🏈 ESPN reportedly willing to pay SEC more to add ninth game to college football schedule

[RTB X Bot]

Should SEC football teams play nine conference games during the regular season? ESPN is reportedly not only hoping that will happen but is also willing to make adding a conference game more lucrative for the SEC.

Seth Emerson and Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reported on Wednesday that “ESPN has indicated a willingness to increase its payment to the SEC if the conference adds a ninth game to its league football schedule.”

“There is no formal offer yet, those sources added, and the exact amount of the increase is unclear,” the report detailed. “But the sources said the additional money would likely be in the range of $50-80 million annually on top of the current deal, in which ESPN pays the conference $811 million per year to broadcast its sporting events. Both ESPN and the SEC declined to comment.”

Of the “Power Four” conferences with automatic bids to the College Football Playoff, two — the SEC and ACC — play only eight conference games. The other two — the Big Ten and Big 12 — play nine games in the conference.

Beyond the financial gain, there is a potential competitive edge in adding an extra conference game. While the conference didn’t do particularly well in the 2024-25 College Football Playoff, the SEC is still widely regarded as the best or second-best conference in the country. An extra game in the conference, especially if it replaces a weaker non-conference opponent, could help the conference when it comes time to determine the CFP participants.

As Emerson and Marchand detailed, one of the potential challenges is timing. A ninth game would be discussed at the SEC’s spring meetings, generally held near Memorial Day. Changes to the College Football Playoff, which would potentially go a long way in influencing the vote, won’t be discussed until June.

 

[OldPlayer]

Should SEC football teams play nine conference games during the regular season? ESPN is reportedly not only hoping that will happen but is also willing to make adding a conference game more lucrative for the SEC.

Seth Emerson and Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reported on Wednesday that “ESPN has indicated a willingness to increase its payment to the SEC if the conference adds a ninth game to its league football schedule.”

“There is no formal offer yet, those sources added, and the exact amount of the increase is unclear,” the report detailed. “But the sources said the additional money would likely be in the range of $50-80 million annually on top of the current deal, in which ESPN pays the conference $811 million per year to broadcast its sporting events. Both ESPN and the SEC declined to comment.”

Of the “Power Four” conferences with automatic bids to the College Football Playoff, two — the SEC and ACC — play only eight conference games. The other two — the Big Ten and Big 12 — play nine games in the conference.

Beyond the financial gain, there is a potential competitive edge in adding an extra conference game. While the conference didn’t do particularly well in the 2024-25 College Football Playoff, the SEC is still widely regarded as the best or second-best conference in the country. An extra game in the conference, especially if it replaces a weaker non-conference opponent, could help the conference when it comes time to determine the CFP participants.

As Emerson and Marchand detailed, one of the potential challenges is timing. A ninth game would be discussed at the SEC’s spring meetings, generally held near Memorial Day. Changes to the College Football Playoff, which would potentially go a long way in influencing the vote, won’t be discussed until June.

So it would add $2.94 to $4.7 million per school (the conference keeps one share). That doesn’t cover the cost of game operations.

 

[BamaFan334]

My question is if it would pay more than making the Playoffs? After the SMU vote, I find it hard to believe the SEC would offer to play a 9th.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

My question is if it would pay more than making the Playoffs? After the SMU vote, I find it hard to believe the SEC would offer to play a 9th.

And give up one of their non conference cupcakes....?????
Cant see sec doing it either......
Although our future schedules are pretty darn good....with 2 p4 and 2 g4 for non conference...

 

[Rsedge72]

I want an easy a path to the playoffs as possible..
I don’t care if they schedule nothing but cupcakes. Other than the sec games. I’d prefer they keep it at eight, or less. I know it’s all about making more to pay more, but I’d rather win. That’s just me though, I’m an Alabama fan, not a fan of the “sport” or one of the silly sec sec sec people….

