new deal in 2036. Stanford already plays them.

This is short term money: getting unknowing Texas/CA subscribers to pay for ACCN and SMU forgoing some payments from ACC. The former was shortsighted years ago and even more so now with what is on the horizon. Longterm you need compelling content, not gaming the current cable setup with schools no one else wants.

I see basically 3 groups. Those that are being held back by the conference (FSU, Clemson, Miami, UNC) Those that wake up every day, thankful that the rest of the conference is there to leach off (BC, Wake, Syr, Looooovile, Duke 9 months out of the year) The rest, who contribute and when things break right can contribute a lot. The top would be dead against this expansion because it just further dilutes their value in the overall conference, if this passes, they will redouble their efforts to burn it down. The bottom wants this because in their world, as long as the conference survives, even if it's as a Big12 clone, they survive. As a matter of fact, the top leaving and paying a big settlement is the best thing possible for them. The question is, how will the middle break, are they willing to settle for being a 2nd rate thing or will they hold out and work to improve with the opportunity they have to create a valuable property that may not be P2, but will be vastly superior to the Big12 model until this whole thing blows up, because it will. ** Edited by Vienna_Hokie at 8/9/2023, 10:40:07 AM

If SMU forgoes distribution for 5 years, Cal/Stanford take reduced shares, and you have additional revenue from ACCN that is not an insignificant money coming the ACC’s way. FSU - who plans to exit as son as it can - would enjoy the revenue boost for 5 years while plotting an exit between now and then. Bringing them in would virtually eliminate a dissolution vote and require a GOR court challenge. They may already be resigned to that. Man, what a bleak longterm ACC would have, though, in substituting top brands for far-off schools who are on the outside looking in at the moment. Not sure SMU should agree to forgoing distribution for multiple years. Concentrate on being a power in your own conference.

I expect Virginia Tech to vote for it since our president received all three of his degrees from Cal and grew up in that area. I'd be pleasantly surprised if Timothy Sands voted against it. If I were an ACC college president, I would vote against it. The last time the ACC expanded with more than one school, Maryland and FSU weren't happy and complained loudly and Maryland ended up surprising the conference by joining the Big 10. Maryland's athletics department was broke at the time and needed more money. Sounds like FSU will be the ACC's next Maryland except their departure has already been prematurally announced. ;) Clemson leaving would be more of a surprise (even though it's possible in this crazy world of conference realignment). ** Edited by Old Line Hokie at 8/8/2023, 11:36:10 PM

Any expansion at this point would be the end of the ACC. There still may be a thing called the ACC, but without several of the core members, who will hasten their departures if this stupidity happens, it will be CUSA v3 (B12 is v2).

the college presidents. We'll see if Tech's BOV leans towards academics or business in their decision. I hope Tech votes "No". Cal and Stanford are attractive as far as academic prestige goes but won't do much for higher payouts. If they did, the Big 10+8 or Big 12+4 would've already invited them. The travel expenses and logistics also concern me. Since it doesn't make sense, the ACC will add those two, SMU or someone like Tulane or Rice.

about pining for Cal and Stanford is crap- just folks vetting their small minded political biases into everything. Even if he has a (pollical or academic ) bias it will have practically no impact on his position and even less on the ultimate outcome.

The ACC had multiple opportunities to benefit from the current and past craziness. But their timid and uncreative and snobbish approach kept them from doing what was obvious to many of us. And so I think the ACC will remain as is and putter along until it has a PAC moment and dies suddenly one summer day in the future.