ESPN in prelim talks with SEC about adding 9th in-conference game for extra $80 million/year

[ArizonaLonghorn]

Talks apparently in the early stages but the preliminary number tossed around is $5 million extra per team or $80 million total on top of the current $811 million media rights deal.  I'm guessing it will go a little higher though.

Personally I'd like to see it, especially with the expanded CFP format.  This also paves the way to establish up to 3 annual 'rivalry' games and still play each of the other 12 teams every other year.

What do you guys think?  Pass up the game with Sam Houston or UTEP in favor of an additional SEC match?

I first saw this in the Athletic but behind a paywall.  If you have a sub here's the link.

Here are free links to the same story in Longhorn Wire (USA Today site) and Sports Illustrated.

[CJ Vogel]

Sign me all the way up for nine conference games. 

[qaertyisthatdude]

Did not know this could happen as early as this upcoming season if this deal gets done.  I wanted 9 SEC games from the day Texas announced they were joining the SEC with Wagon, Aggy, and Piggy being the big three rivals.  I know some don’t care for Piggy as much as others, especially the younger crowd, but I wouldn’t mind Texas playing them every year.  Plus Texas will continue to have one marquee non-con regular season matchup too.  Don’t think they’ll reconsider if the SEC goes to a 9 game conference schedule.

Edited Thursday at 11:47 PM by qaertyisthatdude

[Hashtag]

Sounds like SEC would be smart to leverage ESPN for more to get their pay in line with BIG and their deals especially since ESPN is their only partner.

[dfwHorn]

53 minutes ago, qaertyisthatdude said:

Did not know this could happen as early as this upcoming season if this deal gets done.  I wanted 9 SEC games from the day Texas announced they were joining the SEC with Wagon, Aggy, and Piggy being the big three rivals.  I know some don’t care for Piggy as much as others, especially the younger crowd, but I wouldn’t mind Texas playing them every year.  Plus Texas will continue to have one marquee non-con regular season matchup too.  Don’t think they’ll reconsider if the SEC goes to a 9 game conference schedule.

I never saw where it said that it could happen this year, was that in the athletic article?

[Migas & Fajitas]

Conference games in 2027 should be interesting. Tennessee, South Carolina, Auburn, LSU, Mizzou, Ole Miss would be my guess. 

[TheRealMcCoyShipley]

8 games is ideal for 12 teams max. With the size of the SEC we definitely need to up it to 9 conference games!