Big12 guy

a "new" law. Of course you can shop judges, but the Supreme Court as it stands tends to give deference to legislation signed into law. "Reasonable" and "workable" solutions will take a backseat to "doing something".

the competitive advantage that the BIG and SEC have over the ACC and B12 - like in perpetuity. If the BIG and SEC actually go to 19, there will not be any chairs left for any school to move up the ladder unless they find the money to compete at those levels outside of the media contracts. That means schools like Purdue, Rutgers, Mississippi State and others get the big bucks just by luck of the draw. For the first time in all of this mess, I know advocate for a new conference with the "best of the rest" of the ACC and B12, with several schools currently in those conferences to be left out. However, there are provisions to keep PE out of the super league business, and I wonder if that includes forming a new conference.

a move, I believe it would have happened a long time ago.

old bowl system. Remember, not one had access to th Rose Bowl except Big 10 and PAC schools. That is a monopoly, and today's "P2" isn't much different except they still have to win it on the field. Just a few years ago TCU beat the undefeated BIG Champion Michigan. The playoffs is where it's at IMO.

begs otherwise. Why again should a top seed risk injury to the 6th ranked G school? They would sit out their starters. In Basketball, one or two players can make a difference. Give access to the conference champions, as I'm OK with that, but there is nothing preventing all of the FCS schools declaring they are now FBS conferences for the money grab. Access with common sense?

ranking system that 6 G schools would ever qualify for the playoffs throughout history. Unless there is some sort of revenue sharing between the conferences, they just can not compete with the power conferences on a regular basis. If VT was undefeated and the top seed, why should they risk injuries against the 6th ranked G6 conference champion? I'm all for inclusion and expanding the playoffs, but a 3 or 4 loss Akron MAC champion does not have any business in the playoffs IMO. Now if the Zips ever field a team that is ranked in any season, that is a different story. ** Edited by Big12 guy at 7/29/2026, 11:35:28 AM

conferences need to consolidate to at most 4.

with you though, that if the ACC keeps their top brands, there is no reason ND would change the deal they currently have. Only if the ACC loses their top brands will it matter. ND needed a home for basketball and Olympics, and the ACC made perfect sense when the old Big East fell apart, and ended up being the AAC. When the basketball schools left and formed a basically private Catholic basketball first conference, things changed. ND is probably only one of a handful of schools that would have zero problem filling our a FBS schedule. The other 3 or 4 are already in the BIG or SEC.

an annual neutral site game that would have given USC an ND money separately, and not to the conference? Kinda like the recent Duke basketball set up?

AI says their exit fee is about 1/3 of a regular ACC member - estimated to be roughly $55m, but even they say it's an estimate. True, 3 years ago they got about $17M in ACC distributions, probably closer to $20M today, but again, that is my estimate. Don't really want to look that up, but lets say for the sake of argument, you are correct. ND will NEVER have a similar agreement with the B12 as they now have with the ACC, and there is no one in the B12 that has a history playing ND. They just are not a fit, in the old B12, or the new B12. My opinion is not based on the B12, as I think they are virtually irrelevent to ND's future. that being said, BYU is intriguing, and do not forget that they do have a lot of alumni in Arizona. When the ND's new football contract comes up, that 12 year agreement with Clemson will help, and it is my opinion, that a 10 year scheduling agreement with just about any school in FBS is possible. Baltimore mentioned below, that no matter who owns the rights to ND's opponents, they will welcome any scheduling agreement. I agree with that assessment. now, if you just step back from the ACC bubble for a second, how difficult would scheduling agreements like with Clemson would be difficult to find for ND? Then ask yourself, if ND had long term agreements (like through the lenght of their next media contract), how much would NBC pay for that? There is not one single school in the current ACC, current B12, and most of the BIG and SEC that would not agree to a 10 or 12 year scheduling agreement with ND. What if as just an example, ND was not in the ACC, and they had agreements with: Clemson Miami VT (screw FSU)/GT/Arizona/St. BC/Pitt Stanford Purdue Michigan State BYU LSU That is 81/2 that would sign tomorrow. (not sure about LSU, just want to see it every year) That leaves 3-4 every year they could rotate just like every other University. What would NBC pay for that?

more questions than answers.

appears that some on this board don't mind B12 youtubers if they have nice things to say about VT. All that aside, do you have an opinion on the actual ND ACC contract? My 2 seconds of research didn't turn up any details, like exit fees.

