I am also quite sure when ND joined the ACC, the contract they signed says if they become a full member of a conference during the length of the contract, it has to be with the ACC.Well, if ND wants to join the B1G, it's going to cost them. They are contractually obligated to join the ACC only for the next 11 or so years. I don't know what the penalty would be if they joined another conference, but it has to be considerable. In addition, they are obligated to pay the same exit fee ($50+ M) any full-membership team would. I don't see the B1G in ND's immediate future.
I am also quite sure when ND joined the ACC, the contract they signed says if they become a full member of a conference during the length of the contract, it has to be with the ACC.
I think Brando's source is not credible...
...but let's not allow facts to get in the way of a good rumor...
Nothing would make me happier than the ND stuck in the Big Ten. The only thing the ND fanbase loves more than Independence is their hatred of the Big Ten and how Michigan blackballed them.
No chance ND joins the Big Ten in the near future. I would love it it would be great. I don't care about the money the Big Ten would get the ND fanbase would be miserable.
Brando works for FOX this is wishful thinking for a loyal soldier. ND football will never join a full football conference unless the NCAA mandates it necessary.
- Becoming a B1G member will require ND to play 9 conference games. Their current list of rivals are: Navy, USC, Pitt, BC, Purdue, MSU, UofM. They've shown they're willing to sacrifice a few of those to enable their relationship with the ACC, but they will NEVER give up playing Navy or USC. So that would leave them with 1 non-conference opening, and 2 annual rivals (Pitt and BC) that they'd likely have to discontinue playing.
That's what drives me nuts about the ND to the B1G rumors. There's a lot of history there that goes far beyond money (maybe not for a guy like Jim Delany, but for his voting ADs, significantly) that seems to never be taken into consideration.
Considerations:
- Notre Dame is not an AAU member due to its desire to be independent from sectarian academic organizations. This in and of itself is a problem for the B1G, compounded even mores by what membership in the B1G would demand of requiring to become part of the CIC.
- There's a significant amount of history with ND and B1G schools and while they may be rivals, ND's arrogance towards conference membership has burned some bridges. If they want into the B1G, then they're going to have to kiss some asses that they won't.
- ND would mean 15 for the B1G. Who's 16? With the signed deal with Fox, is there any type of incentive to the B1G for adding ND? Does that contract have a look-in if a new team is added? What's the cumulative value to the conference of both ND and the 16th team?
- ND values its football independence more than any other tradition it has this side of gold helmets and a Jesus on a library.
- Becoming a B1G member will require ND to play 9 conference games. Their current list of rivals are: Navy, USC, Pitt, BC, Purdue, MSU, UofM. They've shown they're willing to sacrifice a few of those to enable their relationship with the ACC, but they will NEVER give up playing Navy or USC. So that would leave them with 1 non-conference opening, and 2 annual rivals (Pitt and BC) that they'd likely have to discontinue playing.
From the recent article with the Clemson AD, regardless of how little he actually did say, he did make it clear that ACC AD's were watching closely the emerging gap between B10, SEC and the rest. I imagine there is crazy pressure on Swofford to make this happen ASAP.Brando has disavowed his comments regarding ND to the B1G. Says he was "misunderstood." Personally, I think Brando fell for some dude or dudette's line of horse sh&t, but whatever prompted his ill-advised tweet it has been retracted.
P.S. Brando still stands by his claim that the ACC Network will be announced sooner rather than later.
That's like the old - I apologize to anyone who was offended by my remarks. I think we understood your points fine Timmy.Tim Brando @TimBrando 12h
It appears the essence of my tweet concerning the ACC in its quest to have its own Network sooner rather than later has been misconstrued.
The intent of the Tweet was based on Intel regarding Conference realignment being back on the table. That part is accurate.
I've spoken to the ultimate source within the ACC, and it should be noted I've always been a proponent of ND joining the ACC in all sports.
Not only did ND join the Conference and sign a Grant of Rights to the ACC. Additionally a contract is in place beyond that assuring no move!
A contract exists saying that when The Irish join a Conference in football that League can ONLY be the ACC. Period.
I stand by the Intel on ACC & ESPN moving swiftly towards forming an ACC Network, but apologize to any that misunderstood my points on ND.
Tim Brando @TimBrando 12h
The intent of the Tweet was based on Intel regarding Conference realignment being back on the table. That part is accurate..
You forgot Stanford. They have a West Coast trip every season (to either NoCal or SoCal). Have to keep the West Coast Alums happy.
Claiming that conference realignment will be happening again is like predicting that the sun will rise in the east tomorrow morning. Conferences have been in a near-constant state of change for, oh, only the past century.
I mean, just think about the timeline in the past ~25 years...
