Paul Finebaum reveals what will drive next wave of realignment

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum is quite aware of what will drive the next wave of realignment. If you need a hint, it starts with “T” and ends with “V.”

Well, sort of. It’s really the almighty dollar, which in turn has something to do with television in regards to how conferences strike media deals to broadcast football games.

“Well, it’s about sizzle,” Finebaum said on McElroy and Cubelic. “I think when we talked 10 years ago, 11 years ago about Texas A&M, especially Missouri, I remember making the argument when we were launching the SEC Network that you needed to get Missouri in there because you need to be on TV, whether it’s Direct TV or or some cable outlets, because of Kansas City and St. Louis. 

“You will not hear that argument again. Television has changed so much since then. So it also doesn’t matter if you’re in the same state.” 

No longer are conferences or networks worried about the regional audience when it comes to the big brands. As Finebaum put it regarding realignment, you want the big named schools constantly against each other on the field.

“There used to be the golden rule: well the SEC can’t have Florida State because they’ve already got Florida, Clemson (and) South Carolina (are in the same boat), those do not matter,” Finebaum said. “When you see Clemson on your television screen against Auburn or Alabama or Florida State and Texas or Georgia, you’re not worried about where in that state are you going to get audiences, you’re more concerned about where nationally you’ll draw.” 

Paul Finebaum ponders what’s next in realignment

If you look at the viewing audience nationwide, the bigger programs have bigger draws. It’s not rocket science dude.

Finebaum alluded to this when talking about realignment, especially the potential of Florida State and Clemson.

“If you look at all the schools that moved the other day, and if you added Florida State and Clemson to Oregon, Washington and the four from the Big 12, I strongly believe Florida State and Clemson will be the two biggest names because they have star power,” Finebaum said. “Clemson has been a power for a number of years, Florida State has been on and off the national radar screen for almost 40 years and you know they’ve dipped a little bit in recent years. But it’s still a big deal. 

“I mean, why are we excited about LSU and Florida State on Sunday night in a couple of weeks? Because they’re both really highly regarded teams, but they’re also blue chip names and that’s what that’s what I think television wants. So that’s what viewers want.”