ESPN had a huge advantage. that attitude allows ESPN to win the negotiations. The deal with the ACC and the ACC Network has made ESPN a lot of money. Where is the huge advantage for ESPN in the negotiations? Both sides stood to make a lot of money. But because the ACC allowed themselves to be desparate, and consider themselves weak, ESPN took us to the cleaners. I don't know how much more was available for the ACC, But there were several avenues to make the deal more ACC friendly, both financially and regarding future look-ins. ESPN has the chance to walk from the deal, while the ACC is stuck in the deal for 20 years. Huge advantage for ESPN. Again, the ACC was going to make ESPN a boatload of money, maybe not as much as the SEC, but ESPN gains profits, a lot of profits. The ACC Network was not a bad deal for ESPN. It was a good deal, a really good deal. That is leverage for the ACC. ESPN wanted the ACC Network because it was going to make them lots of money. Every indication I have heard implies ESPN basically got what they wanted. We all have believed that the ACC negotiated from a position of weakness, but much of that was self-imposed. The ACC had a lot to offer. Especially, when you look long term, and remember the contract was for 20 years. What was going to happen to our top teams over that period. They were not going to stay down. Every year the media annoucnes that Miami is back, they never are, but that shows the national reputation of Miami. That is "value". UNC is heralded as the most valuable program for expansion by many. I disagree, but that is name recognition and value. FSU and Clemson, though up and down are major programs with national name recognition - lots of "value". VT was still looked at as a valuable national commodity at the time of the ESPN deal. ACC had a lot to offer. Throw in that we were still the top name in college basketball. And also remember that at the time the financial difference between the ACC and the BIG and SEC was much smaller and expected to close even more with the ACC Network, therefore the ACC's future was even brighter. The ACC Network was expected to allow us to compete at a level near the top of college football - lots of future value. Around the time of the signing of the deal in 2016 the ACC won three national championships in football from 2013 - 2018, 50% of the championships. The ACC was not so weak. Yes, it had it's problems but it also had a lot of strengths and potential. When you are negotiating you have to see and point out that value. You are not selling the previous 5 years of ACC performance, you are selling the future 20 years of a conference with some strong programs. Oh yes, throw in the ND deal. With the deals the SEC, BIG and Big 12 are signing, the ACC with FSU and Clemson is clearly underpaid. In hindsight the media deal was to the advantage of ESPN. Do you really think ESPN did not know that at the time? I don't think so! I think they knew what a good deal it was for them, and so they tried to make it as long as possible. What business signs a 20 year deal, unless they are convinced it is good for them. Of course they wrote in an out for themselves. Of course the ACC also signed a 20 year deal, but they did so out of desparation and giving in to the demands of ESPN that wanted it to run 20 years. The ACC was outsmarted in the negotiations, and future results reflect that. ** Edited by wwhokie1 at 7/24/2024, 1:40:03 PM ** Edited by wwhokie1 at 7/24/2024, 1:43:07 PM