FL and DeSantis is not going to miss the opportunity to rip their hides, especially since FSU is the one who was harmed. There is no political downside when he can say he was just looking out for the Noles. This will get VERY UGLY for Disney. I predict they will cave - at least with regard to FSU. I was wondering if FSU would boycott the Orange Bowl last season. I wouldn't be surprised if they threaten it this year, or maybe play non-home games in Orlando. Whatever they do to harm the ACC actually helps them because ESPN will be more likely to drop the contract and FSU's damages will be lower. ** Edited by TDVick at 3/30/2024, 3:33:16 PM

in the details... What is in that ESPN contract with the ACC is going to be the end of it all. Once it's revealed all ACC members will be suing. As I have mentioned, the fact ESPN has until Feb 2025 to sign the ACC media extension past 2026 on through 2036 was only discovered when FSU filed their lawsuit. What's about to break the bank is that ESPN has already declined that extension. And none of the ACC members were notified. If what I just said is true and Clemson/FSU leaves the conference before June 30, the entire ESPN contract is voided for 2024. That's where the reference to dissolution has sprung. Better hope this is all wrong. Have at it. "It's not what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just a'int so." - Mark Twain ** Edited by INSIDE99 at 3/31/2024, 1:20:03 AM

know, that is even worse. I'm just trying to figure out how it played out and there is no way that it looks good. My other guess is that the ACC numbers would have been a lot worse than the SEC's and the ACC people didn't want that being in the press all the time, so they added a very valuable (to ESPN) embedded option the allowed them to claim that the gap wasn't so big. It is sort of the way that counties give big pensions because the politicians know they will be gone when the crisis hits. Were they just tried to go along with shenanigans to create short term optics? That makes more sense. If they didn't know, then how did that conversation go? "Hey guys we have magic, double top secret contract that is tucked away in Swofford's pocket that we won't let you read, but you need to vote on it?" I'm not saying you are wrong, but if they knew it was a bad contract it was a terrible decision, but if the administrators didn't know, doesn't that mean they just didn't do the job they were supposed to do? This thing looks very sleazy on ESPN's behalf. With the unwind option being included, they had a tremendous incentive to unravel the ACC. ** Edited by TDVick at 3/31/2024, 5:55:11 PM

"lets stand together" but we already have that. It is called the ACC and GOR. Anybody who would trust UNC, Miami or FSU is just ignorant. Their idea of a partnership is push us over the wall and we will (wink) reach back and pull you up after we get over. Of course, every school is like that.

You have to have 8 minimum to have an NCAA-recognized conference, and you aren't pulling schools from the SEC, B10, and probably B12 (I presume it signed a GOR). You start with the Mag 7: U.Va. Va Tech UNC NCSU Clemson FSU Miami If you go to only 8, which would the Mag 7/ESPN pick? Duke? GT? Louisville? Wake? My guess is Duke gets picked due to the UNC rivalry but perhaps on a reduced share. If you go to 10, my guess is the Mag 7/ESPN add GT and Louisville, perhaps also at reduced shares. While Wake is an ACC charter member, it's just so small, and none of the other ACC charter members view Wake as a primary rival who must make the trip. Sorry, Wake.

they just have to agree to the protective order not to release it. The administration in Tally just wants it out there to undermine Disney. keep in mind that NONE of the networks want their contracts released; they may be in there arguing for ESPN if push comes to shove.

Once FSU gains access to of any doc it is public info per all Florida Sunshine laws. That's what part of the hearing last week in Mecklenburg County was about - specifically this.

