Notre Dame in discussions with ACC

[OrangeCrush22]

Seth Davis Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/SETHDAVISHOOPS

"For the record, I predict Notre Dame will eventually be in the ACC for all sports, including FB. Not sure when but that's my strong hunch."

"@DickieV I read ALL your tweets Dick! It's early stages but significant conversations are taking place bt ND and ACC."

"Too early to tell with whom. Don't think the ACC wants UConn. ACC and ND are a good academic and cultural fit."

The great thing about this is if Notre Dame comes to the ACC, then no team will leave. Right now Maryland would leave in a heartbeat, and Clemson and Florida State would consider it. UMD is having serious money issues right now, if the B1G were to come calling they would answer. If the ACC gets Notre Dame though, UMD will definitely stay.

Edit:

Found that Digger Phelps agrees too. http://www.ndsmcobserver.com/sports...conference-realignment-1.2692086#.TswfPvLLKfU

Phelps also said it is time for Notre Dame to drop its independence in football and join the ACC.
"I'd love to see us join the ACC," he said. "We are east of the Mississippi when it comes to fundraising, alumni clubs, etc., and I include Chicago when I say that. And that's not going to go away, and obviously we have west coast cities.

"But, I just don't see how we will ever have the opportunity to compete for a BCS national championship without being in a conference. What's the best conference for us? If I'm looking out right now, I've got to say the ACC right now for football and basketball."

Phelps said the ACC could create a north division and a south division and rotate the basketball conference tournaments between Greensboro, N.C. and Madison Square Garden in New York. He added that key rivalries in football could be maintained, as well as the television contract in place since 1991.

"I would still say we should keep our NBC home contract," he said. "We can negotiate that. Then play nine games [in the ACC] in football. I'd give them nine. Still play Navy because of tradition, Southern Cal, and rotate with Michigan and Michigan State every other year."

 

[javadoc]

If Penn State wanted to join the ACC, would you vote to admit them?

 

[OrangeCrush22]

If Penn State wanted to join the ACC, would you vote to admit them?

Yes. As long as they clean house.

 

[jr4750]

Yes. As long as they clean house.

Agreed, that would be one heck of a conference...

 

[OrangeCrush22]

Agreed, that would be one heck of a conference...

Imagine lacrosse!

At the end of last regular season here were the standings.

#1.)Syracuse
#2.)Virginia
#5.)Notre Dame
#7.)Duke
#8.)Maryland
#10)North Carolina

Yes, that's the ENTIRE conference.

 

[orange126]

As much as Notre Dame is a cultural fit for the ACC, Penn State is not. Maybe the Big East...

 

[elimunelson]

there's just no way ACC will allow them to keep the NBC contract on a going forward basis. That's where this breaks down for me. If they can give up the independent cash perhaps they come aboard.

 

[44PRIDE]

there's just no way ACC will allow them to keep the NBC contract on a going forward basis. That's where this breaks down for me. If they can give up the independent cash perhaps they come aboard.

I dunno about that.
If ND agrees to go "all in" with all sports with the caveat that their home games can be televised under their own TV contract for a specified time period... I could live with that.

 

[44PRIDE]

As for Penn State, I'd take them in a New York Minute...

Don't cloud your long term investments with short term actions

 

[Stern]

This tells me 2 things,...

1) NBC/Comcast now under new ownership and leadership have given ND a heads up on changes will be taking place in the future that ND wasn't to happy about

2) Notre Dame has been flirting with CBS, FOX, and ESPN on the side and didn't get a response or a number ($$) they liked. So they are keeping options open and talking with the ACC to get numbers from them.

 

[arbitragegls]

Notre Dame would be great for ACC...and I believe dollars from ACC will either match or exceed what Notre Dame can make as independent. Remember, all those bowl tie-ins the ACC has...those dollars are shared. Also more dollars from eastern-south eastern alumns coming in.

 

[orange79]

This tells me 2 things,...

1) NBC/Comcast now under new ownership and leadership have given ND a heads up on changes will be taking place in the future that ND wasn't to happy about

2) Notre Dame has been flirting with CBS, FOX, and ESPN on the side and didn't get a response or a number ($$) they liked. So they are keeping options open and talking with the ACC to get numbers from them.

This makes a lot of sense.

I dunno about that.
If ND agrees to go "all in" with all sports with the caveat that their home games can be televised under their own TV contract for a specified time period... I could live with that.

I could see the ACC telling ND that they can keep their home game contract money until their contract is up. Then, it's all in, like every other conference member.

 

[kingottoiii]

This makes a lot of sense.

I could see the ACC telling ND that they can keep their home game contract money until their contract is up. Then, it's all in, like every other conference member.

