Carolina BOT Chair Calls for ACC Transparency
This about sums up what realignment is about -- small market vs. large market. And what it all means moving forward in a new age of college sports and paying athletes. I will be surprised if UNC does not file the next lawsuit to exit the ACC. BOT Chair John Preyer points out that Clemson has a problem with not being able to see the details of the media contracts. It's one of the same issues FSU has been trying to resolve. But ESPN and the ACC does not wish to divulge those details. Discovery is half the battle.
"I think that what Clemson is doing is 100 percent proof positive that a significant portion of the membership of the conference is unhappy,” UNC Board of Trustees chair John Preyer told Inside Carolina on Wednesday. “I don't see how it is in anyone's interest for the ACC leadership to try and browbeat its member schools from getting access to information and being transparent. And that's kind of the case Clemson is making.
"I think this shows that what is supposed to be a member-based organization is not being led in a way that represents the best interests of all the members, but instead, it's really representing the bottom tier of the membership at the expense of the top tier, which is why Clemson and Florida State are doing what they're doing. I think that's just obvious."
40 Replies
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Hokie 04
2y
That's a very common sense, understandable sentiment. The type of people who end up on college boards are people who have succeeded in other, non big academia fields. Tim Sands or Jim Ryan at UVA would never come out and say something like that. It's very similar to what we see in politics, where the people who pay taxes are looking at things very differently from the people who receive taxes (Wake and BC, in this situation). Why are we siding with the parasites?
(In response to this post by INSIDE99)
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2hhoop3
2y
have had many years to exert themselves, however, few actually have. Boards are not solely propagated by smart and/or successful people. There are many that are but, there are many that are there as the result of political patronage or other connections as to their own success or ability. How do you know, at present, where VT has sided?
(In response to this post by Hokie 04)
2y
They seem politically locked down at the moment. I do expect that to change eventually, but not yet.
(In response to this post by INSIDE99)
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Stech
2y
conference is unhappy, UNC Board of Trustees chair John Preyer
It doesn’t stop at FSU, Clemson and now UNC either, you can take that to the bank.
This coming from the Founder and main ruling school in many ways of the ACC, is probably the biggest news yet. Digest this and its implications. They are HUGE!!
** Edited by Stech at 3/21/2024, 8:58:03 AM
(In response to this post by INSIDE99)
2y
So, we won't hear any 'collective' unhappiness until their tenure is out during spring meetings.
(In response to this post by Stech)
2y
The question is which programs bring worth to deserve more money and which ones do not.
(In response to this post by Stech)
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2hhoop3
2y
to not overreact yet to Preyer's statement for a variety of reasons. UNC is talking out of both sides of their mouth at present as the OP omitted the statements by their AD which run counter to his. Second, that article might imply Preyer speaks for the board but, he is in actuality one man and one vote. Third, it would be wise to consider that the statement has a different motivation and goal than just saying UNC will sue next. Fourth, whatever actions UNC might want to take, they are still subject to governance and oversight by the UNC system Board of Governors. It will be interesting to watch this play out and see what is just show and posturing as opposed to a call for action.
(In response to this post by Stech)
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saret
2y
calls/subpoenas/discovery/counter discovery/depositions begin. Do some on here panic much Or are some of you just shilling for someone? (obviously, I don't mean you, @2hhoop3 ).
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
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2hhoop3
2y
but, you do not need to exclude me. While I would not call myself a shill or troll akin to some here, my loyalties to VT and the ACC are clear. However, my efforts/posts always have the aim of being grounded in reality.
(In response to this post by saret)
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Stech
2y
wise to underrate it. Especially when he says publicly, “a significant portion of the ACC membership is unhappy.” He also speaks glowingly of Clemson and FSU while taking shots at the Conference Leadership. I think for him to do that publicly, there is something big to this.
Lastly, I know some on here don’t want to see the ACC break up even if schools are way behind in media money and now CFP money, but telling the band to keep playing and all is well, is not a wise decision either.
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
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2hhoop3
2y
is not necessarily underating anything but, it is a call to examine statements, motives and abilities that may not be apparent. Preyer's statement that a significant portion is unhappy has a lot of room for interpretation. You could most likely say every school in the ACC is unhappy making less in the P2. I doubt his statement on FSU and Clemson has any more knowledge and not much more weight than a fan on the street, especially when contrasted with the statement of the UNC AD who is closer to and likely much more knowledgeable of all the facts. His statements no doubt create a stir, their merit, accuracy and real impact are yet to be determined. Think of it this way, there are people on the VT BOV who have little to no clue about athletics but, there are others significantly involved and that is the same all over at other institutions. Preyer is given a pulpit because of his title but, it remains to be seen whether he knows what he is talking about or just shooting his mouth off with personal opinions grounded in little or no knowledge.
(In response to this post by Stech)
2y
The subject, realignment, is the cause of much speech, as well as much silence across The ACC. The AD will not speak out against the conference because he has obligations to the conference. You suggest that he is closer, more knowledgeable of realignment issues. I think these issues are way above his pay grade. The administration will make a decision, consult the AD as a courtesy, then take the action that they had already determined to take.
Are we not already too far down the road on ACC realignment to be questioning UNC's intentions?
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
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2hhoop3
2y
as does having an understanding of how boards and administration's work. The AD will not make the decision but, he will be consulted as far more than a courtesy I can assure you of that. I will also tell you, that when senior level executives are treated with nothing more than courtesy and their advice not seriously considered they, as well as the institution, are probably considering it is time to move on. I think your opinion and understanding of things is flawed when it comes to how institutions and boards utilize senior management in their decision making processes. Have you ever worked or served in that arena before?
