By the time you read this article, the conference expansion dominoes may have already fallen. As of this writing, rumors abound that SEC presidents are meeting in Atlanta to vote to accept an invitation from or extend an invitation to Texas A&M. If that is correct and comes to fruition, then the SEC will certainly expand more, and other conferences will probably follow suit.
Expansion is a good thing for the SEC and for South Carolina … as long as it is done correctly. SEC expansion needs to be deliberate and focused. Thus far it has been. Texas A&M brings the kind of addition that the SEC needs. First, they fit culturally. Fit is necessary, but it isn’t sufficient. Second, they bring new TV markets, and as a result, they add value to the conference rather than just another mouth to feed. They will allow the league to increase the revenue per member. That’s the important thing.
It will be easier for the conference if they can find a 14th member. Like the 13th, they shouldn’t settle for anything other than a great fit for the 14th. Here are my personal choices in order.
1. Oklahoma
They have the kind of top flight programs to fit well into the conference. They don’t bring a very big state, but they do bring a new state, and they add value based on their national name. Rumor has it that if they come, Oklahoma State would come as well. The SEC may not want that, but the Pac-12 might.
2. North Carolina State
They are geographically adjacent, and they bring an entire new state that is populous and rapidly growing. That should lead to increased value in renegotiated television contracts.
3. Missouri
They bring an adjacent border state with big markets. Some have questions about how much of those big markets they bring, but I’d be willing to give them a shot.
4. Virginia Tech
They are from a similarly sized state as NC State, but I have my doubts about the conventional wisdom that they can deliver the Washington DC market.
