The SEC's 30th annual football media days kick off today in Hoover, Ala. The SEC "decided to lengthen the event from three to four days, giving the conference an extra session to promote" the launch of the SEC Network. This will be the "league's last major event" before it launches the net in conjunction with ESPN. SEC Communications Dir Chuck Dunlap said that this week "will serve as a 'test run' of sorts for the network." ESPN and ESPNU are providing live coverage of the media days (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 7/14).
The conference issued about 1,100 credentials for the event, which begins with SEC Commissioner Mike Slive's annual address. The AP presents a rundown of "5 things to watch at SEC media days" (AP, 7/13). USA TODAY's Hugh Kellenberger writes under the header, "SEC Media Days: (Almost) Never A Dull Moment" (USATODAY.com, 7/13).
Meanwhile, SiriusXM Radio today will debut "The First Team," a new show on the College Sports Nation station that will air live every weekday from 7:00-10:00am ET. The show, hosted by Taylor Zarzour and Greg McElroy, will broadcast live from Hoover for the next four days (SiriusXM).
