Yes, it's about fan bases. But you also say it's about competitiveness, and then later say that the schools need a Duke on their schedule (a school that's not competitive and also has a small fan base).

The purpose of adding a big state school isn't about adding a TV market, it's about knowing lots of fans of the team, no matter where they live, will be watching the game. So the SEC move to me is about pitting teams against one another that have big fanbases who actually watch games, AND bringing in the casual fan who might like to see two familiar big brands clash. How competitive they are in football is secondary. Baylor and Kansas State have both outperformed Texas in football in modern BigXII history. But no one cares.

A mega conference of bluebloods wouldn't have Duke on it. And any model/schedule that has a bunch of OOC cupcakes and conference games against Duke, et. al. isn't my definition of competitive.

By the way, I am glad the game is moving away from "TV markets" and "cable subscribers" model. I always thought it was foolish. Know what brings fans to the campus and what makes them tune in to games, and give them more of it.

[Post edited by Maroon Baboon at 07/25/2021 2:46PM]