renegotiated.
USC student must embrace this new system, because the positive university economic ramifications benefit everyone. Maybe prospective new contracts with ESPN and CBS can go toward Carolina’s Promise for $1 billion.
That’s unlikely, but realignment certainly will continue to help college football near a playoff format. The forming of super conferences will result in around four conferences of 16 to 20 schools made up of the top college football talent.
Each conference champion will play in a four-team playoff for the title. Fans and players want a playoff. It will happen; the only question is when.
After going from college athletes adamantly not being paid to some of the top coaches in the SEC signing a petition in favor of a stipend along with the Big 10 discussing a monthly payoff for athletes, anything can happen and it can happen quickly.
The decision makers in the NCAA pursue one thing, how to make more money. A playoff will provide even greater cash influx from networks. The best teams will be playing more in an exiting format. College football is the only sport without a playoff. The NCAAB tournament fetches $771 million a year and getting four to eight teams to square off over a few weeks could create comparable economic outcomes.
It’s time to accept, embrace and become excited about expansion and along with it’s sure by-product. It’s America at its finest — capitalism and competition.