ACC Big East merger

[buddy]

Just can’t help but look back to my childhood…. Which one of these things doesn’t belong

I cannot like this comment enough!

 

[Kolumbo]

I can't read the article at this link but there are several tweets about it. "UNC's behind-closed-doors exploration of conference realignment and its future in the ACC was known by only a code name, ACC 'in financial decline'"

Documents reveal UNC’s conference realignment approach: A code name, ACC ‘in financial decline’

UNC’s behind-closed-doors exploration of conference realignment and its future in the ACC was known by only a code name.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Kolumbo]

 

[Fishy]

I can't read the article at this link but there are several tweets about it. "UNC's behind-closed-doors exploration of conference realignment and its future in the ACC was known by only a code name, ACC 'in financial decline'"

Documents reveal UNC’s conference realignment approach: A code name, ACC ‘in financial decline’

UNC’s behind-closed-doors exploration of conference realignment and its future in the ACC was known by only a code name.

www.nytimes.com

Nothing earthshaking - looks like they hired Skadden Arps to suss out the goings on during the FSU kerfuffle.

Also, some trustees are mad because trustees do that.

 

[Ha Who]

Bureaucracy is good at studies. They hire a friend. I once worked for one where they hired a “consultant” who knew a higher up. Their recommendation was to consolidate the areas of expertise into one. 10 years later, another consultant was hired whose recommendation was to split up into areas of expertise. None of this was cheap.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Or just put someone into the commissioner's role that has those attributes?

Currently that doesn't appear to be the objective.

 

[Rufus]

I’m not sure if Memphis has sights on the Big East, but the Big East should add Dayton and Saint Louis asap.

 

[Rufus]

UNC will be fine. They can have their pick of the SEC or B1G and either would add them. Outside of Notre Dame, UNC is probably the second most likely team not in the P2 to be coveted by the P2.

 

[UConnJim]

I’m not sure if Memphis has sights on the Big East, but the Big East should add Dayton and Saint Louis asap.

St. Louis has made 1 NCAA Tournament in the last decade and averaged 5.6k fans last year. Hard no. And, Dayton doesn't move the TV needle.

 

[cellocgg]

St. Louis has made 1 NCAA Tournament in the last decade and averaged 5.6k fans last year. Hard no. And, Dayton doesn't move the TV needle.

To be fair there is only like three teams in the Big East that actually move the needle

 

[MemphisBlues]

I’m not sure if Memphis has sights on the Big East, but the Big East should add Dayton and Saint Louis asap.

Ed Scott, the Memphis AD, seemed to imply that he did contact Big East in September when Memphis was trying to figure out a way to make the PAC-12 invite work. They desperately want out of the AAC.

 

[jostar1]

I can't read the article at this link but there are several tweets about it. "UNC's behind-closed-doors exploration of conference realignment and its future in the ACC was known by only a code name, ACC 'in financial decline'"

Documents reveal UNC’s conference realignment approach: A code name, ACC ‘in financial decline’

UNC’s behind-closed-doors exploration of conference realignment and its future in the ACC was known by only a code name.

www.nytimes.com

"The Athletic obtained a previously unreported email exchange that took place around that time, April 2024, between John Preyer — the chairman of UNC’s Board of Trustees, who was integral to the school hiring Bill Belichick as its football coach in December — and former trustee Chuck Duckett.

Duckett wrote that Tar Heels officials needed to “work together to protect UNC financially and with regard to our reputation.” The focus, Duckett wrote, should be on improving UNC’s finances without private equity — the school had preliminary discussions with multiple firms, according to documents obtained by The Athletic, before opting not to proceed — and asking the league for transparency instead of an “us versus the ACC” squabble.

Preyer responded: “I firmly believe that ‘protecting UNC financially’ requires us to explore every available avenue to depart a conference that is in financial decline and is primarily serving its bottom tier schools. While Carolina once led the ACC, that time is long gone. The current Commissioner is not serving our best interests and simply ‘asking’ for transparency will not get us anywhere but would be a welcome change.”

 

[CL82]

Nothing earthshaking - looks like they hired Skadden Arps to suss out the goings on during the FSU kerfuffle.

Also, some trustees are mad because trustees do that.

There are a few good tidbits:

• They explored using private equity financing, but ultimately decided against it.
• They feel like their influence in the conference has been dramatically reduced.
• They are confident that they "will have a landing spot if things blow up."
• And my favorite quote, “Let FSU and Clemson pay the attorneys and see what happens. We all learn via their expense.”

Meanwhile, Clemson legal fees top $1 million and FSU's are probably more.

