Well, it's been a while since we've had a realignment discussion
- Thread starter 18IsTheMan
- Start date
This is kinda of funny.
Inside Carolina cited the March settlement to last year’s lawsuit filed by Clemson and Florida State challenging the ACC’s conference exit fee and revenue distribution figures for providing a “substantial victory to member schools for exploring possible pathways toward leaving the conference and relocating to greener financial pastures.”
I remember a long thread with some posters arguing it was a total victory for keeping the conference together.
Now articles are coming out, publicly admitting the opposite.
Inside Carolina cited the March settlement to last year’s lawsuit filed by Clemson and Florida State challenging the ACC’s conference exit fee and revenue distribution figures for providing a “substantial victory to member schools for exploring possible pathways toward leaving the conference and relocating to greener financial pastures.”
I remember a long thread with some posters arguing it was a total victory for keeping the conference together.
Now articles are coming out, publicly admitting the opposite.
The most likely scenario would have it happening in 5 to 6 years when the buyout drops. That’s an eternity and who knows what all will transpire between now and then? The TV networks are pretty open about ultimately wanting a super conference. The Big Ten contract I believe expires in/about 2031 and the SEC in/about 2033. At that point what would be the benefit in UNC jumping conferences?
I must disagree - and strenuously. If UNC is wanting to jump, they would be the biggest prize available who isn't Notre Dame, which isn't actually available according to them. There is no advantage at all in having the B1G plant their flag down here at a place like UNC. They have a significant national athletic following, even if it is mostly due to basketball. Plus, they are one of our historical rivals, and a hated one. I would love to see that rivalry get legs again.
It is anticipated that UNC may indeed be the first school to announce (destination unknown), which will be followed immediately by further announcements/ movements.
Make no mistake, the B1G is going to plant their flag, deep in SEC territory. (Only the short sighted will not see this as problematic)
It is inevitable.
Well, If it is inevitable, let it be at a place less impactful. Miami would qualify.
I disagree. The Miami/ Ft. Lauderdale/West Palm TV market is the 18th largest in the country. Despite what some may want to think, the Miami brand is still significant for national TV viewership. (feel free to look up the numbers) In addition the state of Florida has a large B1G Alumni population.
Should the B1G land FSU and Miami, they become the dominant presence.
This is more than just the addition(s) of one school in the state, it is the opening of a brand new market and a very large one at that.
I contend that neither of those entities has the cachet of North Carolina, and North Carolina would bring another flagship university into the SEC from a contiguous state (which seems to matter to the SEC, which already claims Florida's flagship university). North Carolina is growing dynamically, especially in terms of technological enterprises, but not insignificantly in terms of population also.
Let me emphasise, this is far more than the addition of one school, but more of securing TV markets, and the state of Florida has 3 markets in the top 20.
Left out ? They are one of the top 3 candidates to be picked up.
I agree. Im just referring to that wishful thinking scenario where they are not picked up, and end up in a minor leqgue conference with Memphis and Temple.
I understand, but I also understand that UNC has a lot of perceived academic standing (an AAU school), and draws a lot of athletic interest and eyeballs from way beyond its borders, moreso than all but the very top SEC schools. Plus, growth in a state that has several important metropolitan areas is on the high side. Their addition to the league would be way more impactful than a South Carolina, Arkansas, or a Missouri - and very worthwhile.
MBB has not played UnCarolina in Chapel Hell since USC left the ACC. Nor has the Holes' MBB team played USC in Columbia in all that time. All meetings have been on neutral courts.
IMO, ultimately, realignment will group schools into divisions based on geography. What will be gone is conference autonomy. Think professional sports. That will be when the Holes and Cocks resume the rivalry in all sports on a home-and-home basis.
Someone is in charge. You mentioned professional sports... would some kind of antitrust exemption be needed?
I jokingly said once that all this conference realignment would lead to large conferences (looking like 2) who break their teams into "pods" based on geography. Going full circle and giving us basically the old ACC, SEC, Big8, etc.
I believe the next two schools to migrate to the SEC should be UNC and UVA.
If desiring an “SEC-fit” NC State, VATech and Miami would be attractive. Then Clemson to follow.
I can’t figure out what to do with FSU.
If desiring an “SEC-fit” NC State, VATech and Miami would be attractive. Then Clemson to follow.
I can’t figure out what to do with FSU.
I think when it happens, it'll be several schools at once, followed by a second wave.
So there's a chance both are in that first wave anyway.
I still don't see the benefit for the SEC here. OF COURSE North Carolina wants in with the SEC. But why would the SEC take them? ESPN hasn't agreed to pay more for 9 conference games. They're definitely not paying more for another team that they already own the rights to!
Until ESPN (or FOX) agrees to pay significantly more money to the SEC (or B1G), I don't see any further moves happening. The conferences are already very unwieldy at 16 and 18 teams each. Adding more doesn't really help anyone, and without financial benefit, I just don't see it happening.
Until ESPN (or FOX) agrees to pay significantly more money to the SEC (or B1G), I don't see any further moves happening. The conferences are already very unwieldy at 16 and 18 teams each. Adding more doesn't really help anyone, and without financial benefit, I just don't see it happening.
This is one of the main arguments against any ACC teams jumping to the SEC: ESPN already owns their rights at a lower rate than what it would be in the SEC.
So then the expansion would need to be initiatiated by a conference that doesn't own their rights, and would want to expand into that southern footprint?
I honestly have no idea how it all works. Logically, though, if ESPN already own UNC's rights at whatever rate they're paying now, it doesn't make sense for them pay more than that.
Oh, I agree. I was kidding. Basically saying the initiation would then be from the B10's side. They supposedly want to move into the Southeast, and some of those ACC teams would suffice.
I guess the only reason for the SEC to go first would be to keep some schools out of the B10's hands?
Yeah, the SEC would definitely want to keep the B10 out of the area. However, it's widely believed that things are heading towards a single superconference when current TV contracts expire, so that all becomes a moot point.
"You'll have your eyes opened for you, my friend.... Don't go on any long trips" - Cosmo Castorini, "Moonstruck"