that's why ACC/ESPN set up access the way they have. FSU can read it as much as they want, but they can't have it. When working with the state agencies, you walk into a meeting with numbered drafts, or you let them view your computer screen. And then you leave with what you brought. Or you have them come to your place and leave only with what they brought with them. I've done that while developing and negotiating agreements, permit conditions, project design elements, etc. with FL agencies for years and years. Obviously at other times you use the Sunshine Laws to get info into the public domain when it is to your advantage. Done that as well. FSU's goal right now is to release the document as much (or more) as it is to read it; they could have already read it if that's all they wanted. FWIW, I Sunshined FSU for the GOR and the ESPN contract years ago. I got a quick reply from their legal folks that they didn't have it in their files. All of the shock/surprise/drama that they don't have the docs is just made up for the public. They knew what they were doing, and why, in 2013 and 2016. edit: when you meet with FL agency staff, they know the drill. and they'll be clear about it as well..."is this something I can keep or do I need to leave it here? if I have it, I'll have to release it if someone asks for it". all of the fed/state agency reps know this but private parties are often unaware that their info could go public; and they would consider release of their info a breach of trust. ** Edited by daveinop at 3/30/2024, 8:21:06 AM ** Edited by daveinop at 3/30/2024, 8:31:10 AM ** Edited by daveinop at 3/30/2024, 11:15:40 AM

ESPN says it's fine for FSU to have a copy just so there is a protective order preventing FSU from making it public. But FSU can't agree to a protective order under Florida public record laws. The issue has to be addressed under Florida law. Even if the parties agreed to keep it private does not matter. Once FSU or its lawyers see them, they are public. Right? Trying to redact true trade secrets is fair. This seems to be more about saying the whole agreement is trade secret. The stuff on extentions and options are not trade secrets.

They may be trying to argue otherwise but winning that argument would kneecap the state agencies...few if any private parties, other states, and even many fed agencies would ever negotiate with them because all deliberative docs would be public. The legislature would probably have to turn around and change the state law. As an example, FL has gone thru all kinds of crazy hoops to get the Florida Land Council to work them...that's why no names appear in many of the states ag records...the majority of that info is coded. That keeps neighbors, competitors, and advocacy groups from being able to know what is on the other side of the fence. At one point FLC's 19 members owned nearly 20% of the state; their influence on agriculture and development gives them a ridiculous amount of influence on the legislative makeup of the state. Something to think about...FSU's contractual issues with the ACC would be the same in the B1G, SEC or Big 12. Those media contracts aren't public either. If FSU's position is that the TV contract has to be public, then what other conference could they join? UF doesn't have the SEC contract. UCF doesn't have the Big 12 contract. ** Edited by daveinop at 3/31/2024, 9:17:05 AM ** Edited by daveinop at 3/31/2024, 10:42:15 AM

It makes one ponder what ACC members really know about what's in that ESPN media contract signed a decade earlier. I understand some of the composition clauses. But I don't think the national media is swift to report on the content that's available. The fact most main news sources are still quoting a GoR as running through 2036, when the world now knows that option has yet to be extended past 2026, is very odd. I chalk it up to a lack of investigative reporting. If 2 teams leave the ACC the ESPN agreement is voided for 2024 and must be renegotiated by the league with any network they can. Why this composition clause is not being widely reported is anyone's guess. It certainly opens up a massive fire drill alarm. That's all I can say.

your last paragraph from? Or is this just more of your "speculation"? You never did answer the question Nole or Tiger?

If you read other trusted journalists this info is available from numerous first hand sources. Not sure how many times I have to post everything, including what I type, is speculation. If 2 teams, especially the Tier 1 members Clemson and FSU, leave the ACC then ESPN has the option to immediately renegotiate its ACC contract and avsolutely will for far less money moving forward. Even for 2024. Regardless of when they leave, the ACC payout is going to get significantly reduced. Calford and SMU only compounds the lesser value. Thought that would be common knowledge. I'm actually a Knoxville Vol if that matters.

your common habit to make your speculation a definitive statement of fact is the issue, just as you have done again in the post I am now responding to. We'll see how close all your speculation that you try to dress up as fact turns out to be. A Vol, that explains a lot.

