Quote:
Originally Posted by panerd
OK. But you will admit that switching a team like Missouri or West Virginia (where there really is no other major team, sorry Marshall  ) who have a loyal following to another conference will bring all those viewers over to you. I definitely watch big name SEC games but mostly watch Big 12 teams from OU and Texas down to Iowa State & K-State. So now I will switch over to still watching big time games but also a lot more "meaningless" SEC games. Maybe I'm just a diehard fan and most people aren't like this? |
I don't think that's the typical fan though. And loyal fans such as yourself can be found in any region and with any school fanbase. I think the issue is people assuming that adding a team near a major city will somehow convert that city into a rating powerhouse. People in New York don't watch college football. There is no one you can add that will bring in that market. And if Northwestern or Illinois moved to the SEC, it wouldn't convert people in Chicago at all.
And I think his reasoning behind viewing habits is spot-on. I'm in Chicago and I typically watch Big 10 games. I watch Notre Dame when they are on. Sure I catch the big SEC matchup or whatever else is running at night, but I typically follow and watch the teams in my region more. There are more alumni here and more connection to the schools.
The best example I can give is when the Big 10 added Penn State. They've never really fit in. While people watch the games, there isn't much attachment to them. I don't have much interest in their games at all even though they are in the Big 10. I only know 1 person who went there while I've probably come across multiple people from every other Big 10 school.
I think Jon is dead-on with everything he's saying. It's obvious he has dealt in advertising.