Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long has a message for outsiders who believe the Razorbacks should consider leaving the Southeastern Conference for the Big 12 because it would be better, geographically, for the program.
“It’s our decision where we fit,” Long said.
There’s no doubt in his mind it’s the SEC.
Long weighed in on expansion talk — which has included rumblings about the Razorbacks’ plans if a spot opened up in the Big 12, during an interview Monday. Previously, Long has stated Arkansas had millions of reasons, financially, to remain in the SEC. He maintained his stance.
Long said it wouldn’t make sense for the Razorbacks to leave the riches of a league oozing with exposure and loaded with financial stability.
“I think that’s a very uninformed view that we would naturally fit better in the Big 12 region,” Long said. “Certainly the SEC is the strongest conference top to bottom. Not only financially, but competitively. And our conference is a conference of strength. Not one that would be subject to losing members and such.”
Arkansas which is operating under a $57 million budget, receives roughly $17 million a year under the league’s revenue sharing plan. The SEC is also finishing its first full year under the $3 billion television contracts with ESPN and CBS.
But with expansion talk swirling this spring, the Razorbacks have been a popular target. Especially with Missouri’s reported interest in leaving the Big 12 and relocating to the Big Ten.
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier vocalized that thought when asked about expansion during last week’s SEC football teleconference.
“I’ve heard maybe Arkansas back to the Big 12 or something like that,” he said. “It could happen.”
Arkansas jumped from the Southwest Conference to the SEC along with South Carolina in the early 1990s under former athletic director Frank Broyles. It ended the school’s yearly rivalries with former SWC schools like Texas and Texas A&M, but the benefits have been immeasurable.
Long said it would be a mistake to move again.
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