Yes. Do you know what the exit fee is for ND? I don't, but I'm assuming it's much different than everyone else's because there is no GOR with ND football. Currently they do make more money in the ACC if you think it's for basketball and Olympics. What we don't know, is what the dollar figure was for the football games. Surely you don't think they gave that football scheduling agreement for the privilege of putting their basketball program in the ACC, do you? before 2hhoop3 jumps me, I do not have a copy of the contract ND has with the ACC. As a matter of fact it hasn't even been discussed here to my recollection. What I am pretty sure of, is that it isn't the same as all of the full time members. Keep in mind, all of this is predicated on the ACC losing it's top brands. I see no way that ND keeps it's football scheduling arrangement with the ACC if that happens, and the Big East is a good landing spot for Irish Basketball.

unsuccessful. When there were rumors that Texas, Oklahoma, and others might go to the PAC years ago, it was said that the PAC didn't take them because OU and OSU were a pair. It was a big deal, and Oklahoma politics were involved. That realignment didn't happen, so there wasn't any legislation passed. When it was released that OUT were going to the SEC, there were no rumors proceeding the leak. If you remember, there was no press release or announcement that an agreement had been made. They got caught, and there was nothing that could be done. MUCH like UCLA and Cal. No one in the California educational system saw that coming, and like OUT, everyone got caught with their pants down. In the ACC, it's like a slow train wreck as everyone can see something will happen, and there are a ton of rumors and opinions. Will it be a real surprise when it happens? All of the schools in the ACC have been given time to prepare, improve, or make contingency plans. The Hateful 8 in the B12, and those in the PAC had no such luxury. If anyone gets caught without a chair to land on in the ACC, then either they have no worth, are not paying attention, or didn't get the memo that this is still about football.

a conference. In addition, if the ACC loses 3 or more schools, I'm not convinced ND would stick around until 2036. I think ND's future lands in scheduling agreements like they have with Clemson. and VERY likely they end up in the Big East for all other sports. Lose the football brands in the ACC, there is no backfill option that will satisfy anyone.

discount that Clemson has a 12 year scheduling agreement with ND. It gives them option, and dare I say, worth. In all of these scenarios where the ACC loses some schools, ND will be the key IMO. Depending on how many schools leave, if UNC leaves, the conference is toast because they would be 3rd or 4th in the pecking order. For the record, I do not think UNC is as valuable as many think, but being from KU, basketball will matter at some point. In a weakened ACC, I see Louisville as the "Colorado" in making a move to the B12. They know what it is being on the outside looking in as far as power conferences, and they will not take that chance if there is a path to the B12. Hell, the ACC has not treated them well from the get go, and they are not highly regarded by ACC fans, including many on this board. UNC, ND, and Louisville are the dominos. FSU can pound sand, Miami may get an invite, but UNC? They ARE the ACC. ** Edited by Big12 guy at 7/27/2026, 2:44:29 PM

Atlantic Coast Bias. The Idea that UVA or UNC are desired football brands is delusional.

viewership numbers according to AI: "South Carolina football averaged 4.122 million to 4.154 million television viewers per game during the regular season, ranking No. 13 nationally among all college football teams." Markets as being the driver for conference realignment is so old fashioned, you have to discuss Rutgers and Maryland. ** Edited by Big12 guy at 7/24/2026, 9:14:51 PM

the FBS doesn't have football only conferences. I stand corrected.

for more than 5 or 6 years at a time.

anything they want, as long as traditional rivalries come back.

can not be a football only conference. it does not state that a conference has to sponsor football. I'm saying that an ESPN can certainly bid on the rights of a group of independent football schools with a scheduling agreement.

the rights to all B12 football games, even if the B12 no longer "sponsors" football. Fox, as just an example, could bid on the basketball and tier 3 rights, and that contract could be the basis of the athletic department budgets, as football is now it's own entity and "independent".

fine with their Olympic sports.

when he wants to negotiate the football media contract separately. The ACC and B12 could remain a conference, but separate football to a quasi independent group? That scenario would work better for the ACC because of the spread from the top football schools to the bottom, but something like that may be possible moving forward.

by far the way to go with the conferences being this large. 20 member institution conference across the board is not out of the question IMO. That gives the SEC room for 4, the BIG room for two, and on down the line. Everything hinges on which schools the P2 take, but from my perspective, the B12 would be a strong third if this all plays out the way I think it will.

and a home for Olympics while the so called 5 year window closes.

to do, and looking at the moves they have made positions them much better. They told KU that they needed a new football stadium, and frankly, a football team. They too have been spending and raising a ton of money. When I say "they", it could be either the BIG or SEC. KU has been actually vetted by the BIG, and rumored for the SEC.

