I believe the ACC and ND will find a path forward; maybe even when
NBC deal ends.
Think about the schools the ACC is trying appease to stay together and what that is costing in terms of viability. It's just crazy.
The ACC doesn't want to break up. But if its football schools don't significantly improve improve their economic viability, it will ABSOLUTELY break up.
AND, it has an exclusive negotiation window with a current partial member that can facilitate delivery of the economic goals.
Is it better to let the relationship collapse and extend the misery as long as possible and screw everyone, or do you have the integrity to address the stark realities?
I think some form of ACC contraction is inevitable, at least in football. If they do that, I think the ACC football group can offer ND enough scheduling flexibility that it can maintain its various rivalries sufficient to keep their fanbase appeased "enough" to make the move.
Pitt, ND, VT, UVA, UNC, NCSU, Clemson, GT, FSU, Miami, UL, and WVU is a very economically competitive core football group. Every one of those teams could be ranked in any given year and put 2 or even 3 teams in an expanded playoff.
Heck, play an 8 game football schedule for the ACCN and conference standings and let each of the schools sell their own OOC games.
Rotate Wake, Duke, Syracuse, and BC in and out in some fashion; or agree to continue to play them OOC with some frequency; or let them sell their own games and not be part of the regular football distribution; or some combination of things. But find a way.
That way ND can at least head off the two super conference scenario and potential affiliation with the B1G. And the football schools can at least have a chance of keeping up with the SEC and B1G.
[Post edited by daveinop at 08/13/2021 09:04AM]
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In response to this post by goldendomer)
Posted: 08/13/2021 at 09:04AM