Also the BCS going away is the real game changer. Right now ND can make one of the Sugar, Fiesta, Rose, or Orange Bowls and get an $15 million pay day. However if those Bowls are no longer in the BCS, then the Bowls will want tie ins. So you could see

NCG SEC #1 vs BCS #2
Rose P12 #1/2 vs B1G #1/2
Fiesta B12 #1/2 vs P12 #2/SEC #3
Sugar SEC #2/3 vs B12 #2/B1G #2
Orange ACC #1/SEC #3 vs B1G #2/SEC #3

ND would have zero shot at one of the Big 4 Bowls. They would be stuck having to make a deal with a 3rd tier Bowl. The Big 5 conferences will have phased out ND, the BE, and the non BCS conferences. At that point ND HAS to join someone. They won't be a have not.

So the ACC adds ND and RU. The B12 adds Louisville and Cincy. CUSA adds USF. UConn goes to the MAC for FB only. Conference expansion would then be dead for a long time.

 

[orange79]

Also the BCS going away is the real game changer. Right now ND can make one of the Sugar, Fiesta, Rose, or Orange Bowls and get an $15 million pay day. However if those Bowls are no longer in the BCS, then the Bowls will want tie ins.

I had a similar thought earlier and forgot to add it to my post. Good point. It really is a game changer for ND.

 

[Stern]

actually the BCS going away with the major bowls and just being #1 vs #2 helps ND. Because it lets the Sugar, Orange, and Fiesta keep 1 tie-in and 1 at large to bring in whoever they want. So any of those bowls aren't forced to take a Big East or Boise team they don't want. They could take a 3 or 4 loss Notre Dame and be fine. That's why I don't think this has anything to do with the new BCS news that came out last week.

This is something bigger. My guess its its NBC telling ND party's over now that Comcast is in charge. Or ESPN telling the ACC, get these guys and every ND game on our network and you will see a large increase in your TV deal. This isn't a BCS thing.

 

[kingottoiii]

actually the BCS going away with the major bowls and just being #1 vs #2 helps ND. Because it lets the Sugar, Orange, and Fiesta keep 1 tie-in and 1 at large to bring in whoever they want. So any of those bowls aren't forced to take a Big East or Boise team they don't want. They could take a 3 or 4 loss Notre Dame and be fine. That's why I don't think this has anything to do with the new BCS news that came out last week.

This is something bigger. My guess its its NBC telling ND party's over now that Comcast is in charge. Or ESPN telling the ACC, get these guys and every ND game on our network and you will see a large increase in your TV deal. This isn't a BCS thing.

I think you over state ND's value to Bowls. Why wouldn't the Bowls want a tie in locked up? If the Orange agrees to get the 2nd pick from the B1G they know that they are getting one of Michigan, Nebraska, Penn St, Ohio St, or Wisconsin. All are more attractive than a 3 loss ND team. If the Sugar agrees to take the 2nd pick of the B12 they know that they are likely getting Oklahoma or Texas (unless one is in the NCG). If the Fiesta agrees to take the best available SEC team then they will get one of Florida, Tenn, A&M, LSU, Bama, Auburn, or Arkansas. The Bowls don't need ND.

 

[SaltineWarrior]

If Penn State wanted to join the ACC, would you vote to admit them?

Yes.

 

[BORZAK]

If Penn State wanted to join the ACC, would you vote to admit them?

YES

 

[Stern]

I think you over state ND's value to Bowls. Why wouldn't the Bowls want a tie in locked up? If the Orange agrees to get the 2nd pick from the B1G they know that they are getting one of Michigan, Nebraska, Penn St, Ohio St, or Wisconsin. All are more attractive than a 3 loss ND team. If the Sugar agrees to take the 2nd pick of the B12 they know that they are likely getting Oklahoma or Texas (unless one is in the NCG). If the Fiesta agrees to take the best available SEC team then they will get one of Florida, Tenn, A&M, LSU, Bama, Auburn, or Arkansas. The Bowls don't need ND.

It's NOT about the best match-up or game. Don't think of it as a competitive stand-point. It's about TV draw and making money! The Bowls will have 1 tie in each. But they will have an at large as well. Sugar with SEC tie in. Orange with ACC tine in and Fiesta with Big 12 tie in. But they will keep 1 at large spot because they will want to have some options. One for ND and also because the other top team in a given year could come from anywhere. Big 10, Pac 12, SEC, ACC...etc. Why do you think the SEC and other major conferences want this new system...because they HATE the rule that a conference can only send 2 teams to a major bowl. They want it so on a given year if a conference is strong you could have 3 or 4 teams going to major bowls. You are NOT getting 2 tie-in's with these major bowls. Not gonna happen!