(In response to this post by 33laszlo99)
2y
board I ever served on was a ballet company; a little oversight, a little guidance, and a lot of arm-twisting to raise cash. Happy?
AD's are not useless, nor are they unintelligent. They have their niche, and it is an important one. But what they can contribute to a realignment decision can be expressed in minutes.
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
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2hhoop3
2y
you. I stated my opinion and disagreement with your take and then I asked you about your experience to get an idea of how informed/uninformed your opinion might be.
Is it any surprise, that I think you vastly underestimate what AD'S can contribute to a realignment decision. Do you really believe board members whose experience is primarily outside collegiate athletics would contribute more perspective and understanding to the decision making process than a senior level exec who has spent their entire career in collegiate athletics?
(In response to this post by 33laszlo99)
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2hhoop3
2y
Sports and the MONEY it generates is exactly what this is about and amassing the power to control those decisions is the ultimate goal. Once again, I disagree with your assertion it is tangentially about sports. In order to maximize the money you have to understand the product(sports) and method used to distribute that product.
(In response to this post by 33laszlo99)
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2hhoop3
2y
to defending and supporting your positions? You assert an AD'S contribution to realignment to be minimal? Then sidestep the questions about the likelihood of their ability compared to board members by deflecting to say realignment is "tangentially about sports." Now you say sports is a means but, you decline to further explain or defend your position. Here is something else for you to consider, without those "means" there is no realignment discussion and that, by definition, indicates it to be far more than tangential.
(In response to this post by 33laszlo99)
2y
(In response to this post by 2hhoop3)
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2hhoop3
2y
you run and deflect. Nothing has ever been mentioned about approval, just seeing if you can support what you post.
(In response to this post by 33laszlo99)
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VTCALS72
2y
everything that has been or is being done in the ACC. They are the real culprits in the de valuing of the ACC.
(In response to this post by INSIDE99)
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Stech
2y
model. While the SEC did the opposite and drove up ratings/💵 for ESPN, FSU and Miami wanted the easy scheduling model and drove ratings/💵 down. The basketball scheduling has been very good to great, but FSU and Miami brokered the easy scheduling model to supposedly help them get to the National Championship. Now Swofford and later Phillips let them, but they were the ones insisting on it.
PS That’s why I think both will probably end up in the B1G.
(In response to this post by VTCALS72)
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ren_hoek
2y
UNC sounds like they're more aligned with Clemson and FSU. Wow.
(In response to this post by INSIDE99)
2y
of the group of 7 who then form a "new" conference (possible merger with the Big 12, what shall we call such a group, the CSA? Confederate Schools of America?) or a jailbreak where its every man for himself?
** Edited by mancunian at 3/21/2024, 9:56:58 AM
(In response to this post by ren_hoek)
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Stech
2y
ESPN, just needs to announce they are not continuing the ACC media contract with so many disgruntled schools. Then the Mag 7 jump to a P2, and ESPN negotiates a new lesser payout deal with the remaining schools and the new ones they bring into the Conference. The Academic Conference of Champions becomes even more of a basketball first school. This IMHO will be similar to the Big East, but have Tier 2 football too.
(In response to this post by mancunian)
2y
to oversee the umbrella empire. But the puppet leader has plans of their own and the houses have to fight internally while also dealing with raiders from the outside.
I just started reading Dune so the conflict between houses and the emperor is at the front of my mind right now.
(In response to this post by mancunian)
2y
the Spice Guild, and the ACC is Duke Leto Atriedes...that makes the ACC Gurney Halleck?
Dune is a GREAT book. I gotta pick that one up again.
(In response to this post by HokieAl)
2y
** Edited by HokieAl at 3/21/2024, 10:40:49 AM
(In response to this post by mancunian)
To me, the 3rd paragraph sounds like a top tier school angling for
even more unequal conference payouts.
(In response to this post by ren_hoek)
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daveinop
2y
it is totally fair; no member is entitled to or has an investment in another's OOC activity.
(In response to this post by Femoyer Hokie)
2y
That's how it's usually done. The lower tier teams have no interest in letting Clemson/FSU make money off their investments. That's the whole problem.
(In response to this post by daveinop)
I've always felt that ACC leadership was Amateur Hour.
Even going back to before we were invited. The botched 2003 invitations was just one example. And a more recent example: when they went to the 3-5-5 scheduling and thought is was a good idea to end the 33-year Miami-VT annual series. What a joke.
(In response to this post by INSIDE99)
2y
Link:
clique
(In response to this post by Maroon Baboon)
2y
basket"!!
(In response to this post by mancunian)
2y
Conferences were regional, money was relatively small, nobody really wanted to leave, and most things were on auto-pilot. Any dope who could keep the lights on was good enough.
Of course that radically changed in the early 00's and leadership suddenly became extremely important.
But the ACC didn't adapt and went right on hiring dopes so...
(In response to this post by Maroon Baboon)
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VTCALS72
2y
(In response to this post by Maroon Baboon)
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ren_hoek
2y
for the decades of mismanagment. And don't forget Swofford - even if he didn't screw the conference with the sweetheart Raycom deal for his boy, he still couldn't negotiate his way out of a wet paper bag. His legacy will be one of failure that resulted in the downward spiral of the ACC.
(In response to this post by VTCALS72)
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VTCALS72
2y
(In response to this post by ren_hoek)