ACC Big East merger

[huskymedic]

Dan Hurley: Possible ACC-Big East merger 'would make tons of sense'

UConn coach Dan Hurley said an ACC-Big East merger would "make tons of sense" when asked about the issue Thursday.

awfulannouncing.com

Hearst this morning and the Courant this afternoon:

 

[ecasadoSBU]

The only thing the ACC football schools wants from the Big East is to host the tournament at Madison Square Garden.

If I were the Big East commissioner I would never merge with the ACC. The basketball schools have nothing to gain long-term and a lot to lose. They have already been through this for many years so why fall for this crap again?

The basketball-only/football school hybrid model does NOT work long term

 

[Kolumbo]

The only thing the ACC football schools wants from the Big East is to host the tournament at Madison Square Garden.

If I were the Big East commissioner I would never merge with the ACC. The basketball schools have nothing to gain long-term and a lot to lose. They have already been through this for many years so why fall for this crap again?

The basketball-only/football school hybrid model does NOT work long term

All of the Big East teams gain big-time by playing other historically good basketball programs regularly and virtually eliminates the threat of being completely shut out by future realignment. This idea of olympic sports having to follow football all over the country is going to go away at some point.

The hybrid model worked great for 20 years before the ACC poached the Big East. It works if the members are all in.

 

[jostar1]

The merger would be glorious. The ACC could organize the basketball conference any way it likes. It could have 2 completely separate divisions and have mini conference tournaments, with the winner of each mini-tourney play for the grand prize. Or 2 divisions and one large tourney. Really expands the footprint with great basketball matchups. Makes it the clear best basketball conference by far and gives it more leverage when the P2 try to split off. Leaves the Big 12 in the dust.

So you're assuming that the ACC takes our football program? Or you don't care?

 

[Kolumbo]

So you're assuming that the ACC takes our football program? Or you don't care?

Of course it takes UConn Football. Or UConn puts the kaibash on it.

 

[jostar1]

Of course it takes UConn Football. Or UConn puts the kaibash on it.

How can UConn put the kibosh on it if the other Big East schools OK it?

Remember Rule #1 of Conference Realignment.

 

[Kolumbo]

How can UConn put the kaibash on it if the other Big East schools OK it?

Remember Rule #1 of Conference Realignment.

well, I don't know if the ACC would be willing to take depaul without UConn. and Hurley is the best F ing coach in the country.

 

[uconndogs]

This is so NOT going to happen.

 

[Hoophound]

Kind of seems like there may be some legs to this. I’m surprised, but there’s talks.

 

[Patman]

All of the Big East teams gain big-time by playing other historically good basketball programs regularly and virtually eliminates the threat of being completely shut out by future realignment.

No.

 

[Patman]

well, I don't know if the ACC would be willing to take depaul without UConn. and Hurley is the best F ing coach in the country.

give you a hint, they aren't taking depaul.

 

[Stinger92860]

The ACC needs us. We can merge but basketball wastelands like Cuse, Pitt, and BC need to be dropped.

 

[Patman]

The ACC needs us. We can merge but basketball wastelands like Cuse, Pitt, and BC need to be dropped.

or what will happen is the ACC will say "no UConn". Yes, they can do it with out you.

 

[Hoophound]

More likely is the ACC screws the Big East and just takes the best brands and gives UConn a football spot. I can’t see them taking the whole league. Take UConn, SJU, NOVA, Creighton, Marquette and Georgetown. I could see PC too. I’d actually take PC before Georgetown simply because they have passionate fans.

 

[CTBballfan243]

More likely is the ACC screws the Big East and just takes the best brands and gives UConn a football spot. I can’t see them taking the whole league. Take UConn, SJU, NOVA, Creighton, Marquette and Georgetown. I could see PC too. I’d actually take PC before Georgetown simply because they have passionate fans.

Why St. John’s? They provide nothing. The ACC doesn’t need more small religious institutions. Jettison St.John’s, Seton Hall, PC, DePaul….

 

[cellocgg]

Why St. John’s? They provide nothing. The ACC doesn’t need more small religious institutions. Jettison St.John’s, Seton Hall, PC, DePaul….

I don't understand how people keep saying the Big East schools (minus UConn obviously) provide value and that a merger is worthwhile. They are the same kind of schools currently weighing the ACC down

 

[Kolumbo]

Why St. John’s? They provide nothing. The ACC doesn’t need more small religious institutions. Jettison St.John’s, Seton Hall, PC, DePaul….

