The funny thing about conference realignment is that there are all these rumors about who is doing what and who is in an alliance with who that the earth-shattering news usually pops up out of nowhere. I mean, we were all just living life one minute and then all of the sudden UCLA and USC are in the Big Ten.
So who really knows what's going on behind closed doors, what is being discussed and what brainstorming sessions have gone on. One thing is for certain is this isn't over.
I'm an ACC guy and am pretty concerned about what will eventually happen to the league I love. The Grant of Rights is currently keeping the ACC together but eventually it will either end or not be threatening enough to fight. So what can the ACC do? I've been crying for the ACC to try to get Pac-12 schools for over a year now. I'm not sure if that's been seriously discussed by the powers that be in the league or if the Pac-12 schools are even interested but it's something I feel should be vetted for the long term survival of the conference.
To put it bluntly, the members will be spending the next 14 years making A LOT less money than both the SEC and Big Ten schools with the possibility that the Big 12 and/or Pac-12 will either approach or pass them in television revenue along the way. We know that schools like Clemson, Miami, Florida State, North Carolina and others are attractive to both the SEC and Big Ten and if there was any way those universities could break the Grant of Rights deal and leave, they would already been courting an exit. So what can be done?
The Big Ten's recent deal with Fox, CBS and NBC could be a small light for the ACC to make a move. Why? Well, ESPN (who is currently in business with the ACC) just lost a lot of Big Ten inventory and will look to fill it with more ACC and SEC games. The ACC could argue that without Big Ten games, their games are a little more valuable to the network. ESPN will also look to solidify a deal with the Pac-12 to fill that late night window (games beginning at 10pm or later ET) which Fox/CBS/NBC won't really have aside from those Big Ten games at UCLA or USC. So the ACC may want to make a play for several Pac-12 schools to fill that void.
Again, in 2021, I said the ACC should add USC, UCLA, Stanford and either Cal or Oregon. That would be a strong attraction for Notre Dame to also join the conference since they already play five ACC games and now two of their other rivals (USC and Stanford) would also be in the league. That didn't happen with USC now bolting for the Big Ten. Still, Stanford, Cal, Oregon and Washington would be a nice grab with an opening for possibly Oregon State and Washington State to come aboard.
Now, does this move the needle? Not really. Aside from Oregon, none of those football schools do are true TV stars. But it does help fill those ESPN late night windows that they would be paying for anyway, and it could open up the ESPN/ACC contract to renegotiate their deal. Now, you have to make a deal that not only adds significant money to share with four or six more schools but one the other 14 (or 15 counting Notre Dame) programs. The selling point is that ESPN was going to have to spend money on the Pac-12 for those games anyway, that they would actually spending less to add money to a 20-team ACC deal and solidify a lot more content. Plus those ACC at Pac-12 games would be much more attractive to an East Coast audience than a Oregon State-Arizona game. As someone living on the East Coast, I'd only watch a Cal-Washington game if I had nothing better to do, but a Florida State-Washington game would be a bit more interesting to me just because it matters a bit more. The ACC has markets in New York City, Pittsburgh, Boston, Charlotte, Atlanta, Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Louisville that would now have audience caring about a game in that 10:30pm ET window that they really didn't before.
Again, this is likely a Hail Mary of sorts, but one that could work for the survival of the league. If nothing happens, the ACC will just be filled with angry members just waiting for the right time when it is financially feasible for them to leave. Remember that the Big Ten's deal runs only until 2030 and will be up for renegotiation then ... and ACC schools that want to bolt may be willing to make a deal to leave at that point. That may happen regardless of what the ACC does now, but it would soften the blow somewhat and allow the ACC the strength to build back up with more Pac-12 schools or going after the Big 12. It could also be in position to be the third league that would rise up to join the SEC and Big Ten in some other formed football enterprise.
Whatever, the ACC can not afford to just sit and wait this out.
