it plays out. However, if it plays out that way then there is no guarantee that ESPN will get the new conferences TV contract. Does ESPN want to lose the contract for the new conference to another network? It is quite simply a yes or no question.

If you answer "no," then what is 1 thing that ESPN could offer this new conference that the other networks can't offer? ESPN is in the position, as a third party negotiator, other party to the ACC's contract, and owner of the ACCN, to place pressure on the ACC to give back the TV rights of the exiting schools before the GOR expires.

My point all along has been that if schools are determined to leave the ACC, regardless whether it is before or after the GOR expires, then it may not be in ESPN's best interest to wait until the GOR expires. If ESPN waits until the GOR expires, then it loses the leverage of being the only network to negotiate with this new conference. ESPN knows that if the schools try to leave the ACC before the GOR expires and signs with another network, then they can't earn any money until the GOR expires or the courts rule in favor of the departing schools. Being the only network at the negotiation table can be a pretty powerful position to be in if used properly.

Regardless whether the ACC forces them to stay until GOR expires or let's them leave early, it won't change the ACC's fate as a power conference once the Playoff contract expires (not necessarily the same date as the GOR's expiration date). It won't necessarily change how much money the ACC can earn up until 2036. What can change for the ACC is the expiration date of the current GOR and the fate of the ACCN. In exchange for allowing the schools to leave the ACC early, the ACC could receive the following in return as consideration:

1. A settlement fee from each of the departing schools (paid by whomever).

2. A guarantee from ESPN that it will continue the same pay even though the ACC doesn't have 14 members.

3. Extending the expiration date of the current contract (including current pay) with ESPN beyond 2036 or whatever date it is currently set to expire (if it isn't the same date as the GOR).

4. A guarantee from ESPN that the ACCN won't be discontinued once the football schools have left the ACC. If ESPN plans to discontinue the ACCN, then the rights (including any content rights owned by ESPN) would be transferred to the ACC. At that point, the ACC could then turn around and sell a portion of the rights to another network in exchange for covering some/most of the operating costs.

From ESPN's perspective, it may only view this from a bottom line standpoint. Not how much money ESPN is earning or losing from each pot. Yes, ESPN will probably lose money from the ACC pot. However, ESPN may also see a gain in the Metro 2.0 pot. Maybe even a net overall gain when factoring in the LHN, SECN, ACCN, M2N, etc. while reviewing its financial books at the end of its fiscal year. It is even possible that ESPN would see a larger net gain with the Metro 2.0 than if the schools remained in the ACC until the GOR expires.