It’s a new day in the South with the beloved SEC officially moving to ABC and ESPN.
To the dismay of many and joy of some, the era of SEC on CBS every Saturday afternoon is officially over with the television deal having expired.
The official logo was revealed for the SEC on ABC and has received a lot of feedback online, most of it negative.
Today at #DisneyUpfront, ESPN offered a first look at its new #SEConABC shield logo and unveiled the first game matchup: https://t.co/34QjAY8pqS
This fall, @SEC on @ABCNetwork branding will also have new graphics, music and more. pic.twitter.com/nM0PBeUYQ7
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) May 14, 2024
Some of the reactions were positive with users commenting on the sleekness of the design:
SEC on CBS already looked great, and somehow Disney/ESPN/ABC went and topped it. https://t.co/aLqzhbvoZ3
— Carson Fowler (@CarsonFowlerTV) May 14, 2024
Okay I can’t lie that is clean. https://t.co/gP612VEEa1
— Alston Geers (@ColACGeers) May 14, 2024
But the majority of users were against it due to nostalgia surrounding the CBS logo and broadcast that fans had become so accustomed to over the years:
The SEC voluntarily bailing on CBS is the biggest fumble in college sports media history https://t.co/ButNRQaTMk
— Dan Bayens (@danbayens) May 14, 2024
Man this isn't gonna feel the same https://t.co/TPmINE2zlg
— Penalty Talk (@PenaltyTalk) May 14, 2024
They paid all that money for the rights, and they give us this boring logo? https://t.co/SfWYsm9lea
— KD (@notkdk3) May 14, 2024
No matter how fans feel about it, change is inevitable especially when it comes to television rights surrounding the most lucrative league in college sports.
While it surely will take some getting used to, fans will likely eventually warm up to the SEC on ABC as soon as the players step onto the field and football season is back.
Of course, the music selection will also be critical with the SEC on CBS theme becoming arguably the most iconic sports television song of all time.
The ball in in ABC’s court, and hopefully the network realizes the gravity of what it has just taken on.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP
