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Conference Realignment Board
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Joined: 10/03/2022
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Baltimore_Hokie
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Can we stop the obsession with the ACCN? The ACCN is small potatoes-

in the grand scheme of things. Nobody watches it. That's why they don't post viewership numbers. It's not a product that anyone actually wants, it's just a swindle perpetrated on people that don't know how to pirate broadcasts. At its core, it's more or less the same scam that the casinos in Vegas run when they tack on unadvertised "resort fees" to their hotel prices. It generates money, but it only does so by being a pork barrel tack-on to cable and streaming packages that people have to buy so they can watch other channels. And, the ACC was the last johnny-come-lately that was able to jump on the scam before they shut it down. The conference networks, including the BTN and SECN, are all relics of legacy linear cable packages. They would not be a thing today, because there's no need. You just put the games on the Fox Sports app, or the ESPN app, and charge people more. Once cable finally dies out as a thing, so will the entire concept of the conference network, and it will just become a box to choose on a streaming app. To more directly address your post - I sincerely believe that ESPN would toss the ACC and the ACCN in the trash bin of history tomorrow if they could cherry pick the best teams out of the Big 12 and ACC, create a new conference, and then own that conference's media rights. They want to own media rights to football games that people want to watch. That's as far as their "loyalty" goes. They don't pay the ACC because they love the ACC. They're doing it so they can put the one Clemson and FSU game a year when they play an SEC or Big 10 program at home on ABC or ESPN, and have plenty of filler content left over to fill the selection boxes on their streaming app.
Posted: 07/06/2026 at 10:01 AM ET
(In response to this post by Stech)

Thread Replies (67)

