ESPN unveiled the new SEC on ABC logo Tuesday, and while many fans offered rave reviews, some were not feeling the love.
Those negative reviews were mainly powered by a sense of nostalgia and loss some fans feel at seeing the SEC’s move to ABC this fall. The powerhouse football conference, which had aired its games on CBS since the early 1990s, is beginning its new 10-year, $3 billion deal with ESPN/ABC.
ESPN introduced the new logo at an advertising industry event and also announced some of the marquee matchups on this fall’s schedule. The SEC on ABC franchise kicks off with Florida hosting Miami Aug. 31. The network will reveal more details of its new branding, such as theme music and graphics, during that game.
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
Many fans loved the new logo.
New logo looking like a rare FIFA Ultimate Team card. https://t.co/hGHvJkKeH5
— Thomas Goldkamp (@ThomasGoldkamp) May 14, 2024
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
I got a real reason to stay in the crib on Saturday nights now https://t.co/LP3VDauMal
— Uncle Willie’s Son 🥂 (@JonKoolington) May 14, 2024
While some fans did offer a negative artistic critique of the logo, most “haters” just seemed to have seized on the logo’s debut as a chance to lament the end of the SEC’s longtime partnership with CBS.
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
OK, OK … I grew up in a time when Keith Jackson and ABC routinely televised the SEC. But yeah, this looks weird. https://t.co/vPvqR4eku4
— Perryn Keys (@PerrynKeys) May 14, 2024
Love it or hate it, fans can all agree on one thing.
The birth of a new era https://t.co/rFB16chuYF
— Steven Dial (@StevenDialFox4) May 14, 2024
[ESPN PR on Twitter/X]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.