 

[ZooCougar]

It’s a total shocker. Apparently UNC has a landing spot which surprises absolutely nobody.

 

[ZooCougar]

Ed Scott, the Memphis AD, seemed to imply that he did contact Big East in September when Memphis was trying to figure out a way to make the PAC-12 invite work. They desperately want out of the AAC.

Imagine how simple this would be if the NCAA allowed football only conferences.

 

[ZooCougar]

I’m not sure if Memphis has sights on the Big East, but the Big East should add Dayton and Saint Louis asap.

No. No we should not. Stop it.

 

[Ha Who]

There are a few good tidbits:

• They explored using private equity financing, but ultimately decided against it.
• They feel like their influence in the conference has been dramatically reduced.
• They are confident that they "will have a landing spot if things blow up."
• And my favorite quote, “Let FSU and Clemson pay the attorneys and see what happens. We all learn via their expense.”

Meanwhile, Clemson legal fees top $1 million and FSU's are probably more.

Did they mention learning about lack of institutional control from us?

 

[ZooCougar]

To be fair there is only like three teams in the Big East that actually move the needle

True. But those two schools will just be another mouth to feed at best and another DePaul at worst.

 

[noeynox]

I used to think a merger with the MW made sense. Now I would say do it with the PAC12. Former BCS/P5 conferences.

 

[Kolumbo]

True. But those two schools will just be another mouth to feed at best and another DePaul at worst.

That could be the case. I do believe that conference affiliation makes a big difference. Marquette is doing much better than it was in CUSA. Creighton has improved since leaving the MVC. DePaul and Butler haven't done well. I could see how the Big East would benefit both Dayton and St. Louis much more so than the A10 could. No guarantees but the Big East is certainly a much better recruiting sell and is even a better fit geographically for them.

 

[ZooCougar]

That could be the case. I do believe that conference affiliation makes a big difference. Marquette is doing much better than it was in CUSA. Creighton has improved since leaving the MVC. DePaul and Butler haven't done well. I could see how the Big East would benefit both Dayton and St. Louis much more so than the A10 could. No guarantees but the Big East is certainly a much better recruiting sell and is even a better fit geographically for them.

Creighton and Marquette were always quality.

St. Louis is not what those schools were.

The only types of schools we should be considering are the Gonzagas and Memphises of the world.

I can tell a small time thinker whenever someone’s big idea is to add St. Louis or Dayton. Dayton might be sort of ok. But don’t call us, we’ll call you.

Honestly, I just want out of Val’s dumb conference.

 

[CL82]

Did they mention learning about lack of institutional control from us?

No classes U? Puh-lease, I think they are currently running the Masterclass on that.

 

[CL82]

That could be the case. I do believe that conference affiliation makes a big difference. Marquette is doing much better than it was in CUSA. Creighton has improved since leaving the MVC. DePaul and Butler haven't done well. I could see how the Big East would benefit both Dayton and St. Louis much more so than the A10 could. No guarantees but the Big East is certainly a much better recruiting sell and is even a better fit geographically for them.

The threshold question is whether or not our media partners would be willing to increase our media rights payments so that their addition wouldn't be dilutive. The answer, I am pretty confident, is no.

 

[Kolumbo]

The threshold question is whether or not our media partners would be willing to increase our media rights payments so that their addition wouldn't be dilutive. The answer, I am pretty confident, is no.

The conference may need to consider and weigh whether the dilutive nature of those additions are worth making the conference stronger long term. If they were additive, it would have happened already.

Creighton and Marquette were always quality.

St. Louis is not what those schools were.

The only types of schools we should be considering are the Gonzagas and Memphises of the world.

I can tell a small time thinker whenever someone’s big idea is to add St. Louis or Dayton. Dayton might be sort of ok. But don’t call us, we’ll call you.

Honestly, I just want out of Val’s dumb conference.

I didn't say those programs weren't quality, I said they were better in the Big East. Just as we would hope our football program would increase significantly in the Big 12 or ACC. Conference affiliation matters. I would wager St. Louis would get a pretty big bump joining the Big East and competing against neighbors Creighton, Butler, Xavier, Marquette, DePaul.

All these other conferences are lifting up lower programs from lower conferences and from FCS. That's how CR works. Not saying the Big East should expand, just that it may be forced to if it wants to succeed long term. And yes, I want out too.

 

[CL82]

The conference may need to consider and weigh whether the dilutive nature of those additions are worth making the conference stronger long term. If they were additive, it would have happened already

Sure, but if no conference partner is willing to invest in them, how would they be additive?

I've seen some people post well, maybe they'll improve in the future being a part of a better conference. That isn't any kind of a serious analysis, that's just wishful thinking.