Non-Key Tweets

[Hawkins]

Of course Delany is interested in the state of Virginia.

When the BIG added Maryland and even threw in Johns Hopkins for lacrosse, it was obvious they wanted to snag Virginia in the process to control the DC area.

And if Delany could ever convince UVA to join, which I personally doubt, the price tag would be adding Virginia Tech.

VT is not an AAU school but they are pretty close. And if that was the cost to add UVA, I'd imagine Delany would take that and run.

If it happened, Indiana would be put into the Western Conference to join in-state rival Purdue. VT and UVA would be put in with OSU, MSU, Michigan, Penn St, Rutgers, Maryland.

A lot of these ACC schools seem to come in package deals. Duke/UNC, UVA/VT.

So if two spots are left(who knows really), UConn doesn't want to see Virginia rumors. You want to see something like Georgia Tech.

 

[pj]

ESPN's revenue-generating conferences are the SEC and ACC, and FSU is the bell cow of the ACC. ESPN will promote it however they can - as hero or villain - as long as they avoid indifference.

But the mediocrity of the ACC is a serious problem. When billybud writes of satisfaction at Maryland's departure because they didn't provide strong football competition, he's actually voicing support for FSU's departure from the ACC.

 

[pj]

Of course Delany is interested in the state of Virginia.

When the BIG added Maryland and even threw in Johns Hopkins for lacrosse, it was obvious they wanted to snag Virginia in the process to control the DC area.

And if Delany could ever convince UVA to join, which I personally doubt, the price tag would be adding Virginia Tech.

VT is not an AAU school but they are pretty close. And if that was the cost to add UVA, I'd imagine Delany would take that and run.

If it happened, Indiana would be put into the Western Conference to join in-state rival Purdue. VT and UVA would be put in with OSU, MSU, Michigan, Penn St, Rutgers, Maryland.

A lot of these ACC schools seem to come in package deals. Duke/UNC, UVA/VT.

So if two spots are left(who knows really), UConn doesn't want to see Virginia rumors. You want to see something like Georgia Tech.

I doubt the B1G would favor UVa/VT over UVa/UConn or VT/UConn. UConn brings a second large market vs two teams in one market.

And I doubt the Virginia schools would be joined at the hip, since either would have the option of going to the SEC if indeed Virginia were raided; and UVa might still prefer a Tech-less ACC to the B1G.

 

[Sea Goat]

ESPN is not dumb...they treat college football like wrestling...build a villain...build ratings.

Sporting News:

"Face it, America. Jameis Winston-led Florida State is the nation’s favorite television show right now.

The ratings alone prove that. Regular-season games with Winston the past two seasons averaged a 3.8 Nielsen rating and 6.2 million viewers heading into Saturday. That included the Clemson game this season in which some tuned in simply to watch a suspended-Winston on the sideline . Heading into Saturday, only six other games this season had at least 6.2 million watching, and half of those games involved Alabama."

I have no use for ESPN, but you folks have built your own honest to goodness villains. We'll see.

 

[CoastAtlantic]

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
ACC running on fumes. Been told story is in "the can". Will tell of little hope for ACCN to bring $ for schools. Disney will not subsidies

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
ACCN, if it gets off ground by 2017, will provide no relief. Buy back on Raycom and Fox Sports for Content only would leave scraps.

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
Reality has set in on ACC. Disney/ESPN will procure parts of B1G TV Tier 1 contract for 2017 and beyond even before major parts........

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
....of contract even go into negotiations between Delany/FOX/ESPN/CBS?...and others. In other words.....ESPN & Delany have been talking.

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
ACCN tag along with SECN works on paper...to get distribution. But it does not leave value/money for ACC schools in mid or long term w/o...

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
...Disney just putting in money/subsidies to give ACC schools another REV Stream. One ACC AD, besides VA TECH AD, is now on record....

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
...voicing major concern about future of his schools in paying the bills in the future landscape of Collegiate Sports. Basketball $ is...

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
...becoming a lower and lower part of the total AD budget. Besides Louisville and a couple other ACC schools..Increase Football $ is needed

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
Been told there is a story written to explain all of this.....strong belief it comers today 11/18. ACC is running on fumes in new world.