 

[BamaFan334]

And give up one of their non conference cupcakes....?????
Cant see sec doing it either......
Although our future schedules are pretty darn good....with 2 p4 and 2 g4 for non conference...

In theory, I have always been for that extra SEC for my viewing pleasure and season ticket bump. With us having that one good out of conference game now for the next number of years, I'm satisfied. If that extra game causes us to not make a Playoff due to weak ACC and Big 12, I would not like that, especially after adding teams like Oklahoma and Texas as well. The SEC added two solid teams, while the Big Ten added one decent one in Oregon.

 

[TerryP]

If that extra game causes us to not make a Playoff due to weak ACC and Big 12, I would not like that, especially after adding teams like Oklahoma and Texas as well. The SEC added two solid teams, while the Big Ten added one decent one in Oregon.

This is also the core of the argument against the three permanents for Bama that were suggested several months ago.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

This is also the core of the argument against the three permanents for Bama that were suggested several months ago.

@BamaFan334

If we cant make a 12 team cfp game Good gosh. I like quality football. Not cupcaking to make a cfp game.

3 permanent opponents is great. Tn. Lsu. Au

SEC added 2 quality programs to make the conference more competitive.
If all we wanted was CFP appearances. Join acc. Feast on Wake Forest. VaTech. BC. Etc

 

[TerryP]

If we cant make a 12 team cfp game Good gosh. I like quality football. Not cupcaking to make a cfp game.

3 permanent opponents is great. Tn. Lsu. Au

There's all the ingredients for not making the playoff.

And then you'll complain about someone else's schedule.

There is no way in hell I want to the team to start behind the eight ball. And, getting saddled with those three—compared to what every other team will receive—is just that. Starting behind the eight ball.

 

[TerryP]

@BamaFan334

If we cant make a 12 team cfp game Good gosh. I like quality football. Not cupcaking to make a cfp game.

3 permanent opponents is great. Tn. Lsu. Au

SEC added 2 quality programs to make the conference more competitive.
If all we wanted was CFP appearances. Join acc. Feast on Wake Forest. VaTech. BC. Etc

It'll be sixteen.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

There's all the ingredients for not making the playoff.

And then you'll complain about someone else's schedule.

There is no way in hell I want to the team to start behind the eight ball. And, getting saddled with those three—compared to what every other team will receive—is just that. Starting behind the eight ball.

Saddled with those teams????? Good gosh.
One hss had like 3 losing seasons in a row
One has never made cfps. Even 12 teams
One is 2 n 18 vs bama n got smoked in CFP appearance

Change names of teams and Someone could look n say... wow. Thats not tough permanent 3

 

[50+yeartidefan]

It'll be sixteen.

Ok. If we cant make 16 team cfp's

I much rather see. As a season ticket holder and big time fan .... lsu/tn/au. Than a miss state. Or ark or ole ms or AnM. ... vandy... USCe...

If we didnt have those 3. Who would u wanna drop. And pick up.
Drop a classic like lsu n pick up a msu.
And have 2 teams with consistent losing records. AU n MSU. And Tennessee aint been that hot either. Competitive now somewhat. But in past 20 seasons. Not so much

 

[TerryP]

One has never made cfps. Even 12 teams

The conference was originally divided on the haves and have nots. What Bama would be saddled with is three have's. They have won national titles.

This is elementary.

In your scenario:

LSU will have one permanent who has won a national title: Bama.
Tennessee will have one permanent who has won a national title: Bama.
Auburn will have two: Alabama and UGA.
Bama will have three.

How is that a level playing field?

NO OTHER TEAM in the SEC will have three permanent opponents who have all won titles. NO ONE.

How is that a level playing field?

 

[TerryP]

Drop a classic like lsu n pick up a msu.

