ACC replacement list: UConn, USF, Memphis, Tulane, Washington State, Oregon State

[ninety-nine]

I kind of feel that way (re: BC), but honestly, at this point I'd love to just absorb all the remnants of the ACC and improve the BE. Maybe we hold BC in the wind for a month or two and publicly embarrass them before letting them in

Demand that their AD walk 20 laps around the UConn campus wearing a sign that says "We tried to kill UConn sports, but you're just better than us."

 

[Bongo Fury]

Even the dregs of the ACC leftovers would be much than the AAC. Even if they're paid under a worst case scenario say $15 million per school in media dollars, that's still about twice or the big east is likely to get paid in a best case scenario.

And CFP payouts

 

[Patrick79]

And CFP payouts

I'm pretty sure they're already renegotiating that to give the SEC and B12 around 60% and peanuts to everyone else. When the ACC collapses, they'll be in G5 territory

 

[Exit 4]

My concern with the BE/ACC remainders merger is that it would very unstable. Yes, I realize the irony given the possible origins of the this merger. However, the moment it is form there will be cloak and dagger again to leave. The BE/ACC remainders conf could have a very short life, like the BE expansion with TCU and SDST that never was.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

My concern with the BE/ACC remainders merger is that it would very unstable. Yes, I realize the irony given the possible origins of the this merger. However, the moment it is form there will be cloak and dagger again to leave. The BE/ACC remainders conf could have a very short life, like the BE expansion with TCU and SDST that never was.

True but any merger, in my opinion, means that the ACC leftovers are basically out. There are only so many spots left in the SEC/B1G/B12 unless the conferences go to 24-26 which would be insanity.

 

[billybud]

There have been sports boards posters who think that there are old line Tobacco Road honchos that would like to see UNC, Duke, NC State, Virginia hang together and emphasize basketball.

Round ball is their #1...and some point to bringing along Wake Forest, VT. No real desire for BC/Cuse.

 

[CL82]

If they’re left with 7 schools, the only way I’d join would be as a football only. UConn would be in the drivers seat. It would be up BC, Cuse, and others to figure out where to try and park their basketball. And it would be sweet revenge to prevent BC from rejoining the Big East

I'm not convinced that they'll only be left with seven schools, but even if that were the case rejoining the big east doesn't help them for football. I still think the ACC leftovers are worth more than the rest of the big east conference. That may not be fair. it may not reflect the results on the court. But there is a perception that every P5 school is somehow better than any G5 school particularly those who don't play football. Seton Hall learned that lesson this year.

 

[CL82]

I kind of feel that way (re: BC), but honestly, at this point I'd love to just absorb all the remnants of the ACC and improve the BE. Maybe we hold BC in the wind for a month or two and publicly embarrass them before letting them in

Um, they can rot in hell.

 

[freescooter]

There have been sports boards posters who think that there are old line Tobacco Road honchos that would like to see UNC, Duke, NC State, Virginia hang together and emphasize basketball.

Round ball is their #1...and some point to bringing along Wake Forest, VT. No real desire for BC/Cuse.

There are such people around Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh. Historically the ACC is a basketball centric league with good, not great, football. Florida State has never been a great fit. They were unbeaten in the league for something like 7 years, for heaven sakes.

 

[NH Husky]

I'm not convinced that they'll only be left with seven schools, but even if that were the case rejoining the big east doesn't help them for football. I still think the ACC leftovers are worth more than the rest of the big east conference. That may not be fair. it may not reflect the results on the court. But there is a perception that every P5 school is somehow better than any G5 school particularly those who don't play football. Seton Hall learned that lesson this year.

I hear ya.
I think the reality is that any moves made have to be considered as interim fixes at best.
I can easily see the end game being different conference structures by revenue generating sports. Just like what’s done with college hockey now. So football only, hoops only, hockey only, and baseball only. Plus regional Olympic sports. Each having multiple levels. All geared around the different fan base cultures.
And each of those conferences need to figure out how they generate revenue in the ever evolving playing field - paying college athletes, streaming, nil, etc)
That may happen as soon as 5-10 years.

