Lots of chatter out there about a Pac12 + Big 12 merger.
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That would be perfect, they can take some of the ACC schools that donāt get B10/SEC invites. They would still make more than what the ACC currently offers.
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My biggest worry is that UVa is the type of University that is so change averse that theyāll literally sit on the sinking ship until all the lifeboats are gone. So while we should be courting schools like UNC right now to go Big10 together, we probably arenāt and wonāt start that sort of outreach until all of the musical chairs are taken.
(I hate to admit that Maryland was pretty brilliant in this regard.)
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I donāt knowā¦ Iām following all this with interest but itās not for me. For me, itās like listening to people talk about their fantasy teams. Like, Iāve heard of most of these teams, but why are we talking about them together? Kevin Warren is all like āI drafted Dalvin Cook and Peyton Manning!ā And Iām all like ācoool, I guess, but can we talk about work or something?ā
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Peyton retired while Dalvin was in college so Kevin Warren is either really bad at fantasy football or heās in a hardcore dynasty league.
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Marylandās move was made due to financial desperation. It just happened to turn out well.
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That having been said, its a tricky situation to plan for because the ACCās deal is so punitive that its an all-or-nothing. No oneās leaving individually, probably not even Clemson or FSU, but its possible enough teams get poached that the ACC completely blows up. If it blows up, then anyone who doesnāt have a deal set up is hosed but if the ACC doesnāt blow up then those deals arenāt going to happen, making them tricky to negotiate.
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I actually think that VT still has the bigger name recognition for some reason. People always accidentally think of VT as being the flagship school and not UVA for what itās worth.
I think our biggest disadvantage is size of enrollment and underdeveloped football, though our undergrad population is double that of Notre Dame and Northwestern. The BIG research collaborative is no joke and we add academic and research weight. We are really good in most sports and sort of help with the DC market. I think after Nebraska lost AAU status after BIG membership they will want solid AAU schools (UNC, GT, UVA, Duke).
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I agree! Iāve held out hope for the ACC but I think itsā only a matter of time now.
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fitting, really
https://twitter.com/VirginiaSports/status/1542840442202361861
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I like Navy as an addition. Furthermore, I have a suspicion that they are an attractive media draw, even if unexploited for years. Thereās a reason the Army-Navy game gets good ratings every year. They have a national following, not just a regional one. While their football and basketball programs have built in limitations, their other sports programs have a world of potential, they are a great academic fit, and they are a great geographical fit. I much prefer them to others mentioned. In fact, I would have preferred adding them to replace Maryland instead of Louisville.
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Thereās also one day every year when people gorge themselves on Turkey. Some things just have a day.
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Adding navy doesnāt let the ACC renegotiate itās TV rights deal. The only thing that would let us do that is and joining the league. Which isnāt happening now because the Big just big dicked everyone and ND knows it.
The ACC is dead. We need to be the first one off the sinking ship if weāre gonna get off it at all
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Assuming that it only takes a simple majority to change the GoR clause, for that change to happen eight schools would have to believe that they have an assured positions in either the Big Ten or SEC. I am uncertain that either the of those conferences are interested in going beyond 20 members at this time. 20 would seem the likely goal, for the moment. If that is true, then there wouldnāt be enough openings to accommodate eight teams from the ACC. Lastly, I donāt know what sort of majority is required to change the GoR clause. For all I know, it could require a two thirds majority or, even, a three quarters majority. I remain unconvinced that we will see any changes to the GoR issue in the near future.
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Thereās absolutely a reason they play that game as a standalone the week after the season ends.
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I really think their appeal is something worth exploring. Among other things, every one of their games would be showing on every ship in the fleet regardless of where that ship might be. Admittedly, every ship has multiple rec rooms with TVs in all, so the Navy game would not be, in all likelihood, the only game being shown. But, if there are Annapolis grads there, you can be sure the game will be shown. If itās a win, they will probably be replayed. I also suspect that the Navy has untapped resources it could use to promote its participation in a more prestigious conference.
Totally agree on the issue around needing a majority of ACC teams to peace out at once. Who knows exactly how itāll play out. That said, with the moves being made and the money at play, I guess Iāll personally be surprised if we make it to 2025 without the ACC in some way tearing itself apart. Yes there are legal obstacles, but I bet they will be somehow overcome. Either that or members are going to start suing the conference to escape.
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Not a knock on Navy or Army, but neither of those programs truly move the needle in demographics ratings, etc. They arenāt a bad addition to any conference but they arenāt saving it. They are also only a net gain on football, the other sports (save rugby) would be a negative.
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You have to also consider the Big 12 and the ACC members they would want. The payout should still be bigger than what the ACC currently offers.