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Message: [QUOTE="HtownOrange, post: 4782962, member: 622"] A few quick thoughts: - the source is not as well informed as the host thinks, ND is contractually obligated to join the ACC - I recognize the host is a Pitt guy but neglecting to address SU or NY as a whole makes one question the source, again. Even if on writes off NYC, upstate NY is still about 10 million strong, bigger than most states, and everyone knows SU hoops in NYC is still big. - it is believable that ESPN is worried. Many on here saw this a while ago. ESPN cannot give up:the northeast or it will take decades to get back in. The northeast is still the most densely populated area of the country, voluntarily giving up the northeast is college sports suicide. - I doubt that any teams will take 30-40%, the ACC already makes more than that. - Keeping the California schools and SMU will not hurt ESPN. As the B1G/ Fox is nationwide, ESPN can keep a presence on the west coast on the cheap, for now. SMU would help recruiting and would lock down more Texas kids from the B12, which has a value all its own. - I don’t see ESPN trimming any fat if they merge the conferences, everyone comes along, even ND with their all-sports-but-football deal. One, it looks bad; two, they need some teams to lose for the bigger names to win more; three, it keeps some more regional rivalries together. - It could happen quickly but it can also take several years as ESPN has the ACC at a disadvantage for a few more years. Neither FSU nor Clemson will be able to pull together hundreds of millions to leave early and UNC is not writing the check anytime soon. If true, I would place this in the 3-5 year range unless ESPN really believes FSU and Clemson can put together some big money quickly. - The ACC minder could still work: All Coasts Conference. First Coast (Atlantic coast); Second Coast (Pacific Coast); and Third Coast (Gulf coast). Psycho Bonus: ESPN woos USC and UCLA before they join the B1G to stay with Stanford and Cal, as well as the warmer climates (mostly). [/QUOTE]

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