Scott Wright ‏@cscottwright 3h3 hours ago
@flugempire When will this story in the can be released to the media for publication?

Greg Flugaur‏@flugempire 3h3 hours ago
@cscottwright I was told last night that it would come out today...11/18. With a current ACC AD telling his concern.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 3h3 hours ago
@flugempire If nobody goes to games nobody will subscribe or watch. Empty seats = loss of value.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 3h3 hours ago
@flugempire Bundle was always the plan. Yet ESPN already owned a majority of the rights.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 3h3 hours ago
@flugempire The value was always if ND joined as full member.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 3h3 hours ago
@flugempire I also had some chatter ESPN wanted ACC to assume at least half the startup risk.

Greg Flugaur‏@flugempire 3h3 hours ago
@theDudeofWV Been told the buy back of content is possible....tag along with SECN is possible for distribution but at a very low rate....

Greg Flugaur‏@flugempire 3h3 hours ago
@theDudeofWV ...of money coming back. ACCN is not dead on paper...but its dead in the sense of not giving ACC schools the needed REVENUE

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 3h3 hours ago
@flugempire Yea... $19 million in base isn't great. ACC gave out $ from reserve last year or the year before last.

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire 3h3 hours ago
@theDudeofWV Bottom of ACC in $ needed bump of new REV Stream in year 2017/18/19/20. Not happening. First VA TECH AD talked..now another one

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire 3h3 hours ago
@theDudeofWV I do not have name of ACC AD who just talked. But it will be out there real soon. This is what I was told.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 3h3 hours ago
@flugempire Not just the bottom... UNC & FSU worried about revenue.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 3h3 hours ago
@flugempire If someone in the ACC is worried about revenues then either @_andrewcarter or @TalkinACCSports would know. But who isn't really



ME: Translation: ACC Network will happen. Revenues would be sufficient for schools to keep up. Addition of schools could become possible in years. UCONN fans, don't despair.

 

[Lynwood Rowe]

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
ACC running on fumes. Been told story is in "the can". Will tell of little hope for ACCN to bring $ for schools. Disney will not subsidies

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
ACCN, if it gets off ground by 2017, will provide no relief. Buy back on Raycom and Fox Sports for Content only would leave scraps.

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
Reality has set in on ACC. Disney/ESPN will procure parts of B1G TV Tier 1 contract for 2017 and beyond even before major parts...

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
....of contract even go into negotiations between Delany/FOX/ESPN/CBS?...and others. In other words.....ESPN & Delany have been talking.

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
ACCN tag along with SECN works on paper...to get distribution. But it does not leave value/money for ACC schools in mid or long term w/o...

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
...Disney just putting in money/subsidies to give ACC schools another REV Stream. One ACC AD, besides VA TECH AD, is now on record....

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
...voicing major concern about future of his schools in paying the bills in the future landscape of Collegiate Sports. Basketball $ is...

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
...becoming a lower and lower part of the total AD budget. Besides Louisville and a couple other ACC schools..Increase Football $ is needed

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 3h 3 hours ago
Been told there is a story written to explain all of this.....strong belief it comers today 11/18. ACC is running on fumes in new world.

Scott Wright ‏@cscottwright 3h3 hours ago
@flugempire When will this story in the can be released to the media for publication?

Greg Flugaur‏@flugempire 3h3 hours ago
@cscottwright I was told last night that it would come out today...11/18. With a current ACC AD telling his concern.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 3h3 hours ago
@flugempire If nobody goes to games nobody will subscribe or watch. Empty seats = loss of value.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 3h3 hours ago
@flugempire Bundle was always the plan. Yet ESPN already owned a majority of the rights.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 3h3 hours ago
@flugempire The value was always if ND joined as full member.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 3h3 hours ago
@flugempire I also had some chatter ESPN wanted ACC to assume at least half the startup risk.

Greg Flugaur‏@flugempire 3h3 hours ago
@theDudeofWV Been told the buy back of content is possible....tag along with SECN is possible for distribution but at a very low rate....

