Has nothing to do with popularity. It's all about the dollars and regardless of what you might have heard, Missouri is going to take a hit financially by going to the SEC. Not to mention, does any other SEC school have a program?
I think you are correct that no other SEC school has a program. But Missouri will probably still wrestle most of their wrestling schedule here in the Midwest area as they do now.
However, I do agree that the financial aspect is the overriding decision maker with college athletic departments. That is why the salaries for football and basketball coaches are so high especially compared to a college wrestling coach. It is also why college scholarships for the average football and basketball players are full rides in comparison to partial wrestling scholarships.
It is also why I so firmly believe that the wrestling community needs to step up more and financially support our college wrestling programs across the board or we will continue to lose programs and college wrestling and academic programs for our youth. This is also why I have been so actively trying to promote the new Kansas College Wrestling Fund on this forum. Unfortunately it does not seem to be generating the same amount of interest as the drive to sign the Division I petition did a few years ago. I am not sure if that is because the KCWF is not for a potential Division I university or if it is just more difficult for people to make a financial donation vs. just signing a petition. If everyone would be willing to make small donations it could make a huge difference. We have about 15,000 USAW-KS members and high school wrestlers. If we averaged donations of $10 per wrestler that is $150,000 a year right there. Then if we could develop an alumni base of at least 1,000 additional donors like myself who would committ to $100 to $120 a year, we would be up to $250,000 a year. I know people probably think I am very unrealistic about this but I think that is really what is ultimately needed to make a difference and I do not think it is unreasonable amounts from either group. I just believe if the Kansas wrestling community wants Kansas college wrestling to prosper and grow that we need to be willing to pay for it and make that committment. I know I am impatient to see this type of committment.
