"Conferences are voluntary just as the conference can voluntarily choose the benefits its MEMBERS receive. Unfortunately, weaker sisters like the BE and ACC have chosen to make their conferences an Ala carte version as opposed to full service." This post is not just talking about Notre Dame's unique relationship with the ACC. Certainly, that relationship is alluded to, though not specifically mentioned. And it is not restricted to the ACC, but also discusses the BE. And, as I stated previsously, the "a la carte" comment brings in a discussion of more sports than just football, as it suggests selecting individually from a larger menu. My point is simply that this is not just a BE and ACC approach, but that it has been common with conferences and that the ACC/ND deal is just a specific application of what conferences regularly consider as an option. Perhaps, other specific instances occur for other reasons, such as a conference not offering a sport that is particiapted in by one of its teams. But that is still a valid example of conferences allowing "a la carte" participation. There is just a variety of reasons that can bring about the 'a la carte" approach. I am simply pointing out that it is not a new idea, nor is it an uncommon decision. Perhaps it is not as commonly applied in the specific situation of ND. Nevertheless, when that approach is found useful by a conference for any number of reasons, they will apply that "a la carte" approach. And that goes for P2 schools as well as G5 schools. In conclusion, people should not be shocked when the ACC used that approach witih ND, at a point that the ACC thought it would be beneficial for the conference. People can argue whether it was beneficial or not. But to try to argue that the ACC did something "wierd" in their approach seems illogical under the circumstances. The ACC simply used a common tool to try to accomplish their goal. People can argue over what that goal was, or whether it was an appropriate goal, or whether it was the correct tool. But it is clearly a tool that conferences consider to be available to them for whenever they need it. Most every conference either uses this tool, or has schools that make use of it. Always use the right tool for the job and just as many other conferences have done, the ACC used that tool when they felt it was the right tool.