Big Ten Media Days has laughable attendance compared to SEC
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Big Ten Media Days were held in Chicago for years, then in Indianapolis. But, in 2025, the annual preseason event is at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas
And it’s been a bit of an adjustment.
The move to Las Vegas was made to highlight the Big Ten’s westward expansion, with UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington joining in 2024 after years in the old Pac-12. Attendance, however, hasn’t been particularly notable.
USA Today’s Matt Hayes posted this photo of the ballroom at the Mandalay Bay during Day 3 of B1G Media Days compared to Day 3 of SEC Media Days in Atlanta, and the difference is incredibly stark:
While the B1G feels having Media Days in Vegas is a good move, coaches haven’t exactly been keen on the idea, including James Franklin.
“I think (the SEC), when they have their meetings, there’s essentially a press conference. Every single day at the end of the meetings. It keeps people talking about that conference at a time of the year, and makes them relevant,” the Penn State head coach said. “We’re not doing that. We need to be talking about the Big Ten and our programs, and the things that we have done. And making it as accessible to everybody as we possibly can, and connecting with the fans.”
While the B1G may have thought that it was doing its western teams a favor, it’s clear that teams, and media outlets, closer to its original Midwestern base (relatively speaking, in the case of Penn State) don’t share the same sentiment.
“A lot of our beat writers did not come to this because they couldn’t afford to get out here. And the majority of our teams are near Chicago, where this used to always be. The majority of our teams are near Indianapolis, where this used to be. And it creates a different environment,” Franklin said.
“I walk around the lobby, I don’t see any signage. I don’t see anything for the Big Ten. I don’t see people getting autographs. I don’t see — it’s a different vibe and it’s a different feeling.”
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
