Fresno State Is Pumping Up Its TV Market To Bolster Realignment Chances
Bulldogs are being sneaky
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Can’t blame Fresno State
Every FBS school was shaken and taken aback when it was rumored and then announced that UCLA and USC are going to join the Big Ten. Some schools are being more aggressive than others, with some giving general updates on what is best for their athletic department going forward.
Fresno State had a different approach by pointing out on Twitter that the entire Central Valley is a top-15 television market that expands as far North to Sacramento and as far South as Bakersfield. That is approximately 2.3 million people.
However, we are a bit skeptical or really want to know how many Fresno State diehards are in the state capital?
The Fresno market itself is the 55th television market and it is common to extend the radius of a school and its market since not all alumni or fans reside directly within the city limits of their school.
Including the No. 20 market that is about 170 miles North is a stretch. For reference, Nevada is closer to Sacramento than Fresno State by about 40 miles.
If you're a Fresno State football fan who lives in Sacramento, we'd love to hear from you. https://t.co/5MtpLT5Cde
— Mountain West Wire (@MWCwire) July 3, 2022
We did get a few responses on the subject. The first one is our resident Fresno State writer Matt Kenerly who dissects this tweet about market size.
I understand the intent, but lol at including all of this when Fresno-Visalia (607,200 #55) is what typically counts as the regional television market and both Bakersfield (232,010; #125) and Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto (1.46 mil; #20) are separate.https://t.co/QpaflXkHKz https://t.co/Cjilv9vBxG
— Matthew Kenerly (@MattK_FS) July 3, 2022
Others point out that the Sacramento area is more of a pro sports team with the NBA’s Kings being in town. Plus, there is a noticeable Nevada fanbase as the two cities are separated by about 130 miles, which is, as mentioned about, about 40 miles closer than Fresno to Sacramento.
As someone who grew up just outside Sacramento it’s a mix of UNR, Cal, Sac State and UC Davis alumni. No one mentions FSU. I would say UNR has a bigger grab of the region
— Brannon Lorrain (@BrannonLorrain) July 3, 2022
The Bulldogs on the field success for football over the past few years is good enough to merit consideration. Plus, market size is not really the main driving force over realignment over the past five-ish years. Brands are key, winning games, and the market can play a role in this.
The USC/UCLA move was all three but the market is huge because now the Big Ten Network can charge more in that Southern California market.
The worst thing Fresno State can do is get caught trying to benefit themselves. Will this tweet work, probably not on its own but it’s a start.