 

[uchusky32]

If they’re left with 7 schools, the only way I’d join would be as a football only. UConn would be in the drivers seat. It would be up BC, Cuse, and others to figure out where to try and park their basketball. And it would be sweet revenge to prevent BC from rejoining the Big East

A merge to be old BE would be best for us. Keep both brands, ACC and BE for 2 divisions for basketball.

 

[KryHavok]

Um, they can rot in hell.

As a former alter boy, BC can rot in perpetuity. This is what I'd tell them.

 

[CL82]

I hear ya.
I think the reality is that any moves made have to be considered as interim fixes at best.
I can easily see the end game being different conference structures by revenue generating sports. Just like what’s done with college hockey now. So football only, hoops only, hockey only, and baseball only. Plus regional Olympic sports. Each having multiple levels. All geared around the different fan base cultures.
And each of those conferences need to figure out how they generate revenue in the ever evolving playing field - paying college athletes, streaming, nil, etc)
That may happen as soon as 5-10 years.

That would actually be ideal for us. I doubt it happens because there are too many stakeholders who under perform and are still rewarded in the current system.

 

[NH Husky]

A merge to be old BE would be best for us. Keep both brands, ACC and BE for 2 divisions for basketball.

Unless the Big 12 comes in and grabs us first. We actually are in a lynch pin role regarding that. And the Big 12 could put another feather in their cap taking down the ACC for good too

 

[Patrick79]

Thats why they have to make it REALLY pricey for FSU to leave. If others have to pay the same, they will have over a billion in reserve if they all leave. That will go a long way.

Everything I've seen seems to be pointing to the ACC being in really bad shape w/ the lawsuit and that they're going to lose FSU no matter what. The most likely case being that they have to settle with FSU and that they are not in the drivers seat given the June ESPN contract option.

 

[freescooter]

That would actually be ideal for us. I doubt it happens because there are too many stakeholders who under perform and are still rewarded in the current system.

Right. And it would recreate the football-basketball thing again. Whatever deal is made the basketball onlies would want a bigger piece of the pie than they deserve, as would the non-productive members. I think for us the best result is to join the ACC for all sports. I’m not convinced that UNC is B10 bound. More likely Virginia, but it’s Miami who is lobbying for the Big. You need to bring $70-75 million in value to make it worth while for the Big to add you. And most of that needs to be football. I think the ACC loses Clemson, FSU maybe 1 more of Miami, UNC, Virginia. I can’t imagine where this wholesale flight are going. And I don’t think any of those 3 bring enough honestly. I also think we have a relationship with the ACC. Maybe not formal, but look at our football schedule over the next few years and the past few. We pretty much play 3 ACC schools a year. This year it’s Syracuse, Duke, Wake. I think next year Syracuse and Duke, with 1 game still to be scheduled. Don’t be surprised if it is another ACC team. In out years we have UNC, Syracuse, PITT, Duke, Wake and I think BC. We ought to be at a minimum working to formalize that for 4 games/year. Plus play at least 2 basketball games like UNC, Virginia

 

[Kolumbo]

the acc discards could end up in the aac. full circle, as it were. I'd like to see some type of big east/acc merger but I don't think it would ever happen.

 

[Patrick79]

Right. And it would recreate the football-basketball thing again. Whatever deal is made the basketball onlies would want a bigger piece of the pie than they deserve, as would the non-productive members. I think for us the best result is to join the ACC for all sports. I’m not convinced that UNC is B10 bound. More likely Virginia, but it’s Miami who is lobbying for the Big. You need to bring $70-75 million in value to make it worth while for the Big to add you. And most of that needs to be football. I think the ACC loses Clemson, FSU maybe 1 more of Miami, UNC, Virginia. I can’t imagine where this wholesale flight are going. And I don’t think any of those 3 bring enough honestly.

