In the last few weeks we've had the former heads of ESPN and Fox Sports (and who are still active in the industry) both say the same thing. For the networks at least, it's still first and foremost about footprint...location, location, location. Thompson even made fun of the streaming services. Despite brand/culture, Clemson and FSU are worth less to the SEC than the biggest brands in states they don't have covered. If the ACC dissolves, the biggest financial plums for the SEC are in North Carolina and Va (and DMV). FSU and Clemson improve individual game ratings for advertisers but not carrier fees; the SEC already has SC and FL covered. Networks get carrier fees whether anyone watches or not. In 2036, the rules may be different; but not today. If B1G requires AAU membership then UNC, UVA, and Georgia Tech would be at the top of the list (they are AAU in populous states). UF is the only AAU school in Florida but B1G might swallow hard to pick up those subs. Duke's (who is AAU) best chance is if UNC requires a dance partner; note B1G has thus far passed on UO and UW who are both AAU members and would bring in more subs than Duke (if B1G already has UNC). ** Edited by daveinop at 8/7/2022, 9:44:05 AM ** Edited by daveinop at 8/7/2022, 11:18:48 AM ** Edited by daveinop at 8/7/2022, 11:20:09 AM

College sports environment, anybody even mentions something like"AAU membership. Academics mean absolutely nothing to today's student athletes and the networks.

are different sides of the same coin. Many profs focus on research and learve classroom to GA and others. Is it really a sign of top academics. In't Sony Brook and University of Buffalo AAU.

Contiguous states were supposedly a MAJOR deal breaker for the B1G…until they added schools in freaking SoCal. Lol. And all these tired arguments about Clemson and FSU, and VT for that matter, not bringing value are bunk. It’s all just a part of the spin that’s being put out there. Those schools are worth the dough. The B1G and SEC are at a place in which they are indeed becoming the NFL of college football. They can’t leave at passionate and relatively large fan bases. They also cannot afford to leave out massive regions of the country. Those fan bases and regions watch OSU vs. Michigan and Auburn vs. Alabama too…at least they do right now. We live in a world in which the 25 year old TV show Friends is still worth an estimated $1 billion/year. Every recent sports TV contract, with one major exception (the ACC), has been massive. An additional reason why I think VT has a place is because I do believe a chunk of at least 8 ACC schools are gonna need to be involved to get us out of this God forsaken league. VT may not be worth the dough now, but put us in the Atlantic division of the BIG and we certainly will be.

And would be shocked if they wouldn't be courted by either of those conferences. They actually have just as much brand recognition (probably more) than those other schools - even Clemson. Even if those 3 schools left (which I don't think the SEC would want both Miami and FSU, and I don't think the B1G goes into Florida), the ACC would still be very viable with all the North Carolina Schools (Minus Wake), Virginia Schools, GT, even UL. Drop the dead weight of Syracuse and BC and Wake, add WVU, keep a Florida school (preferably Miami) and you have a very good conference: Pitt, WVU, UVA, VT, UNC, NCST, Duke, UL, GT, Miami. True round-robin play and could still have a conference championship game ala Big XII, and some great rivalries all around. That's a conference I would love to see.

Even if it's about football, UNC basketball is big and the SEC having both UNC and Kentucky would be huge for that conference. North Carolina is one of the fastest growing states and that market will only improve over the years. I keep hearing Clemson, FSU and Miami to the SEC. The SEC would get stronger and wealthier adding the states of North Carolina and Virginia. I don't think the SEC wants the B1G going south. Those two egotistical power conferences will fight it out. I also keep reading that both those conferences want to max out at 20 members. Notre Dame is certainly one of the remaining eight Power 2 candidates. I can't see the SEC or B1G passing up FSU, Clemson and UNC. I'm not big on Miami. I just don't see the infatuation with them. Maybe "The U" finally lives up to their potential and wins the ACC in the next few years? Based on the last decade, Miami isn't that attractive. Florida and FSU may be enough from that state. Will the B1G add a few more Pac-12 schools to get to 20 or will they try to add AAU schools UVA, UNC and GT from the ACC?

What keeps VT from AAU status? Is it research $$$ invested? Is there an application process for AAU membership? ** Edited by hoodat at 8/7/2022, 12:44:39 PM ** Edited by hoodat at 8/7/2022, 12:54:30 PM

...since that's a requirement for B1X membership...lol VT has more research $$$$$ than several current AAU members, but the last time I checked (several years ago), we wouldn't fall in the top half in AAU research $$$$$. Not sure if that was before our MD med school was up and running "full steam."