Sorry if I come across as too definitive. I don't know how else to counter such beyond mentioning in more than half my posts that its all speculation. Hope you don't mind me sharing in the drama that has true football fans engulfed. Crazy stuff I never could have imagined. But I do find it perplexing that there are many ACC fans and beyond that still cling to the belief that the ACC will remain in tact for the next 7 years or beyond and that ESPN will continue to pay the same rates whether top teams leave or not. Those people are not paying attention or are in denial. If the Pac 12, Texas/OU, and the new CFP agreement doesn't demonstrate what's happening I'm not sure what I can say that changes this archaic thinking until it's too late. It's all going down before kickoff. We'll that's the speculation I'm buying.

by just saying you think or believe something will happen as opposed to using definitive words such as it's all going down before kickoff or ESPN will or will not do such and such. I think you knew that already but, just choose to state exactly as you do for other reasons. Not many expect the ACC to remain in tact for 7 more years and even less until 2036. What people believe as far as what ESPN will or will not pay depends on their reading of contract language already in the public domain and/or communicated from other sources likely in the know. You consider others thinking to be archaic and yours to be enlightened and informed. It will be interesting to see how your speculations and opinions play out and whether other people or you should actually have been paying more attention.

I would love to hear your take on how some of this plays out. Whether you may be right or wrong is OK, I get the sense you are well read on the topic or you would not be on this alignment board. But please, I hope you come back and hold me to some of these predictions. I trust the people telling me these things but as I have stated, even the sources speculate. I also make predictions on who wins games - part of being a fan. And if I was right all the time I would live in Vegas. I also believe VT can make the playoffs this season. There I said it :) ** Edited by INSIDE99 at 4/1/2024, 2:44:31 AM

No Florida teams should wind up in the B1G (for FSU, 850 miles to the nearest current B1G; Miami even further); but they could. Much more logistically viable for the east coast schools. FSU should be watching how it goes with USC/UCLA; that's the comp. If ESPN disconnects with the ACC, it will have to cede some major market assets to FOX a decade sooner than they have to. Still not convinced they'll do this.

Im not saying they are right or wrong, but their conduct of he discussion sounds like a bunch of crazies. You really dont know who is running the railroad. FSU claim should be a pure business situation; it has good merits; they have collected evidence, and now debating. The goal was to get out of the ACC without the GOR and exit fee. If they can do that, then they can have options. Now with its drama, and and out of control Board of Trustees (who all think they are AD's and have an ax to grind with Disney has poisoned any relationship with ESPN (who is STILL a major player in college football). They needed to craft the argument with the ACC not ESPN. FSU is wasting alot of attorney bill able hours. The Clemson approach to me, is much more solid and REALLY has merit. They have done solid due diligence, they never showed their cards, they have minimize in the social media, any information, but the facts. They are focused on only THE Grant of Rights approach. They have YET to mention anything about leaving the ACC in the media, just the GOR (Very strategic).. I agree with you, I don't think ESPN is willing to give up the Mid Atlantic to FOX. I wonder if ESPN has talked to the 7 and said, if you create your own new conference, that would be Power 5, and stay at 8. I think their math would be to raise the new group's right fees to much nearer to the SEC. They would keep the market; also FSU and the Big 10 won't expand there. Problem is the the playoffs, I would expect 1) get the same allotment than the old acc (big gap) and 2) question would they be able to defend 2 slots. Actually that would also hurt the big 12 who still dont have any marquee programs.

to make a big enough stink to get ESPN to pull the plug on the agreement early. If FSU loses to the ACC and FSU can't find the money for a buyout, then ESPN is still stuck with a decade of marketing maybe the highest profile malcontent ever. But if ESPN pulls the plug, the GOR would likely no longer apply and then your scenario or something similar could kick in...making what would effectively be ACC downsizing much more politically palatable for the football powers.

and each of the BOT appointed by the current admin also believes they are the favored child...quite the cluster right now

ESPN/ACC contract before making a separation vote. Maybe they know there is stuff in the contract that is wrong. And they want the public to see how ESPN is controlling things underneath.

extension. And some of them were on the oversight group monitoring Swafford when it was set up. Both suits are primarily about getting a judge to confirm the bounds/enforceability of the GOR and to see if there are chinks in the armor of the withdrawal fee. All else is made for TV.