Southeastern Conference officials are attending their annual
meetings this week in Destin, FL. Among the topics being
discussed:
CBS CONTRACT: CBS Sports Programming Dir Len DeLuca met
with league officials to "iron out details" of the league's
basketball contract that will call for the network to televise
five conference and five non-conference games next season. In
addition, CBS will televise the SEC's Championship game next
March. DeLuca: "This brings SEC basketball to the same level as
the Big East, Big Ten and ACC" (NEW ORLEANS TIMES-PICAYUNE,
5/30).
REVENUE SHARING: League officials are discussing a
"different formula to distribute revenues," according to the
TIMES-PICAYUNE. SEC schools split $40M in revenue last year, and
Auburn AD David Housel says any changes would be minor (NEW
ORLEANS TIMES PICAYUNE, 5/30).
EXPANSION PLANS? The league is not planning on expanding
from its current 12 team format, according to SEC President Roy
Kramer. Kramer: "We will continue to keep our options, but right
now I don't sense a mood to make further changes or add more
schools" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 5/29).
PRESEASON GAMES: League officials discussed a proposal that
Monday would allow SEC football teams to play in pre-season games
such as the Kickoff Classic. TAMPA TRIBUNE's Chris Harry reports
that a vote on the issue could come as soon as Thursday (TAMPA
TRIBUNE, 5/30).
NEAUX TO THE BIG EASY? New Orleans is likely to lose its
bid to host the football title game in '97 to Atlanta because of
Atlanta's eastern location. SEC presidents are set to vote on
the issue Thursday (TIMES PICAYUNE, 5/30).