Greg Flugaur‏@flugempire 3h3 hours ago
@theDudeofWV ...of money coming back. ACCN is not dead on paper...but its dead in the sense of not giving ACC schools the needed REVENUE

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 3h3 hours ago
@flugempire Yea... $19 million in base isn't great. ACC gave out $ from reserve last year or the year before last.

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire 3h3 hours ago
@theDudeofWV Bottom of ACC in $ needed bump of new REV Stream in year 2017/18/19/20. Not happening. First VA TECH AD talked..now another one

Greg Flugaur ‏@flugempire 3h3 hours ago
@theDudeofWV I do not have name of ACC AD who just talked. But it will be out there real soon. This is what I was told.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 3h3 hours ago
@flugempire Not just the bottom... UNC & FSU worried about revenue.

Christopher Lambert ‏@theDudeofWV 3h3 hours ago
@flugempire If someone in the ACC is worried about revenues then either @_andrewcarter or @TalkinACCSports would know. But who isn't really



ME: Translation: ACC Network will happen. Revenues would be sufficient for schools to keep up. Addition of schools could become possible in years. UCONN fans, don't despair.

I sort of had a different 'take away.' My impression from the above was ACC can not / will not be able to keep up with other P5. Does that not convey a general sense of dread: The B1G, SEC will take the 'good parts' of the ACC, the BXII will take what is left, and we will have P4?

 

[Dooley]

The ACC didn't just crush the Big East and install a GoR to just dissolve peacefully into the sweet P4 night. The ACC desperately needs its own network and it needs to look into expanding markets. It'll probably start with a full court press of ND, possibly even sweetening their already sweetened pot by allowing them to keep all side NBC revenue. If they're able to bring ND in full time, then they should look at markets (i.e. UCONN) for the ACCN, but will probably invite whoever is leading the AAC conference at the time that they expand (i.e. Memphis) thanks to some serious cash-blocking efforts from our backstabbing northeast private school neighbors.

 

[Lynwood Rowe]

The ACC didn't just crush the Big East and install a GoR to just dissolve peacefully into the sweet P4 night. The ACC desperately needs its own network and it needs to look into expanding markets. It'll probably start with a full court press of ND, possibly even sweetening their already sweetened pot by allowing them to keep all side NBC revenue. If they're able to bring ND in full time, then they should look at markets (i.e. UCONN) for the ACCN, but will probably invite whoever is leading the AAC conference at the time that they expand (i.e. Memphis) thanks to some serious cash-blocking efforts from our backstabbing northeast private school neighbors.

You're right, of course...sounds like the ACC is dealing from a position of strength.

 

[Dooley]

You're right, of course...sounds like the ACC is dealing from a position of strength.

In my opinion, the ACC is no weaker than the B12 on the P5 power meter. The conference to survive any sort of P4 consolidation, if there is any, will be the one that acts most aggressively to protect its interests. I've seen one of these conferences act aggressively and one that hasn't really acted at all. I think that sort of mentality should serve the ACC fine over the long-term. It will never be a SEC, but I don't think it will ever be a Big East either. I'm not as confident about the B12's future.

 

[Lynwood Rowe]

In my opinion, the ACC is no weaker than the B12 on the P5 power meter. The conference to survive any sort of P4 consolidation, if there is any, will be the one that acts most aggressively to protect its interests. I've seen one of these conferences act aggressively and one that hasn't really acted at all. I think that sort of mentality should serve the ACC fine over the long-term. It will never be a SEC, but I don't think it will ever be a Big East either. I'm not as confident about the B12's future.

Well, I really can't imagine the ACC will survive any P4 consolidation. The geographical footprint of the remaining P4 would sort of preclude the ACC coming out the other end intact, wouldn't it?

 

[HuskyHawk]

I sort of had a different 'take away.' My impression from the above was ACC can not / will not be able to keep up with other P5. Does that not convey a general sense of dread: The B1G, SEC will take the 'good parts' of the ACC, the BXII will take what is left, and we will have P4?