Georgetown, SJU and DePaul have enrollments over 201k and endowments > $1 billion

I don't understand how people keep saying the Big East schools (minus UConn obviously) provide value and that a merger is worthwhile. They are the same kind of schools currently weighing the ACC down

Privates like Puke? The Big East has 5 teams in The Dance. ACC has 3.5.

I'll still maintain its a geography thing. cuse and pitt are in a southern based conference. they both did very well while in the big east. I mean, I have no idea why someone would go to cuse to play in the ACC. I would do everything possible as a student-athlete to go to school in VA or NC.

 

[CTBballfan243]

Georgetown, SJU and DePaul have enrollments over 201k and endowments > $1 billion


Privates like Puke? The Big East has 5 teams in The Dance. ACC has 3.5.

I'll still maintain its a geography thing. cuse and pitt are in a southern based conference. they both did very well while in the big east. I mean, I have no idea why someone would go to cuse to play in the ACC. I would do everything possible as a student-athlete to go to school in VA or NC.

Georgetown, SJU and DePaul have enrollments over 201k and endowments > $1 billion


Privates like Puke? The Big East has 5 teams in The Dance. ACC has 3.5.

I'll still maintain its a geography thing. cuse and pitt are in a southern based conference. they both did very well while in the big east. I mean, I have no idea why someone would go to cuse to play in the ACC. I would do everything possible as a student-athlete to go to school in VA or NC.

I’m sure their endowment teams are great. However their athletic teams all suck and don’t win anything.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Georgetown, SJU and DePaul have enrollments over 201k and endowments > $1 billion

I'm not sure St John's and DePaul have endowments anywhere near $1 billion.

 

[Kolumbo]

I'm not sure St John's and DePaul have endowments anywhere near $1 billion.

I read it on the interwebs where I get all my intel so who knows.

 

[cellocgg]

Georgetown, SJU and DePaul have enrollments over 201k and endowments > $1 billion

So do BC, WF, and SMU. My point was I don't see a difference between schools like Georgetown, SJU, and these ACC schools that drag the conference

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

I'm not sure St John's and DePaul have endowments anywhere near $1 billion.

They definitely don't have enrollments over 201k.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

They definitely don't have enrollments over 201k.

DePaul endowment was over 1.1 billion as of 2024
St John's endowment over 800MM

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

DePaul endowment was over 1.1 billion as of 2024
St John's endowment over 800MM

I don't doubt that, but the OP said ENROLLMENTS over 201k.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

I don't doubt that, but the OP said ENROLLMENTS over 201k.

They are both over 20k maybe that what was meant?

 

[FfldCntyFan]

DePaul endowment was over 1.1 billion as of 2024
St John's endowment over 800MM

Can you provide links?

 

[nelsonmuntz]

More likely is the ACC screws the Big East and just takes the best brands and gives UConn a football spot. I can’t see them taking the whole league. Take UConn, SJU, NOVA, Creighton, Marquette and Georgetown. I could see PC too. I’d actually take PC before Georgetown simply because they have passionate fans.

When you are clearly the #3 or #4 player in a market and you are fading, as the ACC is, you have four options:

1) Try to merge with one of the top 2 players. This is not an option for the ACC. Why would the Big 10 or SEC want to merge with the ACC?
2) Go niche. Also not an option for the ACC. Everyone is playing the same 3 major sports. It is hard to further segment the market in a way that will work for the ACC.
3) Acquire someone to try to make it a Top 3. This is where the Big East comes in. Bringing in 1 or 2 schools will not matter. The ACC needs to go big, or not bother.
4) Completely change the game. Breaking football off is a possibility, which would completely change the competitive dynamics of conference competition, but the ACC does not control this outcome.

Doing nothing is virtually certain failure, either for the ACC or any other entity that finds itself in a similar situation.

Unless the ACC thinks #4 is going to happen, it needs to do something. The other risk that the ACC runs is that another league acquires the Big East. The SEC is very unlikely to do it, but the Big 12 and Big 10 might.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

Can you provide links?

You can go to places like the Fitch Ratings site. Gives their take on a school's financial health. FY2023 DePaul endowment was at 900MM+
I was surprised too. I also queried their website and endowment. Numbers jived.

 

[Exit 4]

One of the reasons UConn-B12 talks have stalled... A lot of key CT decision makers remain steadfast in their ACC dream. Pieces like this are for that group.

Dom Amore: The ACC now needs UConn as much as UConn needs the ACC. Oh, how things change

After years of scoffing, the idea of a power conference inviting UConn finally coming from outside CT. Will a change in narrative help?

www.courant.com

 

[Blades]

FWIW...My 2 cents on any thoughts of a merger ( 4 hoops onlies). Since "full CFP access" Notre Dame and NBC never seem willing to let Indy football go.