Could we be looking at an ESPN brokered realignment? I have thought, for years, that this popular plan was crazy talk. But we are in crazy territory now. If The SEC and ESPN really want to preserve their monopoly, they would need to buy the cooperation of the ACC remainders. ESPN is still bound by their media deal to all the ACC schools. They can’t just facilitate a realignment from The ACC to another ESPN conference without inviting legal blowback from BC, Pitt, etc. Next, they need to buy redundant content in Florida and S. Carolina, and possibly in N. Carolina and Virginia. $$$ adding up. So, ESPN could just refuse to renew the media deal in 2025 and move their pieces in 2027 when they have no contractual obligation to any ACC schools. But FSU, Clemson, and UNC have no interest in marking time for the benefit of ESPN. The pressure from those three schools will force ESPN to pay a ransom to a bunch of ACC schools. The SEC favors this plan, but will ESPN pay for it? There was a rumor, not so long ago, about adding a media partner to help ESPN accommodate the growth content. Will that cover the added cost? To me, it still seems like a unwelcome burden for ESPN.