So no ACCN. So what? The Big XII isn't getting a network either. It isn't a kiss of death in any way shape or form. It is just a lower revenue stream than the other three. But that is in the world of TV that exists today. The BTN and SEC network could be useless in a few years, if cable goes away or is diminished, which it likely will be. The schools who own their own content and can stream to fans or via local channels may end up with an advantage.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Well, I really can't imagine the ACC will survive any P4 consolidation. The geographical footprint of the remaining P4 would sort of preclude the ACC coming out the other end intact, wouldn't it?

Why would you say that? The Geo footprint of the ACC is probably the best in the whole country. The Big XII has a horrible footprint and no markets outside of Texas.

 

[Lynwood Rowe]

So no ACCN. So what? The Big XII isn't getting a network either. It isn't a kiss of death in any way shape or form. It is just a lower revenue stream than the other three. But that is in the world of TV that exists today. The BTN and SEC network could be useless in a few years, if cable goes away or is diminished, which it likely will be. The schools who own their own content and can stream to fans or via local channels may end up with an advantage.

So, then, that's a problem..."just a lower revenue stream than the other three." That is sort of a 'thing'. Competitive advantage isn't just on the field or the court. That may actually be the least of it. Eyes are the prize - and no conference has a larger living alumni base then the B1G. It is not relevant how content is delivered (note all the advertising on your iPad, iPhone, etc.) just that it is delivered, and paid for. If you don't win the revenue stream game, you're probably not gonna win the realignment game. Ya know, for what it's worth...

 

[Lynwood Rowe]

Why would you say that? The Geo footprint of the ACC is probably the best in the whole country. The Big XII has a horrible footprint and no markets outside of Texas.

ACC will be squeezed by competing interests: Those of the B1G, and those of the SEC. PAC and BXII each have their own problems with respect to expansion, but the B1G and SEC know where the hunting is good. And the beautiful thing is the B1G and SEC have different objectives and desires, so they won't be stepping all over each other, competing for the same schools. It's (almost) as if they planned it this way...

 

[pj]

The ACC wasn't built to have a cable network. It was designed to maximize over-the-air advertising and basketball. With over-the-air revenues declining and basketball becoming less important, they find they have the wrong schools for a world in which conference cable networks drive revenue. They have to accept lower revenues. That's OK for most ACC schools, the likes of BC, Pitt, Syracuse, Louisville, Ga Tech, Miami are really middle-tier schools who deserve middle-tier revenues.

The Big XII isn't really built for cable networks either, except for the state of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, which is pretty limited -- less than a tenth of the country.

If they have to have the same revenue as the B1G, SEC, and Pac, then the Big XII and ACC could rearrange themselves into a "best of" conference with a western division (Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas Tech or TCU or Baylor, Ok State, Kansas State) and eastern division (UNC, UVa, FSU, Miami, Clemson, Ga Tech) with Va Tech going to the B1G, and everybody else forming a "Big East lite" like we would have had if the Big XII leftovers had joined the Big East a few years ago.

On that rearrangement, UConn either joins the B1G with Va Tech or joints the "Big East lite" with BC/Cuse/Pitt/Ville.

 

[Lynwood Rowe]

Look HuskyHawk, I don't have a dog in the hunt. It's just an opinion. Feel free to dismiss it.

 

[Lynwood Rowe]

Of course Delany is interested in the state of Virginia.

When the BIG added Maryland and even threw in Johns Hopkins for lacrosse, it was obvious they wanted to snag Virginia in the process to control the DC area.

And if Delany could ever convince UVA to join, which I personally doubt, the price tag would be adding Virginia Tech.

VT is not an AAU school but they are pretty close. And if that was the cost to add UVA, I'd imagine Delany would take that and run.

If it happened, Indiana would be put into the Western Conference to join in-state rival Purdue. VT and UVA would be put in with OSU, MSU, Michigan, Penn St, Rutgers, Maryland.

A lot of these ACC schools seem to come in package deals. Duke/UNC, UVA/VT.

So if two spots are left(who knows really), UConn doesn't want to see Virginia rumors. You want to see something like Georgia Tech.

Rubbish! Complete, unadulterated rubbish!

