FanHouse

A perfect storm of contract expirations coming in the Spring of 2009 has led SEC Commish Mike Slive to consider jumping on the athletic conference television network bandwagon. According to the USA Today, the SEC is looking to follow in the footsteps of the Mountain West and, most recently, the BigTen.

The question that many are probably asking is: "Does the SEC really need another Television outlet?" The answer to that question in the mind of any true SEC fan is: "Yes. At least one. Maybe two."
The Mountain West's network launched in the fall of 2006 and currently broadcasting to over a million homes. At least two dozen of which actually know they have it. Joking aside, the huge draw of The Mtn. has been more convenient game times and more availability. The Big Ten's network, scheduled to start programming some time in August.

To be fair, the SEC gets plenty of television time already. Given the nature of SEC fans, though, "plenty" is nowhere near enough. Football and Basketball would feature most prominently, and some of the weaker programs would presumably get increased air time, but where I think the network would be most valuable is in airing the various other sports that the SEC participates in. Getting more regular season baseball and softball games would be outstanding. Gymnastics and golf would even bring in some viewers. Best of all, contracts with satellite providers would make all of this available, one would hope, nation-wide.

At the end of the day, however, one has to be honest about the single biggest benefit to such a venture: the Lincoln Financial announcers and production crews can be put out to pasture. If I never have to see another sporting event broadcast by LFN I'll be a happy sports fan.