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Message: [QUOTE="btstimpy, post: 2135853, member: 2673"] [I]They used their connections with The Catholic 7 to join The Big East, and then barely ever stepped foot on the field with any of its football members. After that conference imploded they used their brand value to leverage a generous deal out of The ACC when that group was dealing from a position of weakness. With founding member UMD already out the door, and rumors swirling that other members were looking for homes in other conferences as well, it was easy to capitalize on this uncertainty in order to land an incredibly favorable deal.[/I] This timeline is not accurate even though part of what you suggest is. Syracuse, Pittsburgh, and Notre Dame had all announced their intentions to join the ACC before Jim Delany ever approached UMD. Only Louisville has joined after Maryland announced its departure. Jim Delany approached ACC schools after the announcement by Notre Dame because of his frustration at losing ND forever, and his concern of the vulnerability of Penn State in the future. That was confirmed by several sources. Maryland was the only interested ACC school, and then he turned back to Rutgers who he had been advised 2 years earlier by consultants not to take. But with the PAC12 scheduling agreement having fallen apart, the BTN was looking other places to add subscribers. Rutgers offered New Jersey as well as a partner for Maryland. The ACC needed to augment its football brand, and while not ideal the 5 Notre Dame games helped do that by showcasing ND games. ESPN paid about $28 million per year to the ACC extra because of adding those games. [/QUOTE]

Verification: First name of men's bb coach