 

[bobbyinaz]

So no ACCN. So what? The Big XII isn't getting a network either. It isn't a kiss of death in any way shape or form. It is just a lower revenue stream than the other three. But that is in the world of TV that exists today. The BTN and SEC network could be useless in a few years, if cable goes away or is diminished, which it likely will be. The schools who own their own content and can stream to fans or via local channels may end up with an advantage.

Except the B12 is getting more money on their deal per school PLUS they get to sell their own Tier 3 rights. Obviously the LHN gives UT a ton of revenue but, schools like Kansas, Oklahoma & even West Virginia have recently signed very large Tier 3 deals.

These Tier 3 deals plus the $25MM they get from their Tier 1 & 2 network deal pays most of the B12 schools over $30MM per year. When you compare that to the $19MM the ACC schools get for all Tier 1, 2 & 3 rights it represents a significant delta in revenue. The ACC is #5 in revenue & is well behind the others. More importantly, it is primarily surrounded by the SEC & the B1G who are going to pay more than double to it's member schools when the B1G deal gets done in a couple years.

Regardless of whether "cable goes away" or not (which it will most likely not, however there is a chance there will be some un-bundling) individual schools are not going to own their own content. It will still be owned by a conference. How the content gets viewed will likely change but, it will never be free.

At the end of the day, the ACC schools will receive much less than the schools they are competing with. In the new NCAA P5 world that will allow for insurance payments, scholarships for life, stipends etc. this is a huge hurdle for them.

 

[huskypantz]

Except the B12 is getting more money on their deal per school PLUS they get to sell their own Tier 3 rights. Obviously the LHN gives UT a ton of revenue but, schools like Kansas, Oklahoma & even West Virginia have recently signed very large Tier 3 deals.

These Tier 3 deals plus the $25MM they get from their Tier 1 & 2 network deal pays most of the B12 schools over $30MM per year. When you compare that to the $19MM the ACC schools get for all Tier 1, 2 & 3 rights it represents a significant delta in revenue. The ACC is #5 in revenue & is well behind the others. More importantly, it is primarily surrounded by the SEC & the B1G who are going to pay more than double to it's member schools when the B1G deal gets done in a couple years.

Regardless of whether "cable goes away" or not (which it will most likely not, however there is a chance there will be some un-bundling) individual schools are not going to own their own content. It will still be owned by a conference. How the content gets viewed will likely change but, it will never be free.

At the end of the day, the ACC schools will receive much less than the schools they are competing with. In the new NCAA P5 world that will allow for insurance payments, scholarships for life, stipends etc. this is a huge hurdle for them.

The B12 will have downstream challenges. Their reach is limited to Texas and a handful of pockets of small populations. They are an increasingly regional conference and they know it.

 

[bingethinker]

So no ACCN. So what? The Big XII isn't getting a network either. It isn't a kiss of death in any way shape or form. It is just a lower revenue stream than the other three. But that is in the world of TV that exists today. The BTN and SEC network could be useless in a few years, if cable goes away or is diminished, which it likely will be. The schools who own their own content and can stream to fans or via local channels may end up with an advantage.

First, let me say that I don't think the ACCN will happen, but not because cable TV is going away. I think you underestimate how many people still use CRT tvs and DSL. There are people -- a lot of people -- who simply are not ready to consume television content primarily via the internet. Not everyone has (or wants) Roku, Apple TV, or Chromecast. Twenty years from now, cable TV will still be here. I do think you'll start to see lots more networks simulcast live broadcasts to web-based apps and such like BTN does, but an existing television network will lose a lot of subscribers by leaving TV and going internet based. I just don't see over-the-top content sweeping the nation and leaving cable distributors with their wangs in the wind.

 

[jostar1]

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 53m 53 minutes ago
I have asked and the story (ACC network will not put $$ in ACC Schools pockets if created) has not been made public. 11/18 date has turn...

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 52m 52 minutes ago
..turned out to be incorrect. I apologize for the date being incorrect. I have been told again the story is true and a current ACC AD....

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 52m 52 minutes ago
...concerns about the failure of the ACC Network in the future to increase $ and value to schools is the main/important point of the story.

 

[Husky25]

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 53m 53 minutes ago
I have asked and the story (ACC network will not put in ACC Schools pockets if created) has not been made public. 11/18 date has turn...

