ACC, PAC-12, and BIG alliance / conference realignment

[sutomcat]

Regarding the ACCN, that would be something that within the deal I could see be subject to revocation, as in if ESPN didn’t hit certain numbers they could revoke their obligation to have a dedicated network. They might want to do that without terminating the entire agreement.

That makes some sense.

That said, I have never heard of any conference-network contract where the network has a chance to terminate it early. If it is a 10 year contract, it expires in 10 years. Period. And I think this was the case with the original contract the ACC signed with ESPN.

The clause was clearly tied to the ACCN and I assume it was added when ESPN made the commitment to make the ACCN happen. But in order to get ACCN, ESPN made the ACC extend their contract to 2036.

At that time, I think most industry experts knew this was a good deal for ESPN but no one knew just how great it was. I am thinking they asked for an out in case the industry collapsed, so they would not have to be on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars in payments for 15-20 years no matter what? They knew the ACC was desperate and would agree to pretty much anything they wanted.

Kind of surprised ESPN has not announced they are waiving their right to revoke the contract already but I assume they are using it as leverage to get the conference to do what they want it to do.

 

[Hoo's That]

It's only 48 more scholarships.

SMU can afford it. Lots of LAX talent in Texas.

At one point, UVa had 3 starters from Texas. There was some speculation about adding sports on their board.

 

[HtownOrange]

At that time, I think most industry experts knew this was a good deal for ESPN but no one knew just how great it was. I am thinking they asked for an out in case the industry collapsed, so they would not have to be on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars in payments for 15-20 years no matter what?

The Longhorn Network comes to mind. ESPN paid UT $10MM annually and ESPN lost a lot of money on the deal.

 

[Scooch]

It's only 48 more scholarships.

SMU can afford it. Lots of LAX talent in Texas.

My understanding is that It's not 48, it's whatever a school wants it to be. That's what the rule change meant.

It could go from 12.6 to 100 if a school wanted. Or it can go to zero.

I also find it hysterical when people think lacrosse has any impact on conference realignment. Like side splittingly hysterical. I know you weren’t doing that OX.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

My understanding is that It's not 48, it's whatever a school wants it to be. That's what the rule change meant.

It could go from 12.6 to 100 if a school wanted. Or it can go to zero.

I also find it hysterical when people think lacrosse has any impact on conference realignment. Like side splittingly hysterical. I know you weren’t doing that OX.

Since the rosters are being limited to 48 players, I doubt it will get to 100.

 

[WoadBlue]

It’s inconceivable to me that the ACC has t put pressure on the non-lax schools to add the sport.

Costs. NCSU and Wake used to play lacrosse, but the programs got Title 9ed.

 

[All4SU]

Costs. NCSU and Wake used to play lacrosse, but the programs got Title 9ed.

 

[Moontan]

Costs. NCSU and Wake used to play lacrosse, but the programs got Title 9ed.

Which had a major benefit for SU lax, aka Tim Nelson.

 

[Stern]

Aren’t they under CBS/Paramount?

Doubt they are acquiring anything anytime soon. They are shedding payroll and trying to find a buyer.

No, they are not.

They just partnered up for March Madness to keep it out of the hands of ESPN; they are two separate companies.

Warner Brothers Discovery (TNT/TBS) is buying up everything right now with the money opened up from losing the NBA. They are still not in a great financial spot but can buy up a bunch of smaller sports contracts. TruTV is going to shift to being "sports" in Primetime every night of the week in the coming months/year.

CBS/Paramount is worse financial disaster than Warner Brothers Discovery, but they not one in the same or tied together in any way other than they partner up each March.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

Pac-12 Conference and Gonzaga University Unite to Build a Basketball Powerhouse, Advancing the New Era of the Conference's 100-Year Legacy

Pac-12 Conference and Gonzaga University Unite to Build a Basketball Powerhouse, Advancing the New Era of the Conference's 100-Year Legacy

pac-12.com

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[sutomcat]

Pac-12 Conference and Gonzaga University Unite to Build a Basketball Powerhouse, Advancing the New Era of the Conference's 100-Year Legacy

Pac-12 Conference and Gonzaga University Unite to Build a Basketball Powerhouse, Advancing the New Era of the Conference's 100-Year Legacy

pac-12.com

 

[OrangeXtreme]

PAC still needs 1 more FB member for 2026-27.

