suggesting is it could/would be better than ACC or Big XII money which is where the debate should be. Particularly if joining a P2 conference is not an option for the schools because Congress got involved with the issue. Even if the ACC schools decide to remain in the conference until June 30, 2036, this same issue will pop up again if any schools refuse to sign the new GOR which could run until 2060 (if it is around the same length as the current GOR). So the schools would still have the same 3 options on the table: 1. Remain in the ACC and sign the new GOR. 2. Leave the ACC and join another non-P2 conference. 3. Leave the ACC and form a brand new non-P2 conference. If joining a P2 conference is no longer a realistic goal for the ACC schools because of actions taken by Congress, then what becomes the new goal for those schools? The reason UConn is an Independent in football is because the AAC refused to allow UConn to be a non-football member of the conference. Since the Big East no longer sponsors football, UConn doesn't have the same restrictions it had in the AAC. You can bet the AAC will take the same stance as the AAC did if any current football member wanted to leave the conference in just that sport. Notre Dame is an exception to that policy because it was never a full member of the ACC, so Notre Dame had more leverage over the ACC when it came to negotiate the special arrangement. The same wouldn't be true for Clemson, FSU, or Miami because they are already full members. The ACC will gladly let them walk and become an independent in all sports because the ACC knows the impact being an Independent has on being able to earn an at-large bid in any NCAA tournament. When was the last time an Independent received an at-large bid to the men's March Madness? Why are their currently no schools competing as an Independent in basketball?