ESPN's Latest Obsession: The SEC

#1
Sabanocchio

Sabanocchio

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#1
Put plainly, Kiffin's been a lightning rod because ESPN has decided that Kiffin as a lightning rod of controversy sells really well. That doesn't mean there's not an element of truth to the characterization, but compare Kiffin's arrival and comments to Steve Spurrier in the early '90s. Kiffin is nowhere near what Spurrier was then. Yet Kiffin's received more media attention relative to his peers than Spurrier ever has. And he hasn't even won a college game yet.

Look at the secondary violation issue. Last year, NCAA member institutions reported almost 4,000 of them, the bigger the program, the more likely the violations are to occur. In 2005-06 alone, Oklahoma reported 46. These secondary violations don't really matter. Yet each of Kiffin's has been covered as an individual story.
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Here's the real crux of the matter, what makes ESPN's deal with the SEC different than their deals with the NBA, MLB, or the NFL. They've selected one particular conference and anointed them as the all-powerful king. Unlike pro sports where every team gets an equal chance at a championship, college sports are governed by perception. How do we decide who plays for the national championship in football? Our perception of who we think is the best. How do we seed teams in the NCAA basketball tournament? Our perception of which conference or team is the best. How do recruits decide which schools to attend? Their perception of who is the best.
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ESPN's Latest Obsession: The SEC -- NCAA Football FanHouse
 
#2
#2
"...the SEC signed a new $2.25 billion television rights deal with ESPN... now on the hook for $150 million per year for the next 15 years"

That explains the obsession. Good read. Thanks Sab.:thumbsup:
 
#3
#3
Great post!!! + 1,000,000

Now, if UT will take care of business on the football field. UT will be the talk of the nation, not Teebow and the Gators. ESPN will be all over us like they are UF now. I sure do hope it happens very soon!!!!!!!
 
#5
#5
Of course they're covering the SEC. They just spent a crapload of money for the SEC to be their premiere football conference throughout the season.

And what with all the Lane Kiffin issues? Here you go, in a nutshell or two....

1. Lane Kiffin signed 2 #1 players and 1 #2 player within 3 months of recruiting, one of these players being the #1 overall pick.
2. Tennessee is still considered a high-profile program even though we've had 2 losing seasons in 4 years.
3. Lane Kiffin has been in the middle of controversy since he was fired from the Raiders.
4. Kiffin has incorrectly attacked our current biggest rival's head coach, the same head coach who has won 2 NC's in 3 years.
5. All of this is like a male soap opera, and ESPN feels that if they're throwing all of this money at the SEC, then they'll cover whoever, whenever, and do it however much they want. Kiffin is the goat. So be it.

Back to the contracts, look what happened just a couple years ago when ESPN was executing their contracts with the Big 11. The Big 11 was getting plenty of airtime and all the talk of OSU advancing to the NC. Or could it be Michigan. Or could it be PSU. then OSU got thwapped twice.

Now that ESPN's money is being thrown our way, not only will we be able to talk the talk, but ESPN will talk the talk for us.
 
#6
#6
I read on another post what I think is the answer,,,,,, the fascination with CLk,,,, ESPN needs the protagonist and CLK helped nominate himself to the position, taking all of us along for the ride. I believe the decision to put Tennessee in this light is an executive decision, a purposeful calculated decision. They need the bad guy. Good Vs Evil sells. This makes for great TV.

No other idea makes more sense,,, 6 secondaries and we are plastered all over the tube? And none of this works without the huge TV contract listed above by Sab.

We are the Evil Empire to everyone else being the Force. Or for Volman 38 - Iron Sheik vs Jim Duggan.
 
#7
#7
I think the equation needed an antagonist, UF probably did enough over the past 3 years to lock down the protagonist role, as far as ESPN is concerned.
 
#8
#8
Is it possible this team could go into Gainesville and accomplish the same thing to the Gators the Vols did to Auburn/Bo Jackson? Dare I even hope?
 
#9
#9
checkerboards09 said:
The title of this thread should read, ESPNS OBSESSION FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS : LANE KIFFIN
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Exactly. It is a funny thing that Kiffin has had 6 minor violations and ESPN has been all over each one of them but Florida has had 4 players arrested from their National Championship team since January of this year and you haven't heard a thing about it.

You are exactly right, it should read Kiffin and not SEC.
 
#10
#10
Apparently that guy Al Davis is pullin cash from under the bed Dave Casper made him to buy out anti-Kiffin shat.
 
#11
#11
dan4vols said:
Is it possible this team could go into Gainesville and accomplish the same thing to the Gators the Vols did to Auburn/Bo Jackson? Dare I even hope?
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Was a different time and place and UT had the team back then....This team is nowhere near that level...We will most likely get steam rolled in gainesville, But it will be a learning situation....If We play good and strong and smart that game then everybody sits up and notice's the improvement and THEN the excitement will reach bigger levels....Do not expect the world this first season but enjoy the improvement and look forward to better times ahead.
 
#13
#13
dan4vols said:
Is it possible this team could go into Gainesville and accomplish the same thing to the Gators the Vols did to Auburn/Bo Jackson? Dare I even hope?
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Unless Florida sustains about 10 injuries to starters on both the offense and defense, NO!
 
#14
#14
All of this is so silly. Its all about the money.

Which SEC teams have the biggest national following? In no particular order, Alabama, LSU, Florida, Tennessee.
Tennessee has a new young coach who isn't even 35 yet. The man has ruffled feathers, stolen players, and landed top players in a matter of months. Couple that with having the top staff in the nation and a NFL legend for a DC and there is your story.
Most of this is a continuation from the circus that is the Raiders. Now there is interest from Raiders fans, West Coast sports followers, college football followers in general, and especially the South.
Now add to the fact that ESPN has pumped money into the SECOND and that it is the summer, and there is your formula for a story.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
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