I’m not sure how much the AAC is really worth. Sometimes, I presume peanuts because “Who will watch ECU vs Tulane?” Then I think, “Who will watch Wake vs GTech?”
The bad ACC games are certainly “better”, in a superficial way, due to the schools being P5 for years, but the game and pretty much everything else is similar.
I know Clemson is worth a lot, but the AAC has had several Top 5-25 teams at once that got some decent ratings over the last 6-7 years. I tend to think ESPN overpaid the ACC just to make it appear competitive with the SEC and B1G. The American may be a little underpaid, but not by too much. Maybe 2 million per member.
Prepare for an unpopular opinion on the BY.
ECU should have been in the Old Big East long prior to its implosion. Their stadium, recruiting area, and proximity to WVU made it a solid addition that (with time) could have acted as a stop gap when the ACC poached the OBE into death.
It really makes no difference if you think a certain team is unworthy. Brand is always in flux do to success (or lack thereof). UConn has suffered from the lack thereof. What ECU needed was what Louisville and Cincinnati got in the Old Big East. They simply needed a bigger stage.
To be honest, the AAC occupies the same space the old Big East does in the new system. It's one of the top 6 conferences. That's all they will need now that the CFP is taking the Top 6 Champions regardless.
What is that worth? I guess we will have to see all of that new money roll in from the 12-team CFP to gauge that. If they have success in that new format, then they'll be in good shape for another bump when their new contract is up.
Frankly the moves they made up till now (including signing with ESPN) were spot on.