What's the population of our entire state? People buying adds pay extra for more eyes. Missouri has KC and StL and no instate competition.
LSU was a charter member of the SEC back in 1933. As was Ole Miss, Moo U, Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee and Kentucky, all in small markets. I doubt if any of those schools would be invited to join the SEC today base solely on market size. Even in 1992 when Arkansas and South Carolina joined the priorities were different than they are today. I've never been to Columbia, SC other than drive through it but I've been to Fayetteville. At least LSU brings the New Orleans market as well as a lot of Mississippi gulf coast eyeballs.
