For many Aggies, this morning was Christmas all over again as the Southeastern Conference unveiled its 2012 conference schedule. The full schedule can be viewed here.
Texas A&M's 2012 schedule looks like this so far, adding in out-of-conference games against McNeese St. on September the 1st to open up the 2012 season and the Kevin Sumlin era, and a road trip to face SMU on September 15th with the site still to be determined. Two interesting scenarios involving that game: the SMU game might be played in Cowboy Stadium to help fulfill Texas A&M's contract obligations with the stadium if the Southwest Classic is in fact moved to a home and home series; we have also heard there is potential the game may actually be played in San Antonio at the Alamodome. No doubt we will be hearing more about that game and its possible location in the future.
Back to the subject of the Southwest Classic being moved to a home and home series. The location of the game is as of right now "TBA". Many remember that three years ago both schools signed on to play an out-of-conference series at Cowboy Stadium for 10 years. With Texas A&M's move to the SEC, A&M appears to want the series moved out of Cowboy Stadium and into Kyle Field every other year. We have not been able to confirm if that is Arkansas' wishes as well.
It is surprising to us that Texas A&M would want the game moved out of Cowboy Stadium. We personally would be thrilled if it is moved to each school's campus, where it should be played. However, in an email obtained with the help of @spadilly, Texas A&M could actually lose money if the game is in fact moved.
Below is a portion of an email sent by Texas A&M Athletic Director Bill Byrne in January of 2011 in which the discussion turns to the Southwest Classic.
First note that sticks out is that Byrne states the Southwest Classic was a 30 year agreement, not the previously reported 10 year agreement.
Second, Texas A&M makes about $4 million off the game, with most of that money coming from tickets sold to the suites and club seating, compared to the $3.5 million Byrne states A&M makes off of a home game at Kyle Field. That means A&M could lose $500,000 in the move to an on-campus series.
Now, you must also take into consideration those are not hard numbers and those discussed figures could be what A&M makes if their ticket allotment for the game was sold out. Both interest and attendance of the Southwest Classic at Cowboy Stadium have been dwindling and Texas A&M may have made less than $4 million from the game this past year in ticket sales. You must also factor in other external revenue made off a home game not coming from ticket sales that could be made for Texas A&M and the Bryan/College Station community.
We do find it interesting this year's game was scheduled for September 29th, the date that had been selected for the series for some time if the game were to be played at Cowboy Stadium. Here is a look at other future dates reserved for the Southwest Classic in a separately obtained email. Mark your calendars accordingly:
It is obvious this continues to be a fluid situation with discussions ongoing on the future location of this game. It is a complicated problem with many angles to it -- from the 10 or 30 year agreement with Cowboy Stadium, finances, and even scheduled television appearances on ESPN.
However this problem is resolved, we are more than trilled to be playing our friends from Arkansas with more on the line as a SEC conference member wherever the game is played.
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