SEC coaches voice support for conference title game, revenue - ESPN

MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. — As the value of conference championship games in the College Football Playoff era is called into question by both coaches and administrators, several SEC coaches on Tuesday voiced support for the preservation of the SEC title game while also acknowledging it might not survive the next iteration of the CFP.

The Big Ten, ACC and Big 12 have all recently expressed support for a 24-team playoff model, which would eliminate their lucrative conference championship games.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart said his biggest concern with eliminating the SEC championship game would be lost revenue — an estimated $80 million to $100 million, according to sources.

«I don't think it's great for the transfer portal to be ending the season that late, and if that championship game is in the way of that, or gets put on the back burner because of that, I think you'd have to accept it,» Smart said. «But I'm really more worried about the financial burden that we're under right now of paying for all of the athletic department. And when you take that revenue stream [from the SEC championship game] out, can we make it work, and that is it sustainable to do without it? Would be my biggest concern.»

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said that with the conference moving to a nine-game league schedule this fall, earning a spot in the SEC championship game will be even more difficult and, in turn, rewarding.

«I think it'll be special, and so I'm hopeful that we can maintain that game,» Sarkisian said. «I don't know if that's a reality, depending on the change that potentially is coming, but in the short term, while we have it, man, I surely hope those teams that do make it, cherish it.»

Last week, Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said the