I think that is possible, but for me it is hard to imagine that the ACC loses let's say two top dollar contributors, then loses it's ESPN contract and there isn't a panic among the remaining big brands in the ACC since they know it's a slow death awaiting them. SO...I'd expect them to at least try to lobby and find spaces in the other three leagues and I have to believe the B12 would take in a handful and they would be fast to join.

 

[freescooter]

I think that is possible, but for me it is hard to imagine that the ACC loses let's say two top dollar contributors, then loses it's ESPN contract and there isn't a panic among the remaining big brands in the ACC since they know it's a slow death awaiting them. SO...I'd expect them to at least try to lobby and find spaces in the other three leagues and I have to believe the B12 would take in a handful and they would be fast to join.

I think the outcome is much closer to the B12 outcome. It loses a couple of teams, and backfills with UConn, and whoever make sense of the rest of the list.

The other thing I think people are sleeping on a bit is the potential that the Mountain West gets an upgrade of sorts. There really isn’t a west coast league any more and they could be effective in filling that role. I’m not convinced that ACC membership will work for the Cal and Stanford group. And you really kind of lose the entire west coast I think, so there is an opportunity for a conference to be attractive. They are already doing some of that in basketball. Football is pretty decent. Add WSU and OState, With a better deal it could likely compete with the P3 and 4.

 

[NH Husky]

One thing for sure, this summer is going to be fun and interesting to watch.
I would love if we ended up in the Big 12 with some formal tie in with the Big East. Returning to the Big East is what rejuvenated our brand, and I would much rather than the turn coats who ran off to the ACC. Could care less what happens to them. They had a lot more money and favorable circumstances (rivals brought with them) to get it done and couldn’t. Our AD management is many levels above there’s.
Our worse case is another kick in the jewelry - been through many and are still standing tall. Best case we are in a conference where, if we invest wisely, we can increase our P2 appeal.

 

[CL82]

I think that is possible, but for me it is hard to imagine that the ACC loses let's say two top dollar contributors, then loses it's ESPN contract and there isn't a panic among the remaining big brands in the ACC since they know it's a slow death awaiting them. SO...I'd expect them to at least try to lobby and find spaces in the other three leagues and I have to believe the B12 would take in a handful and they would be fast to join.

It really depends on whether or not ESPN wants the ACC to be viable post departures. It may but at a discounted rate. How discounted is the question.

 

[NH Husky]

It really depends on whether or not ESPN wants the ACC to be viable post departures. It may but at a discounted rate. How discounted is the question.

My guess would be original AAC level. But it depends how deep those departures go. If all that stuff about ACC and ESPN stuff happens this summer, I’m sure Cal/Stanford consider going back to make a go of the PAC. SMU probably stays, maybe backfill Tulane and USF (if available). I said somewhere else I’d only want us in as a football only.
The ACC is clueless when it comes to good alignment decisions.

 

[CL82]

My guess would be original AAC level. But it depends how deep those departures go. If all that stuff about ACC and ESPN stuff happens this summer, I’m sure Cal/Stanford consider going back to make a go of the PAC. SMU probably stays, maybe backfill Tulane and USF (if available). I said somewhere else I’d only want us in as a football only.
The ACC is clueless when it comes to good alignment decisions.

Cal/Stanford have granted a GOR through 2036. So they each would be liable for $135 million plus whatever the buyback of the GOR would be. Unless the ACC to exist, I think they're stuck.

 

[NH Husky]

Cal/Stanford have granted a GOR through 2036. So they each would be liable for $135 million plus whatever the buyback of the GOR would be. Unless the ACC to exist, I think they're stuck.

Didn’t that podcast guy say the GOR would disappear as a result of the FSU and Clemson suits? That’s what I was referring to when I said this summer.

 

[Patrick79]

Didn’t that podcast guy say the GOR would disappear as a result of the FSU and Clemson suits? That’s what I was referring to when I said this summer.

Yes, I think there is a good chance the GOR is toast and the ACC with it.