The SEC football’s 10-year television contract with ABC and ESPN is worth about $3 billion. So, you might conclude the conference is set for life.

You might conclude that if you have been living in a cave. Not that there’s anything wrong with living in a cave, but it could give you a warped sense of financial matters.

Inflation is on the rise. Expenses are, too.

College football will soon begin sharing its revenue with college football players. Imagine that.

Revenue sharing won’t mark the end of NIL deals. Players will continue to capitalize on their name, image, and likeness. My guess is they will capitalize more next year and the year after that.

You think $300 million a year in TV revenue for an entire conference assures your member schools of financial security? Don’t be silly.

One thing I have learned from covering college sports for decades: Colleges never have enough money – no matter how much television networks are willing to throw their way.

Fortunately, the NCAA is aware that colleges – despite the ramped-up television deals – remain at risk for abject poverty.  I assume that’s why it will allow corporate-sponsor advertisements on football fields this regular season.

This decision wasn’t impulsive. Both an NCAA panel and a committee signed off on this in a wonderful example of bureaucratic collaboration.

Don’t get the wrong idea. Players won’t have their helmets tattooed with business logos. Nor will the Aflac duck be permitted to waddle along the sideline with a football coach.

Only three corporate advertisements will be allowed – one at the 50-yard line and two other smaller ones in yet-to-be-named spots. And I’m sure such advertisements will be subtle and tasteful, so as not to detract from the natural beauty of a football field.

Maybe, that’s how it will start out. But that’s not how it will end up.

Who finds one oil well on his property and proclaims: “We’re good now. Let’s go plant some trees.” Instead, they will search feverishly to find more oil-producing wells.

Once colleges realize how much money they can rake in from corporate advertisements, do you think they will shout to the heavens: “That’s all we need”?

If you answered “yes,” go back to your cave.

I envision a field fraught with commercials since there is so much open space available for the taking. As any self-respecting corporate CEO will tell you, open space is lost money.

I envision future fields with a corporate sponsor every 20 yards. A national car manufacture could sponsor one 10-yard line. A major insurance company could sponsor a 30. Of course, goal-line advertising will cost more.

ADAMS: College football players, not other athletes, should receive their revenue sharing

And why not put the goal posts to work, too?

A corporate banner could be draped over the crossbar. Corporate flags could dangle from the top of the uprights, which will be the focal point of millions of viewers when a game-deciding field-goal attempt flies through the sky.

The sky will remain unspoiled by corporate logos – at least, until some clever CEO figures out how to put that open space to work.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.

Although Ohio State football missed out on one of its top running back targets in Jordon Davison after he committed to Oregon, the Buckeyes are still looking for a third running back in the 2025 class.

Bo Jackson and Isaiah West are currently in the fold, as the pursuit of another continues. Tennessee back, Shekai Mills-Knight, could be an option, as the 6-foot, 1-inch and 217-pounder narrowed down his list to eight schools with a commitment coming soon.

The 247Sports Composite Rankings has him as their No. 442 overall prospect and 33rd back, but his offer list is quite impressive considering the “lower” ranking. There is one part of Mills-Knight recruitment that makes it seem like Ohio State might not be an option.

Committing soon‼️ where’s home ?? 🏡 pic.twitter.com/sGcdGDe21c

— Shekai Mills-Knight ⭐️ (@sk_begreat) June 29, 2024

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He has yet to make an official visit, as he has done so with multiple of his other finalists. Until Mills-Knight does that, he should not be seen as a realistic possible future commitment.

Contact/Follow @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Michael Chen on X. 

The Tennessee Titans knew their secondary needed an upgrade after they struggled in the 2023 season.

They allowed 67.8 percent of passes to be completed, which was the third-highest mark in the NFL behind the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings. But that’s part of the reason why the Titans made some moves in the offseason to address the secondary.

Tennessee made some bold decisions, trading for Kansas City Chiefs two-time Super Bowl champion L’Jarius Sneed and signing veteran Chidobe Awuzie from the Cincinnati Bengals, who had Brian Callahan on the coaching staff before he was hired by the Titans this offseason.

Tennessee’s improvements in the secondary prompted The 33rd Team writer and analyst Dan Pizzuta to label them as one of the four most improved position groups in the NFL.

“The Titans made a massive effort to turn that group around. It started with signing Chidobe Awuzie in free agency. Awuzie played through a herniated disc for parts of last season, which led to up-and-down play, but he’s been a plus corner in coverage for much of his career and is expected to be healthy this season,” Pizzuta wrote.

“On the opposite side, the Titans made their biggest move by trading for L’Jarius Sneed. Sneed was one of the league’s best cornerbacks last season with Kansas City and ranked 11th in adjusted yards allowed per coverage snap. Sneed is a physical outside corner who can play aggressive coverage and lock down opposing No. 1 receivers.”

With Awuzie and Sneed teaming up with Roger McCreary in the cornerback room and being part of a defense coordinated by Dennard Wilson, the Titans can project to be better than they were in the 2023 season.

Each of the last three Super Bowls have had either Awuzie or Sneed playing, so having players that have proven to be part of winning cultures and combinations should help the Titans piece together their own standards.

Awuzie, Sneed and the rest of the Titans are getting in their final weeks of vacation before they report to training camp on Tuesday, July 23.

Make sure you bookmark All Titans for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!