When ACC worked with ESPN/Disney on the ACC Network. ESPN advised they wanted too, but they needed to get SEC Network done. They did.... ACC negotiations wanted more money, but ESPN was not prepared to immediately give the SEC level funding at the time. I believe ESPN and ACC agreed to start the Network early, but at a lower level revenue projections with a condition that it would be adjusted in about 4-6 years out to adjust for market conditions. this does not nullify the Grant of Right contract but adjustment up between 2 partners.

I think ABC/Disney visioned back then a college football landscape with 4 conferences. They have 2 ACC (East coast markets) and SEC Sun belt. Fox gets Big ten north and PAC 12 west. I believe in closed doors with Texas going rougue with the Longhorn Network, that severely hurt the Big 12. (and still does).. Further, the current rights structures are built on 12 members not 10, but paying them on 12. The networks didn't reduce it but will after 2025. With all the new situations in college football, this allowed Oklahoma and Texas to make the move.

I don't think the networks want just one mega conference, and 4 fits right. Whatever the ACC does, it will be socialized extremely with Disney. I think WVU is a given, (also be interesting with the SEC strength will insist that only teams in conferences get a bid and with 16 POWER programs in the till, they might get most of the slots in the 12 team championship. The remaining goes to the ACC, Big 10 and PAC 12. , and a token for the lower conferences. That's it.....