McLovin
Gangstas, what's up?
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2018
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There’s been a lot of discussion that the “common fan” will become less interested in college football with the move towards super conference.
However, I think 1 big factor not being taken into account is the impact sports betting will have on the interest of the games.
Last year 45 million Americans bet on the NFL and sports books industry-wide say about 40% of their handle comes from college football (~35 million bettors).
That’s a big number of people with interest in college games.
Now obviously there will be the sharks and degenerated who want to bet on a random MWC game between San Jose State and Air Force. Some because they have an edge, others because it’s the only action available at 10:30 PM on a Friday night.
But a majority of the “casual” bettors will bet on the teams they hear talked about the most all week by pundits or playing in the prime time slots… the teams from the 2 super conferences. And thus, eyeballs will be there especially as legal sports betting grows and becomes more widely available.
Iowa vs USC? Who cares. But if it’s on FOX at 4:30, the millions sitting around wanting to place a bet on a Saturday are going to tune in. Because Syracuse vs undefeated Wake Forrest is on the ACC Network no one knows how to find. And the ACC doesn’t have a tie in to the National Championship between the BIG and SEC.
I haven’t seen it mentioned, in any other thread, but think it’s a wildcard that will boost the viewership / at least offset any disgruntled traditionalists who will stop watching because “it just isn’t the same”.
However, I think 1 big factor not being taken into account is the impact sports betting will have on the interest of the games.
Last year 45 million Americans bet on the NFL and sports books industry-wide say about 40% of their handle comes from college football (~35 million bettors).
That’s a big number of people with interest in college games.
Now obviously there will be the sharks and degenerated who want to bet on a random MWC game between San Jose State and Air Force. Some because they have an edge, others because it’s the only action available at 10:30 PM on a Friday night.
But a majority of the “casual” bettors will bet on the teams they hear talked about the most all week by pundits or playing in the prime time slots… the teams from the 2 super conferences. And thus, eyeballs will be there especially as legal sports betting grows and becomes more widely available.
Iowa vs USC? Who cares. But if it’s on FOX at 4:30, the millions sitting around wanting to place a bet on a Saturday are going to tune in. Because Syracuse vs undefeated Wake Forrest is on the ACC Network no one knows how to find. And the ACC doesn’t have a tie in to the National Championship between the BIG and SEC.
I haven’t seen it mentioned, in any other thread, but think it’s a wildcard that will boost the viewership / at least offset any disgruntled traditionalists who will stop watching because “it just isn’t the same”.