Here is where our conference stands on revenue in athletics and attendance which is one aspect that is reflective of market draw.
Revenue figures are rounded to the nearest thousand dollars. Attendance is as reported and averaged for all home games.
Alabama: Revenue $124,900,000; Attendance 101,505
Arkansas: Revenue $ 99,757,000; Attendance 61,596
Auburn: Revenue $105,951,000; Attendance 85,657
Florida: Revenue $120,772,000; Attendance 87,440
Georgia: Revenue $ 91,671,000; Attendance 92,746
Kentucky: Revenue $ 88,373,000; Attendance 59,472
Louisiana State: Revenue $114,788,000; Attendance 91,418
Mississippi: Revenue $ 51,859,000; Attendance 59,393
Miss State: Revenue $ 69,829,000; Attendance 55,695
Missouri: Revenue $ 50,720,000; Attendance 63,505
South Carolina: Revenue $ 87,608,000; Attendance 82,401
Tennessee: Revenue $102,884,000; Attendance 95,584
Texas A&M: Revenue $119,702,000; Attendance 87,125
Vanderbilt: Revenue $ 55,836,000; Attendance 35,675
The Mean Revenue Level for Athletics in the SEC is: $91,760,714 and the Mean Attendance is rounded down to 75,000 per school per home game.
So who could the SEC add that would enhance these numbers:
1. Texas: Revenue $163,295,000; Attendance 98,976; (Would strengthen existing numbers for the SEC)
2. Oklahoma: Revenue $106,457,000; Attendance 84,722; Population 3.814 Million
3. Florida State: Revenue $100,049,000; Attendance 75,421; (Would strengthen existing numbers for the SEC)
4. Notre Dame: Revenue $ 97,113,000; Attendance 80,795; Population 6.537 Million (for Indiana plus those of the Catholic faith that follow nationwide.)
Schools whose markets could enhance the payout of the SEC but who on their own merits do not enhance our numbers.
1. Virginia: Revenue $ 80,836,000; Attendance 46,279; Population 8.260 Million
2. North Carolina: Revenue $ 82,424,000; Attendance 51,500; Population 9.848 Million
3. Virginia Tech: Revenue $ 70,724,000; Attendance 63,999; Population 8.260 Million
4. North Carolina St.: Revenue $ 59,758,000; Attendance 53,178; Population 9.848 Million
5. Pittsburgh: Revenue $ 56,338,000; Attendance 49,741; Population 12.763 Million
6. West Virginia: Revenue $ 80,065,000; Attendance 52,910; Population 1.855 Million
7. Oklahoma State: Revenue $ 87,271,000; Attendance 59,126; Population 3.814 Million
8. Kansas: Revenue $ 70,229,000; Attendance 37,884; Population 2.888 Million
9. Kansas State: Revenue $63,272,000; Attendance 52,887; Population 2.888 Million
Another that could fit with a revenue increase:
1. Clemson: Revenue $ 70,002,000; Attendance 82,048; (Would strengthen existing numbers for the SEC.)
Duke is a possibility if North Carolina insisted upon it and because of their phenomenal academic ratings:
1. Duke: Revenue $ 78,605,000; Attendance 26,062 (Doesn't deliver North Carolina but would strengthen existing numbers and deliver a national audience.)
Now if you like you can discuss the merits or lack thereof of any of these schools but if the SEC is to expand again these are the prospects for a variety of different reasons. I can't see anyone outside of these being a prospect unless a conference merger was the reason.
My take here to 16 the most advantageous would be Virginia and North Carolina, followed by Virginia Tech and North Carolina, followed by Virginia Tech and N.C. State. The greatest strength would be with the additions of Texas and Oklahoma.
At 18 the markets would enhanced the most by North Carolina, Virginia, Pittsburgh, Oklahoma. The greatest strength would be in adding Texas, Oklahoma, Florida State and North Carolina.
At 20 the markets would be enhanced the most by North Carolina, Virginia, Pittsburgh, Oklahoma, Kansas, and West Virginia (I'm not counting Notre Dame at any position.) The greatest strength would be in North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Florida State, Texas, Oklahoma, and Clemson. But those are just my thoughts.
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Update on 2014 attendance figures:
http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball...wn-in-2014