Full Thread →
Curious about payments to get out of conference
The_VT_Rock • 07/01/26 09:56 AM ET
If the Mag 7+1 leave, it’s very different answer than a couple leaving.**
Stech • 07/01/26 03:28 PM ET
If P2 goes to 24 the ACC probably loses at least 11
4x4hokies • 07/03/26 07:06 PM ET
ACC will lose Mag 7+1 IMHO in that scenario, maybe Stanford &Cal too, but
Stech • 07/03/26 07:43 PM ET
I doubt ESPN would be active on breaking up the Big 12. They tried before.
HouClone • 07/04/26 12:03 PM ET
ESPN will want the best ratings they can get, some B12 teams would help
Stech • 07/04/26 02:23 PM ET
Sad part it really is not ESPN that is the final decision.
HouClone • 07/04/26 04:47 PM ET
Presidents do have a say, but ESPN is only willing to pay 4 certain schools
Stech • 07/06/26 07:48 AM ET
I see Stanford, Cal and ND going in an exodus **
4x4hokies • 07/03/26 08:00 PM ET
In an exodus, that’s certainly possible.**
Stech • 07/04/26 02:20 PM ET
I'd recommend finding a private equity investor to front the exit fee. TIC**
MP4VT2004 • 07/01/26 02:54 PM ET
It really doesn't matter - if they get a chance to jump, they have to jump.
Baltimore_Hokie • 07/01/26 01:03 PM ET
Rather than wait around for the inevitable, can the ACC self-prune?
VT ChemE 1986 • 07/06/26 10:32 AM ET
I don't think there's a viable way to do it.
Baltimore_Hokie • 07/06/26 10:36 AM ET
You really think ESPN w/ 50% of ACCN is going to pick that over the B12?
Stech • 07/03/26 12:40 PM ET
Can we stop the obsession with the ACCN? The ACCN is small potatoes- ◄
Baltimore_Hokie • 07/06/26 10:01 AM ET
585M and up 16%, it’s facts and linked below, ignore it if you choose.**
Stech • 07/06/26 02:10 PM ET
Please go back and read my post again, carefully.
Baltimore_Hokie • 07/07/26 10:20 AM ET
Look at how I edited your subject line.
Will StewartAdmin • 07/07/26 12:44 PM ET
Point taken. Thanks, Will.**
Baltimore_Hokie • 07/07/26 02:11 PM ET
Me thinks the conference networks are a failed business model. If
Big12 guy • 07/03/26 02:37 PM ET
The ACC's record revenue was reportedly fueled by $588.5 million in tele-
Stech • 07/03/26 03:14 PM ET
This is so for one reason and one reason only-
Baltimore_Hokie • 07/07/26 10:24 AM ET
This is interesting as thought
HouClone • 07/04/26 10:22 PM ET
Point well taken, but even you
Big12 guy • 07/03/26 03:44 PM ET
Increase was mostly that, I think ESPN thinks of ACC as 🏀 conference 1st,
Stech • 07/03/26 04:50 PM ET
I think the first conference that gets
Big12 guy • 07/03/26 05:22 PM ET
I prefer your original idea of the best from the ACC and Big12
VT ChemE 1986 • 07/02/26 03:54 PM ET
I agree with you. Not so much because I think VT can't compete, but because
Baltimore_Hokie • 07/06/26 10:02 AM ET
Agreed.**
VT ChemE 1986 • 07/06/26 10:10 AM ET
We won’t finish 6th, our recruiting will even be better than this year,
Stech • 07/03/26 03:33 PM ET
I encourage you to do the math:
VT ChemE 1986 • 07/03/26 06:05 PM ET
SEC missed Champ game last 3 years *Bama 🤷‍, A&M 🤷‍♂️, Ok 🤷‍♂️, UF🤷‍♂️,
Stech • 07/07/26 07:46 AM ET
Don't forget LSU. Also, if we join with Clemson and FSU, that brings more
wwhokie1 • 07/04/26 01:26 AM ET
Well, we’ve beaten many of them…
HOKIEGOBBLE • 07/03/26 07:38 PM ET
Done the math, it will be a different situation recruiting against them
Stech • 07/03/26 07:38 PM ET
If the ACC is collapsing we will have no choice.
VT ChemE 1986 • 07/03/26 10:35 PM ET
I understand that point of view.**
Stech • 07/04/26 02:19 PM ET
Who's the best from the Big 12?
HouClone • 07/02/26 07:59 PM ET
BigXII: No blue bloods, but no doormats. Just parity.
Maroon Baboon • 07/03/26 06:01 AM ET
One possibility is that if VT (or any other ACC team) is invited to the P2
Maroon Baboon • 07/01/26 11:15 AM ET
Utah made a PE deal for $500M, and
Big12 guy • 07/01/26 11:32 AM ET
How does a PE deal.......
2hhoop3 • 07/01/26 09:11 PM ET
From my point of view, it
Big12 guy • 07/02/26 07:47 AM ET
IF a conference......
2hhoop3 • 07/02/26 09:17 AM ET
I agree 100%, however,
Big12 guy • 07/02/26 09:49 AM ET
I think if.....
2hhoop3 • 07/02/26 04:31 PM ET
Could very well be, but let's look
Big12 guy • 07/02/26 05:31 PM ET
The fact that every single.....
2hhoop3 • 07/02/26 05:59 PM ET
First, I am not endorsing PE in
Big12 guy • 07/02/26 10:50 PM ET
Like I said.....
2hhoop3 • 07/03/26 12:22 AM ET
I will ask you a question. what
Big12 guy • 07/03/26 03:39 PM ET
My point is......
2hhoop3 • 07/03/26 03:57 PM ET
And I 100% agreed with you when you responded to one
Big12 guy • 07/03/26 04:05 PM ET
As far as already in......
2hhoop3 • 07/03/26 04:15 PM ET
Now that is a post I can wrap my head around. it's different
Big12 guy • 07/03/26 05:41 PM ET
Memphis will come up.....
2hhoop3 • 07/03/26 06:19 PM ET
I did not answer your questions because
Big12 guy • 07/03/26 02:43 PM ET
Everyone knows......
2hhoop3 • 07/03/26 03:10 PM ET
I've lost respect for Utah through all of this.
Maroon Baboon • 07/01/26 12:22 PM ET
There are at least 7 states the BiG would target for expansion
VT ChemE 1986 • 07/02/26 04:00 PM ET
I'd add AZ. But yeah.**
Maroon Baboon • 07/03/26 01:05 AM ET
100%. TT however, is getting
Big12 guy • 07/01/26 12:25 PM ET
Yeah, perhaps I was too harsh on TT.
Maroon Baboon • 07/01/26 12:55 PM ET
Depends what kind of deal the SEC/BIG offer for full vs partial payments
HokieAl • 07/01/26 10:16 AM ET
The best thing VT can do......
2hhoop3 • 07/01/26 10:10 AM ET
Need that no doubt.
MrFantastic! • 07/01/26 01:54 PM ET
Possibility #3, start kicking bottom teams out. The Big East booted Temple.
Truthahn • 07/02/26 01:48 PM ET