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 52m 52 minutes ago
..turned out to be incorrect. I apologize for the date being incorrect. I have been told again the story is true and a current ACC AD....

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 52m 52 minutes ago
...concerns about the failure of the ACC Network in the future to increase $ and value to schools is the main/important point of the story.

Was anyone really holding their breath for a 5CSMA AD to commit career suicide?

 

[HuskyHawk]

First, let me say that I don't think the ACCN will happen, but not because cable TV is going away. I think you underestimate how many people still use CRT tvs and DSL. There are people -- a lot of people -- who simply are not ready to consume television content primarily via the internet. Not everyone has (or wants) Roku, Apple TV, or Chromecast. Twenty years from now, cable TV will still be here. I do think you'll start to see lots more networks simulcast live broadcasts to web-based apps and such like BTN does, but an existing television network will lose a lot of subscribers by leaving TV and going internet based. I just don't see over-the-top content sweeping the nation and leaving cable distributors with their wangs in the wind.

It isn't going to happen overnight. All I am saying is that for all the noise about conference TV channels, the overall value of such a channel, as a concept, it slated to decline, not increase, in coming years.

I think the ACC did the GOR for a few reasons, but among them was an understanding that they have some of the richest, fastest growing markets in the country. Geographically, they are in great shape. The Big XII on the other hand, is a basket case and is surrounded. We went though this a year ago, and Frank the Tank captured it well, the only thing the Big XII has going for it is the contract. Aside from that, the ACC is more culturally, academically and geographically cohesive.

I am not convinced that the P5 will become the P4, as I think it would leave too many schools on the sidelines. But if it does, it's the Big XII that will be gone.

 

[pj]

The big question is did the ACC GoR have an out if no ACCN is formed, or if ACC compensation is well below other conferences?

There were Twitter rumors to that effect. If so, the Virginia schools have to be talking to the B1G and exploring options.

 

[Stinger92860]

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 53m 53 minutes ago
I have asked and the story (ACC network will not put in ACC Schools pockets if created) has not been made public. 11/18 date has turn...

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 52m 52 minutes ago
..turned out to be incorrect. I apologize for the date being incorrect. I have been told again the story is true and a current ACC AD....

Greg Flugaur @flugempire · 52m 52 minutes ago
...concerns about the failure of the ACC Network in the future to increase $ and value to schools is the main/important point of the story.

Do Swoffords comments count? I think not, but let's see if an AD responds.

 

[billybud]

The big question is did the ACC GoR have an out if no ACCN is formed, or if ACC compensation is well below other conferences?

There were Twitter rumors to that effect. If so, the Virginia schools have to be talking to the B1G and exploring options.

I think that the French would make an interesting addition to the Big Ten. The French (as we affectionately call Virginia) with their Cavalier mascot wearing that wonderful ladies hat with a plume, would be tres chic in the midwest.

But I don't really see the French joining the B1G...I could be wrong, but I don't see any movement from a current P5 program for over a decade.

 

[Ldandy]

Keep The Cavs. Poor Stimpy could never survive the trauma of being ripped away from the bossom of modern civilization that is The ACC.

 

[AZHuskiePop]

I think that the French would make an interesting addition to the Big Ten. The French (as we affectionately call Virginia) with their Cavalier mascot wearing that wonderful ladies hat with a plume, would be tres chic in the midwest.

But I don't really see the French joining the B1G...I could be wrong, but I don't see any movement from a current P5 program for over a decade.

The Cavaliers were English loyal to the Stewart King in there Revolution.
That hat was pretty similar to Conferate Calvary
The Midwest on the other hand was Settled by New England Puritans .
Not really a lot noted for Display.

 

[billybud]

Ah buttercup...there were cavaliers in France way before the English borrowed that French term...cavalier is a middle French term for horseman (Old Provencal)...derived from the latin.

 

[WestHartHusk]

Ah buttercup...there were cavaliers in France way before the English borrowed that French term...cavalier is a middle French term for horseman (Old Provencal)...derived from the latin.

Well, if you want to get technical about it, the Norman's (and French and Breton's) conquered England in the 1,000's so many French things became English.