PAC 12	MWC
Oregon State	Air Force
Washington State	Hawaii
Boise State	Nevada
Colorado State	New Mexico
Fresno State	San Jose State
San Diego State	UNLV
Utah State	Wyoming
Gonzaga*	UTEP

 

[HRE Otto IV]

Oddly UTEP is joining with teams they used to be with in the WAC.

New Mexico, Wyoming 1968-1999
Hawaii 1979-2005
Air Force 1980-1999
UNLV 1996-1999
San Jose State 1996-2005
Nevada 2000-2005

 

[Orangefizz]

PAC still needs 1 more FB member for 2026-27.

PAC 12	MWC
Oregon State	Air Force
Washington State	Hawaii
Boise State	Nevada
Colorado State	New Mexico
Fresno State	San Jose State
San Diego State	UNLV
Utah State	Wyoming
Gonzaga*	UTEP

UNLV was the top choice but now i’d go with Texas St or North Dakota St.

If I were the Pac 12 I’d go with North Dakota State, who has championship pedigree at the FCS level and is competitive with FBS schools.You could bring them in as a football only and help with the 5 million FBS fee

 

[sutomcat]

PAC still needs 1 more FB member for 2026-27.

PAC 12	MWC
Oregon State	Air Force
Washington State	Hawaii
Boise State	Nevada
Colorado State	New Mexico
Fresno State	San Jose State
San Diego State	UNLV
Utah State	Wyoming
Gonzaga*	UTEP

If they want to keep going with thier 'State' expansion theme, I think New Mexico State is available and hoping for a phone call.

 

[MSOrange]

Oddly UTEP is joining with teams they used to be with in the WAC.

New Mexico, Wyoming 1968-1999
Hawaii 1979-2005
Air Force 1980-1999
UNLV 1996-1999
San Jose State 1996-2005
Nevada 2000-2005

Yep they will renew some old rivalries. Of all the changes, this one actually makes sense.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

Yep they will renew some old rivalries. Of all the changes, this one actually makes sense.

Another oddity with UTEP, they left behind a few of those WAC teams to join CUSA. At the time (2005) CUSA had 12 schools. UTEP was the only school remaining this season. So CUSA which has been around since 1995 has zero pre 2013 members left once UTEP leaves.

 

[WoadBlue]

If they want to keep going with thier 'State' expansion theme, I think New Mexico State is available and hoping for a phone call.

Las Cruces is like 45 miles from El Paso.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[Hoo's That]

Costs. NCSU and Wake used to play lacrosse, but the programs got Title 9ed.

Wake has always been a club team. UVa's varsity never played them. 4-1 vs. NCSU who has a player in the HoF, Stan Cockerton.

 

[longtimefan]

Wake has always been a club team. UVa's varsity never played them. 4-1 vs. NCSU who has a player in the HoF, Stan Cockerton.

BC is the other ACC school that used to be D-I lax.

 

[kingtidge]

Regarding the ACCN, that would be something that within the deal I could see be subject to revocation, as in if ESPN didn’t hit certain numbers they could revoke their obligation to have a dedicated network. They might want to do that without terminating the entire agreement.

Dedicated network is a bit rich by today's standard.

The streaming arm (ACCNX), where most all the overflow games go, is simply ESPN+ with C-tier ESPN commentators calling the games. It's really not a dedicated network at all.

That said, it's at least better than RSN.

 

[WoadBlue]

Wake has always been a club team. UVa's varsity never played them. 4-1 vs. NCSU who has a player in the HoF, Stan Cockerton.

For some reason I thought Wake had moved up briefly. I guess I just misremember Wake people talking of hopefully of moving up, and Title IX meant there was never going to be money for that.

Cockerton was a 1 man show. And what a show.