If we're going with classic, it's MSU. Bama has played them 20 or so more times than LSU. There's only about a 10 points percentage difference in winning percentages when the two are compared. Like Florida, LSU is a relative new comer.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

If we're going with classic, it's MSU. Bama has played them 20 or so more times than LSU. There's only about a 10 points percentage difference in winning percentages when the two are compared. Like Florida, LSU is a relative new comer.

Lol. Msu. Is not a classic. Long time opponent. For sure. Not even competitive most years. But lsu vs bama is a classic in modern day football
One of great classics.
Saturday night at Death Valley... makes hair on neck stand up!!!!!!
( and who would want to hear them damn cow bells at msu game??? That would rule them out for me).

As for Ncs. And AU might get UGA. bama. N. Florida????
Lsu could get bama. Florida/texas/ Arkansas/ ole ms. Or some combination of

Probably not. But.

If u are the best. Beat the best. Works for our bball team.

 

[Rsedge72]

I’ll repeat I’m a bama fan not a “fan of the game”. If bama wins by 60 every game that’s my preference. I like to see the occasional “close” game when I’m watching other teams play, and I don’t have a dog in the fight. In this day and age having a tougher schedule is lunacy. More injuries, more wear and tear. If I where just a fan of the game I’d want it tough every week, but as an Alabama fan I’m all about watching our guys kick everyone else’s ass.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

I’ll repeat I’m a bama fan not a “fan of the game”. If bama wins by 60 every game that’s my preference. I like to see the occasional “close” game when I’m watching other teams play, and I don’t have a dog in the fight. In this day and age having a tougher schedule is lunacy. More injuries, more wear and tear. If I where just a fan of the game I’d want it tough every week, but as an Alabama fan I’m all about watching our guys kick everyone else’s ass.

Better to watch a tough competition and WIN though

If bama was worried about competition...then should never have signedup for 2 p4 a year.
Bamais committed to playing the best. Beatingthe best. Being the best

 

[OldPlayer]

Removing lesser teams from the schedule will remove lesser teams from college football. The Arkansas States of the world rely on the paydays from Alabama and other schools to keep their football programs, and other sports, afloat. If the SEC moves to a 9-game schedule, expect many schools to drop some sports.

 

[TerryP]

As for Ncs. And AU might get UGA. bama. N. Florida????
Lsu could get bama. Florida/texas/ Arkansas/ ole ms. Or some combination of

Probably not. But.

If u are the best. Beat the best. Works for our bball team.

No. The proposed format had AU with UA, UGA, and Vandy. LSU would get A&M, Ole Miss, and Bama.

No, it doesn't work for the basketball team. All they have done is participate. In football terms, they've made the playoffs.

In this situation to be the best you have to beat the best is as fake as the genre it came from .

Let's say Bama gets those three and does make the playoffs. How much healthier are the other teams going to be? A whole hell of a lot. And again, it's not a level playing field.

The notion you want Bama to play at a disadvantage perplexes me.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

No. The proposed format had AU with UA, UGA, and Vandy. LSU would get A&M, Ole Miss, and Bama.

No, it doesn't work for the basketball team. All they have done is participate. In football terms, they've made the playoffs.

In this situation to be the best you have to beat the best is as fake as the genre it came from .

Let's say Bama gets those three and does make the playoffs. How much healthier are the other teams going to be? A whole hell of a lot. And again, it's not a level playing field.

The notion you want Bama to play at a disadvantage perplexes me.

You see disadvantages. I dont.
You use national championships. I use double diget win seasons.
In last 20.
AU n TN ....3
So LSU is our top series.... the other 2....also rans. Middle level teams...
AU hasnt hasn't had back to back 10 win seasons since the 80s....

If bama was worried...and i am sure they arent....about competition...
Shouldnt have scheduled the non conference that they did..

You want msu....the ho-hum game and cow bells... i want Saturday night inDeath Valley

And ...if youu reallly look at it ..Bamas,.....tenn...AU...LSU
Is easier ....than LSU's....AnM...Ole Ms...Bama

Roll Tide