Swofford is good for SU. If it's between losing Swofford and losing FSU, I'll put a bow on the Seminoles. Sayonara.
Swofford is about balance between the sports and is one of the few commissioners out there who sees the value of an unrivaled hoops component. As much as I hated the BBall centric Providence Mafia, I don't want a deep south football centric ignoramus running the show either, which is what we would have if the FSU BOT president had his way. I want a big picture guy.
Ties to UNC or not, Swofford has been on top at every turn of the expansion wheel. I think he sees the ACC as becoming a better version of the PAC12 rather than an SEC or Big 12. Beyond the hardwood and gridiron, the PAC has strengths in academics and Olympic sports. The SEC and Big 12 are all about the pigskin. I don't want to be in a conference that's all about the pigskin.
The ACC's roots, much like the old BE, are in hoops. That is their identity. I don't see them selling that down the river for the sake of football. If that was the case, SU and Pitt would still be rubbing Marinatto's bunions. Right now the ACC has strength in both, which is more than the SEC, Big 12 and PAC can say. The ACC football product isn't spectacular right now, but they have some solid programs that can catch fire, and sooner or later one or two will.
When all is said and done, the ACC will be able to make millions on both football AND basketball, which should put them in a very strong financial position regardless of what idiot bloggers think.