All of the discussion here about the secrecy of the ACCN negotiations mkes me believe that there will not likely be a dedicated ACCN cable channel, at least not with ESPN. It seems normal enough that the details (when, who, how, and how much $$) should be kept behind closed doors. But why can't JS even say WHAT they hope to produce? That doesn't need to be a secret. He has never said that there would be a ACCN cable channel.
After all the years of study, the conference and ESPN both know how much demand exists for a conference channel, not just in the ACC footprint, but nationwide. ESPN has some selfish motives for dragging their feet: they really don't want another broadcast outlet drawing viewers and advertisers away from their current channels; they negotiated carriage deals in 2012 and 2014 with just about every carrier (don't want to go through that again); they want to bid on a chunk of B1G Tier 1 & 2 games.
They don't have to do anything at all until 2026 (2027?) Somebody said here earlier, that the $43 million may have been "baked in" from the beginning. So maybe the only way ESPN acts on this is if NBC i.e. makes a move to fix a deal with ACC/Raycom. And, still, maybe NBC will make a hard run at some of the B1G Tier 1 & 2, diminishing their interest in the ACC.
This conference is not in a good position to get a cable channel, but I disagree that they are vulnerable to poaching because of it. Delany is not being aggressive, he's patient. The most likely event between now and GoR expiry is the departure of Oklahoma from the Big 12. Boren has walked out to the end of the dock. If he doesn't jump in, he will look foolish.