-Penn State joins the Big Ten
-Florida State joins ACC
-Major eastern independents form Big East Football Conference
-SEC adds Arkansas
-SWC dissolves
-Big 8 adds 4 SWC teams to become Big 12
-Remains of SWC and Metro Conference indies form Conference USA
-Mountain West created from 8 teams leaving WAC
-ACC raids BEFC
-BEFC adds Louisville, USF, Cincinnati from C-USA
-Colorado leaves Big 12 for Pac 12
-Utah leaves MWC for Pac-12
-Nebraska leaves Big 12 for Big Ten
-Texas A&M leaves Big 12 for SEC
-ACC adds Syracuse, Pitt, spurns UConn
-Big 12 adds West Virginia, TCU
-Big Ten adds Maryland, Rutgers
-ACC adds Notre Dame for all sports but football
-ACC adds Lousiville, spurns UConn again
-BEFC dissolves
-American Conference forms
And I'm sure I forgot a bunch of things. I think the longest lull in conference machinations has been 5 years.
Death. Taxes. Conference realignment.
- Missouri leaves Big 12 for SECClaiming that conference realignment will be happening again is like predicting that the sun will rise in the east tomorrow morning. Conferences have been in a near-constant state of change for, oh, only the past century.
I mean, just think about the timeline in the past ~25 years...
-Penn State joins the Big Ten
-Florida State joins ACC
-Major eastern independents form Big East Football Conference
-SEC adds Arkansas
-SWC dissolves
-Big 8 adds 4 SWC teams to become Big 12
-Remains of SWC and Metro Conference indies form Conference USA
-Mountain West created from 8 teams leaving WAC
-ACC raids BEFC
-BEFC adds Louisville, USF, Cincinnati from C-USA
-Colorado leaves Big 12 for Pac 12
-Utah leaves MWC for Pac-12
-Nebraska leaves Big 12 for Big Ten
-Texas A&M leaves Big 12 for SEC
-ACC adds Syracuse, Pitt, spurns UConn
-Big 12 adds West Virginia, TCU
-Big Ten adds Maryland, Rutgers
-ACC adds Notre Dame for all sports but football
-ACC adds Lousiville, spurns UConn again
-BEFC dissolves
-American Conference forms
And I'm sure I forgot a bunch of things. I think the longest lull in conference machinations has been 5 years.
Death. Taxes. Conference realignment.
That's what drives me nuts about the ND to the B1G rumors. There's a lot of history there that goes far beyond money (maybe not for a guy like Jim Delany, but for his voting ADs, significantly) that seems to never be taken into consideration.
Considerations:
- Notre Dame is not an AAU member due to its desire to be independent from sectarian academic organizations. This in and of itself is a problem for the B1G, compounded even mores by what membership in the B1G would demand of requiring to become part of the CIC.
- There's a significant amount of history with ND and B1G schools and while they may be rivals, ND's arrogance towards conference membership has burned some bridges. If they want into the B1G, then they're going to have to kiss some asses that they won't.
- ND would mean 15 for the B1G. Who's 16? With the signed deal with Fox, is there any type of incentive to the B1G for adding ND? Does that contract have a look-in if a new team is added? What's the cumulative value to the conference of both ND and the 16th team?
- ND values its football independence more than any other tradition it has this side of gold helmets and a Jesus on a library.
- Becoming a B1G member will require ND to play 9 conference games. Their current list of rivals are: Navy, USC, Pitt, BC, Purdue, MSU, UofM. They've shown they're willing to sacrifice a few of those to enable their relationship with the ACC, but they will NEVER give up playing Navy or USC. So that would leave them with 1 non-conference opening, and 2 annual rivals (Pitt and BC) that they'd likely have to discontinue playing.
Claiming that conference realignment will be happening again is like predicting that the sun will rise in the east tomorrow morning. Conferences have been in a near-constant state of change for, oh, only the past century.
I mean, just think about the timeline in the past ~25 years...
-Penn State joins the Big Ten
-Florida State joins ACC
-Major eastern independents form Big East Football Conference
-SEC adds Arkansas
-SWC dissolves
-Big 8 adds 4 SWC teams to become Big 12
-Remains of SWC and Metro Conference indies form Conference USA
-Mountain West created from 8 teams leaving WAC
-ACC raids BEFC
-BEFC adds Louisville, USF, Cincinnati from C-USA
-Colorado leaves Big 12 for Pac 12
-Utah leaves MWC for Pac-12
-Nebraska leaves Big 12 for Big Ten
-Texas A&M leaves Big 12 for SEC
-ACC adds Syracuse, Pitt, spurns UConn
-Big 12 adds West Virginia, TCU
-Big Ten adds Maryland, Rutgers
-ACC adds Notre Dame for all sports but football
-ACC adds Lousiville, spurns UConn again
-BEFC dissolves
-American Conference forms
And I'm sure I forgot a bunch of things. I think the longest lull in conference machinations has been 5 years.
Death. Taxes. Conference realignment.
Hearing a lot more rumblings about a network. Even some of the long time Anti-ACC people are hearing it. Let's see what happensCincy insider MSMoose on 24/7 stated he thinks network announcement on Thursday. We'll see...just throwing it out there.
My thoughts: It is vital for ESPN to keep the ACC in tact. I think a huge sticking point (besides FOX/Raycom) would be a lengthened GoR.
H/T: uofl05 at csnbbs.com
Good thing Cuse was there to partake. :bang: