Already, the Chancellor of the NC system, directed all power five universities, that they will not have any discussions or decisions about changing conferences without the boards approval. Also, the consideration of the state will be the holistic health of all the campuses. (this means, no UNC if you get a big 10 or SEC invite, you cannot be invited without an invite of NC State

That would be enough for me to leave NCSU for dead, but I can't speak for anyone else.

in that room. They could have easily fought like crazy for FSU, but we probably won't here about it, until it doesn't matter. I would not throw them out without all the facts.

only question I have, is who goes where and when? You probably won't like it and it is just a guess, but I would not be surprised to see FSU, Clemson, Miami and ND to the B1G. Since we all know right now that ESPN runs the playoff, yeah as Prime said, this is a business with business decisions being made for what's best for my business. If that guess is right, then you understand a lot of things about why this happened.

If I were a decision maker, there would be an overwhelming mistrust in ESPN. Aligning with an ESPN conference would be a non-starter if there were a choice between the P2. I'd prefer to take 5 with us to the B1G - FSU or Miami, GT, UNC, UVa, VT.

group of teams together in the B1G would be quite a coup.

think it's going to happen. If all 7 can get a P2 invite, good for them, not sure it effects the b12 one way or the other. If, however, the B12 can pick up a Louisville, a Cuse, and a couple others, I see that as a good thing, not a bad thing.

enough leaving though, the GOR would crush the small amount of schools that would be left. The majority "could" create a case against the GOR, but 2-3 schools would get crushed in court IMHO. However, all of this pales in comparison to a Pay for Play Division. Once that happens IMHO it will, many will opt out of being Tier 1 because they are going to need to be in the P2 to be able to afford to do it. Now what could save the B12 and the ACC is if they start paying out basketball like football, but I don't think the P2 wants that money for their tournament going to the NCAA anymore, they are going to use it to pay their athletes. The other divisions will be run by the NCAA and they will have their own tournament. Some of the higher rated academic schools want to keep this set up and some just won't get a choice.

is in its current configuration. Every single ACC team would jump at the P2 in a heartbeat. I don't see ESPN giving the kind of contract to the ACC that would keep FSU and Clemson happy, nor entice ND to join, so from where I'm sitting, it's just a matter of time. Like Arizona State and Utah, that wanted nothing to do with the B12, if the top teams of the ACC leave, the phones will be ringing. BTW, those are some pretty good academic schools, and some decent markets - and they were not invited to the P2. It's not a matter of what the B12 wants, or not. It all comes down to what the P2 wants, or not. The B12 is NOT poaching schools, the B12 was the last resort for all of the additions that have been made after Texas and Oklahoma announced their departure. The ACC did not want WVU, UCF, Houston, and apparently, they did not want the 4 corners either. UConn is a no brainer for the ACC, but you guys continue to pass on them as well. Frankly, I hope they come to the B12.

and Clemson go, I think it will be to Fox/B1G. They already have Florida and South Carolina fans. It's not just ESPN, Fox is a player too. Fox likes to spread out, ESPN likes close geographical rivalries. Texas Texas A&M, Auburn Alabama, Ole Miss Mississippi State. Consequently, I think ESPN wants new states in the South. There is a reason that people in North Carolina and Virginia with power keep saying you get both or none, and that fits ESPN's model just fine. PS The Virginia Congressman and Women and Senators get together for lunch every month because of former Secretary of the Navy John Warner setting the precedent. The two biggest priorities are to protect our Military Bases and our State schools. North Carolina is very similar on the State School part, you don't hear anything but good things from either of their administrations. In fact I know as a fact that all four of them get along great, in spite of what some of the fan bases say about each other. ** Edited by Stech at 12/6/2023, 1:19:22 PM

and they make it a requirement to join their conference, then it raises 2 interesting questions WRT the VA and NC schools being a package deal. 1. Can the schools afford this new requirement? 2. Do they want to participate in this new environment?

unless you’re in the P2…the new Pay for Play Division that many think is coming. Unlike some on this board, I think all 4 are for paying the athletes. Consequently, I think they will sooner or later join a P2 Conference. My hope and belief is that they will join together. I’m a big regional conference fan so student athletes mainly only have to cross one time zone. So I personally want them to join the SEC. PS There are some very good Academic institutions in the new SEC, for those that care about that.

agree that all 4 probably don't have the same amount already in the bank because their brand values are different. UNC is probably in the best position to switch to that model given its connection to the Jordan brand. I guess I would put UVA at second. Although the minimum amount referenced in the proposal may be a little too rich for UVA's blood given the number of sports they currently sponsor. WRT to VT and NC State, I am not sure if they would be tied at third or even fourth because of how far they are behind UVA. They probably could afford it in a P2 conference, but it isn't clear to me how much above the minimum amount they could go when you start to factor in all the sports. If they can only hover around the minimum, then it may not be worth it to go down this path when other schools are able to go well above the minimum amount.

Many think that will be over $100 million in the not too distant future. With that money, they can afford to pay athletes. As far as VT, the main money is in football, I would put there ratings up there and probably beyond the other 3. Now UNC basketball and UVA basketball are above us for sure. So if the Pay for Play Division breaks off from paying the NCAA for the tournament, both will bring in a lot of money to the conference there. UNC is not leaving NCSU behind, and the same is true for Virginia Tech and UVA. I think all 4 stick together.

quickly the schools would start to see that money flowing in. At least I am assuming the start up cost would be a significant jump in expenses too particularly if the schools want to pay the going rates for their desired sports. Now if they are content to just pay the minimum amount until the money starts flowing in, then what kind of impact would that have on their desired sports? Would the fan base be okay seeing the star players leave to go play for another school because they could earn more money there?

than anything else they can get.

Using VT and UVA as an example. Both would do it for different reasons. I think VT would spend the money in order to get more media money and spend it on football and basketball. UVA would also want the money but would probably spend more of it on basketball and Olympic sports. Just a matter of priorities. I think UVA would be ok with only being ok in football in order to secure funds and access for everything else. VT would care more about football success. But both would do it for the money.

start-up cost. I guess it is even possible the minimum amount could end up being higher than what was proposed. It will depend on how the Big Ten and SEC will want to play this out. Hence why I thought there might be 2 questions in play here. At least it is possible they desire to be associated with the P2, but they can't make the numbers work to cover the start-up cost until the P2 money starts flowing in.