Before you go, you can be the first person who can explain why ESPN would do anything to screw with the current ACC contract before it runs out, which might be the most financially advantageous one they have in terms of content, viewership and price.
I'll give you my answer.
Like it or not the ACC is the 3rd best Conference in the P-5.
ESPN/ABC can secure its continued security of content and marketability by providing a FAIR new contract for their own future success (Total access to the SEC and ACC/Gold Mine).
If ESPN/ABC wanted to they could negotiate a deal to semi combine the conferences without combining them.
Just have the SEC and ACC to agree to play more OOC games between all SEC/ACC teams and get good Nielsen ratings.
Pitt had a 2 game series (2021/2022) with Tennessee in which we split. The Nielsen Ratings were good.
In 2023, Pitt's OOC games include Notre Dame, West Virginia, Cincinnati and Woford.
I would love to play 2 or 3 SEC teams per year for our OOC in lieu of those other games. I believe Greg is trying to soften Rutgers future OOC games. Might get a few more W's with reduced Nielsen ratings to get to 6W and a Bowl.
OR
They can wait and let the ACC negotiate about going to FOX Sports in a better contract deal and lose ALL or SOME of the sports content.
As I said to you guys before, it makes no sense why ESPN/ABC would want to help Fox Sports and the the B1G by blowing up the ACC to get what Clemson/Florida State (SEC in Florida/South Carolina).
As the expression goes, don't cut off your nose to spite your face.
I wonder what the Nielsen Ratings would be for "Bowling for Dollars" on a nice Saturday in the fall.
ESPN/ABC did not become the leader in Sports distribution by being stupid.
We can have this discussion again next year and say the same things.
HAIL TO PITT!!!!