The schools went independent in football only, and assuming the B12 has a separate football contract, they joining the B12 or the Big east for basketball. Maybe form a different basketball only conference - and separate football once and for all.

as good as the SEC in media money. We would just have a power 5 at that point, and lets face it, the goal is to get into the power 2. Frankly, I think going independent in football, or a football only conference would be better than a new conference. Then, a coast to coast conference makes sense. Yormark has stated that it is his goal to have two different media deals, one for football, and one for basketball. I hope he is successful, as football or basketball only members would have their value. UConn for instance is independent in football, and they would not have to wait 5 years if there was an offer. What if the schools went independent in football only?

current make-up of the ACC in football. They might edge them in money by the end of 2036, but as long as the ACC retains their top members and ND, the B12 will be within the "margin" of error on conference distributions. Unless the B12 reals off the next 2 out of 3 national championships, I don't see that changing. All eyes are on what happens to the ACC in regards to the P2. I would dismiss those articles that have the BIG expanding to 22 or 24 schools. That is wishful thinking for the schools like VT or Utah that think they should be in the club. (VT has a better shot than Utah IMO) This will all come down to the P2 picking off ACC schools. Anything short of that, and the B12 will be the 4th P conference, but will continue to be a factor. No B12 school is going to the ACC if they lose their top schools. Possible in 2036 if the ACC stays together, but I don't see that either with the uneven distribution system.

Protect College Sports Act (not Save) would force a school to be independent for a period of 5 years before they could be added to a conference. Does anyone think that the mag 7 + ND, and maybe a few B12 schools could go independent, and form a scheduling alliance that would garner enough media money to be competitive long enough to be invited to a conference? Except for the short term conference distributions with BB units, and guaranteed playoff money distribution (which would be changed), would it be too much of a hill to overcome for 5 years?

last one did not. It's my contention that they bring more value than Cincy, Houston, and UCF did.

puts a lot of emphasis on CBS and NBC along with FOX. As a B12 guy, I'd rather the B12 have those media outlets rather than ESPN.

maybe going that high. It won't be as high as the SEC, and of course, not as high as the BIG - but in that scenario (don't see it happening), the B12 would gladly pay the exit fees, and make it happen.

only the ACC, but of all of college football. It's a double edged sword though, because if it too imbalanced, or the basketball schools end up with more money than the mid football schools, it could be a real problem. UNC agreeing to it got my attention - why the hell would they agree to something that didn't advantage them? If, however, the ACC can keep their top brands, including ND, I think they will stay together. Adding schools fall to the wayside however, and no top school in the B12 would ever go to the ACC unless they were paid towards the top - and I NEVER see the ACC adding a school at the top of the distributions.

reason I hope it's the B12, is because of all the small privates in the ACC. Those guys and your contract work against you.

much for a lateral move, especially if there isn't a new media deal that is more attractive. What I think you might be missing, is that IF the top schools of the ACC do indeed go to the P2, it is my guess that Yormark will already have negotiated a new media deal, and that new deal could "possibly" include 2-4 ACC schools. It was said on this board that the last Big12 deal included the 4 corners from the PAC, as that is why it was such a good deal - but there would have had to have been a back room deal for that to be true. The timeline does not support that assertion, but anything is possible. If it didn't, .... The new B12 media deal will include the 4 corners, where the one they are operating on now does not. +I seems to me that the 4 corners brings in some strong content, especially when you compare them to Cincy, Houston, and UCF. If you were to add 4 of Louisville, VT, GT, Duke, NCSU, depending how things play out, the media contract would have to be sufficient enough to make sense for those schools to jump conferences. This is not a prediction, but I wouldn't dismiss the possibility out of hand as we know the ACC deal will not improve in 2030.

got my attention, NIU to the Mountain West as well. These are football only moves, and may be the way of the future, especially for the G6. In addition sac. St. paid $18M to the MAC to get in - now that is something I can't wrap my head around. I