Of course it’s procedural, but still part of the process of either getting out, or getting the $$ rightly due to then (vis a vis some of the other members of the league)
Hence, the multiple lawsuits going on as we speak
OT: The official ACC all things thread
- Thread starter JayDogSmooth
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Hence, the multiple lawsuits going on as we speak
I have been through mediation. It only works if both sides truly want to settle, or if one side is really desperate. I do not see either of those circumstances applying here.
I will not argue with that, but the fact is that ESPN has until February 1 to extend, and given the current landscape and that they have not done so already, it is highly unlikely that they will
With that being said, coupled with FSU and Clemson‘s open to leave, multiple lawsuits, and the ACC is dirty laundry potentially being exposed, Doug Rohan, and a bunch of others in the know, are all predicting something significant happen between now and February 1, 2025, ultimately leading to FSU playing in likely either the Big Ten or SEC in 2026
Are these the same people that were "predicting something significant" would happen before 8/15/24?
No
That was Pate & Co.
FWIW, Pate is also in the know
Guy is super connected along with a few others
This is a different deal for the conference realignment this go around
Typically, it’s secret and covert, and nobody finds out about it until it becomes public
Obviously, this is much different due to the monetary situation and the urgency to get out ASAP
The value of having the option is you have the flexibility to wait until you are close to or at the option date to extend. They are doing what any rational business with this kind of option would do. If they had extended today, and a year before the option date there was a worldwide recession causing advertising rates collapse, they would look like idiots for extending early. All signs point to them extending because they need the content.
They may need content, but they also need ratings
You take out your top two programs, your already dismal ratings plummet even further
Additionally, they’re getting exactly what they want right now
People talking about the league
Just like Yormark & the B12
No publicity is bad publicity
Especially when you have one league on the verge of G5 status once schools leave (ACC), and another firmly entrenched in 3rd place, far behind the B1G and SEC (B12)
You just unwittingly explained the value of the option. ESPN can wait and see what happens. Though being involved in the agreements, they and their legal representatives may already have a strong view about whether these schools can get out without paying the large fine and grant of rights. They will also have better insight than anyone else as to what the ACC is thinking and may also be advising them on the legal strategy.
The other thing is why should they extend and be bidding against themselves. Can’t imagine many networks will be lining up for the ACC contract. Too much unknown and it is not a premier product. Only 2-3 games worth watching and paying for on a national level.
I’d suspect UConn would prefer the ACC even if some day in the future FSU left. It makes more geographic sense.
Lol even the Big 12 is like, "UConn can come in for everything outside of their utter disgrace of a football program." The odds of them having football be good enough to move into the Big 12 in 2031 along with making football investments (I'm thinking an on campus football stadium) are quite small.
Actually, the odds are quite long, but I get your point.
I know football drives the bus, but uconn is a weird case. If I were them I'd stay in the Big East.
Football requires a big investment, which would take away from the basketball programs which is their #1 priority.
I would’ve thought the ACC but if that door isn’t open then I guess the B12. Also would it instigate the ACC to do something when the eventuality of FSU leaving actually occurs. B12 timeline for UConn would be 2031 for football and 2026 for other sports. That seems doable for the ACC with the anticipation of FSU leaving.
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Oh I get it from a numbers perspective. But they just belong in the Big East. It's a basketball school. But I get it - football (money) is king.
They just need to drop down to the Patriot League or CAA in football and stop all the foolishness of masquerading as an FBS football school.
And I bet if you polled their fans "you can play Oklahoma state and Baylor in football or keep the Big East tournament for basketball" the latter is winning with 85% of the vote.
They desperately want to reignite the Civil Conflict with UCF 😂
I still wonder if they’re not trying to motivate the ACC to act with the expectation of a FSU departure down the line.
I forgot about the civil conflict trophy
That’s must watch tv !
Agree on your assessment and the fact ESPN also has a lot at stake and will move when necessary to protect their financial interests.
The ACC Network launched August 22, 2019. The network profits are split 50/50 between ESPN and the ACC.
In 2022-23 academic year, the last year for which data is available the league made $481.7 million from its television rights. This year the ACC will receive carriage rates from cable and satellite companies in Northern California with the addition of Stanford and Cal.
The Nielsen TV market for San Fran and Palo Alto is ranked #10 and with the addition of SMU and the Dallas Texas Market Nielsen ranking of #5.
Also as was previously mentioned, ESPN gets the total sports content from the ACC Conference. If ESPN lost this, they would have a BIG hole in their sports programing.
As you point out we are hearing from everyone else but ESPN.
HAIL TO PITT!!!!
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Nor should they
Despite the loss today, FSU generates much more money for the conference than GTech
Some big companies want to advertise for FSU games more than other ACC games? FSU has to play *someone*. If FSU went independent, could they generate teh same income they do as part of the ACC? Or, can they generate MORE than the share of the revenue they get from the ACC?
I am not saying they don't.. but I don't see the Tallahassee area as some economic powerhouse.
They will, unless they keep losing to teams like GaTech...
Why would the well deserved vitriol have a negative impact on them getting into the AU?
Read the graphic and count the votes. ACC alone has 23% of the 26% needed to block membership.
That's a fascinating angle if true. If a high % of ACC schools that FSU is basically attacking decide to pay them back by voting against AAU membership for FSU, they would need almost every other school to vote yes to get in. Once that membership starts to become a political or money issue, that might be a tough sell.
Those schools were only added to have the necessary amount of votes needed to prevent the conference from dissolving
You think if FSU went about this in a more subded way it'd have any impact (i.e. they'd vote differently)?
They knew the deal when they joined
Hell, SMU is going 8 years without a paycheck from the league
They'll eventually get AAU membership, just like they'll eventually get out of the ACC
When, where they'll land, and how much it'll cost are the main questions
I also never considered the AAU membership angle for FSU and I am not sure how this would go.
FSU currently has Research expenditures of about $414 million per year which is good but not excessive for an AAU Research University.
Pitt for example has annual Research expenditures of about $1.16 Billion. Having membership in the AAU does not guarantee future Research Grants but establishes your school as a member of the BIG BOY Research Club.
Once admitted each school must strive to maintain the AAU standards or be kicked out so to speak. Remember Nebraska, Iowa State and Syracuse are all former AAU schools.
As I've said repeatedly there is more money to be gained via Research than Sports. FSU complains that they will be down $50 million per year via the Sports Contracts. However, Pitt receives about $750 million more per year than FSU via Research Grants.
I am sure AAU membership is important for FSU and they are making strides to achieve membership.
It is always best to play nice with everyone else in the sand box.
You may want to leave but vitriol and condemnation does not help your case.
HAIL TO PITT!!!!
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We’ve tried to play nice in the sandbox for the past number of years, and it hasnt gotten us anywhere except further behind the 8 ball
I don’t like the vitriol and aggressive way they’re doing things, but they do not have a choice at this point
look on the bright side, we can only go up from here!
Not particularly related to the ACC but tangential in that select PE firms are being allowed to take a stake in NFL teams. PE has come up at times, specifically with FSU.
