re: Report: Miami in discussions to play against Alabama or LSU

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So why would the Athletic Department schedule neutral site games if they COULD schedule home and home games and make more money?

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It's not as easy as picking up the phone and calling a team like Miami or Penn State and setting up a home and home series. Like LSU most teams on the top caliber want these one off neutral site games as well.

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The simple fact is, no matter how you slice it, the LSU AD wants to make money and they really don't owe Baton Rouge anything. LSU isn't a charity (though they still pump millions in the academic end and Baton Rouge every year). Making money = better facilities and coaches and, in turn, better recruits and a better team.

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LSU is a state university. Taxpayer dollars go to keep it open (albeit less in recent years.. thanks to the horrible arse government we have). LSU athletics ONLY exists because LSU exists. Therefore they owe the university, the city and the state a little bit of thought when scheduling these games that have such a large economic impact on both the city and state. Especially if you're going to be moving that impact to another state.

With the new TV deal, we're going to be pulling in far more money than we've ever pulled in before. Couple that with a massive increase in premium seating and the AD will be rolling in money for years to come. The difference in taking a gamble the impact of rain on a home game and a smaller guaranteed payout on a neutral site game isn't worth the negative impact on the local economy.

It's absolutely something that should be considered when making those choices and it shouldn't be viewed as a "gift" or "not owing them anything" because it's CLEARLY not the case.