And I probably understated ND's bowl appeal. ND is the best traveling team who gets the highest TV ratings.....game over. Debate over!

 

[Old hank]

Yes, ND & PSU, they are both assets not liabilities. Question, what becomes of UConn & Rutgers football?

 

[arbitragegls]

BYU...turned down BE and Big 12, or other way around, because BYU wanted to keep its home TV money.....The ACC has been consistent with saying you are all in and revenue shared. I think the ACC lets ND keep present contract with NBC but when it expires it is over and ND is all in...as indicated in very good posts above...ND comes out ahead based on new bowl format.

 

[OrangeCrush22]

what becomes of UConn & Rutgers football?

MAC

That way they'd get their own super conference, as the MAC would have 16 members.

Here's their division.

Akron
Buffalo
Connecticut
Kent State
Massachusetts
Ohio
Rutgers
Temple

 

[kingottoiii]

It's NOT about the best match-up or game. Don't think of it as a competitive stand-point. It's about TV draw and making money! The Bowls will have 1 tie in each. But they will have an at large as well. Sugar with SEC tie in. Orange with ACC tine in and Fiesta with Big 12 tie in. But they will keep 1 at large spot because they will want to have some options. One for ND and also because the other top team in a given year could come from anywhere. Big 10, Pac 12, SEC, ACC...etc. Why do you think the SEC and other major conferences want this new system...because they HATE the rule that a conference can only send 2 teams to a major bowl. They want it so on a given year if a conference is strong you could have 3 or 4 teams going to major bowls. You are NOT getting 2 tie-in's with these major bowls. Not gonna happen!

And I probably understated ND's bowl appeal. ND is the best traveling team who gets the highest TV ratings.....game over. Debate over!

You are wrong. ND is not the best traveling team. ND does not get the highest TV ratings. You are stuck in the 90s. If I am a Bowl I rather have the #3 SEC pick tied in or the #2/3 B1G pick tied in than have ND. In both cases you will get a larger crowd and higher TV ratings. There is a reason why NBC is losing interest in broadcasting ND FB. If ND were a 10+ W team then they would be a draw. But a 9-3 or 8-4 ND is worthless. I am 110% thinking about money.

There are 5 Big Bowl games. The SEC and B1G should have 3 tie ins. The ACC/P12/B12 should each have one. That leaves one spot left for an at large. ND would have to fight for one spot with no guarantee. That is a lot worse than what they have now where they get in if they are Top 12.

NCG SEC vs X (LSU vs Bama)
Rose B1G vs P12 (Wisconsin vs Oregon)
Fiesta B12 vs at SEC (Okie St vs at large)
Sugar SEC vs B1G (Arkansas vs Michigan)
Orange ACC vs B1G (VT vs Nebraska)

That is the way it should be set up. Who ever makes the NCG #2 spot will leave a hole in one of the other Bowls. That hole would be filled with an at large. This year the way it plays out the at large would be between Boise, Michigan St, Stanford, South Carolina, UGA, Clemson, and ND. If ND beats Stanford they likely would get the at large.

 

[Chip]

Also the BCS going away is the real game changer. Right now ND can make one of the Sugar, Fiesta, Rose, or Orange Bowls and get an $15 million pay day. However if those Bowls are no longer in the BCS, then the Bowls will want tie ins. So you could see

NCG SEC #1 vs BCS #2
Rose P12 #1/2 vs B1G #1/2
Fiesta B12 #1/2 vs P12 #2/SEC #3
Sugar SEC #2/3 vs B12 #2/B1G #2
Orange ACC #1/SEC #3 vs B1G #2/SEC #3

ND would have zero shot at one of the Big 4 Bowls. They would be stuck having to make a deal with a 3rd tier Bowl. The Big 5 conferences will have phased out ND, the BE, and the non BCS conferences. At that point ND HAS to join someone. They won't be a have not.

So the ACC adds ND and RU. The B12 adds Louisville and Cincy. CUSA adds USF. UConn goes to the MAC for FB only. Conference expansion would then be dead for a long time.

I see what you did there. If this BCS only being the NCG comes to pass, I think what happens from there on the other former BCS Bowls (outside of the Rose and one spot in the Sugar) could be fascinating.

 

[Stern]

i highly doubt a conference would allow a tie in to occur from outside of a conference if the bowls go the way of the system of being tied to a specific conference.

huh? What are you talking about.

The Sugar, Orange, and Fiesta are big enough to do what they want. And an at-large spot isnt' a tie-in that will screw someone over. It means they can take a team from ANY where they want. An SEC team. An ACC team. A Pac 12 team. A Big 10 team...etc. I have no idea what your talking about. And the conference with the tie-in with that bowl won't care as long as they get their big fat paycheck at the end of the day.