If there starts to be seismic shifts again, which this would be, ACC would need to add assets… we just found out in a week’s time that two of the biggest names in all of college football history are most likely finalizing a move in what could be a matter of weeks.
Do you think they’re the only schools having conversations? Do you think the B1G isn’t going to have a countermove? It’s the first couple dominoes to another whole cycle imo.
Eventually ND has to do something. And if it’s go Indy, their market value ain’t what it always was. Good luck getting premier NC games when there’s most likely a 9/10 game conference slate + additional playoff games for whichever conferences go mega.
I think that ND will ride football independence for as long as it is possible.
But, if the conferences force ND to abandon independence, why not cash in the most with the Big Ten?
Why would ND agree to join the ACC in football for half the money it can get in the Big Ten?
(I figure the ACC payout at about $40 million with ND involved and the Big Ten payout being close to $75-80 million with ND involved)
One of the main reasons (perhaps THE main reason) that ND joined the ACC was that it didn't include football. It kept ND football independent.
If ND football has to surrender to the conferences and become like everyone else, that advantage goes away.
If so, then a big reason that ND joined the ACC goes away. "Poof".
ND football would be as much "regionalized" in the ACC as in the Big Ten. It will lose its national schedule and maybe its national recruiting ability.
In that case, why not just join the Big Ten to get the most money for it?
Sure, ND fans hate the Big Ten with a white hot passion (me included), but hasn't college football become just a cash and carry business ?
Doesn't every other school that switches conferences do so for the most TV money possible ??
(Other fans wanted ND to be like everyone else, so they may get their wish)
IF forced to surrender and join a conference, why shouldn't ND do what other schools do, hold its nose over joining the Big Ten, play that game too and cash in for the most TV money ?
The GOR (which doesn't include ND football), exit fee and the contract that stipulates that ND football must join the ACC if it goes all in are merely "speed bumps" to be leveled out in court and through negotiations with that much money at stake.
(See Texas/Oklahoma going to the SEC although it will cost $76 million apiece)
Does everyone think that the Big Ten is more keen or less keen on landing ND after Texas and Oklahoma go to the SEC?
I suspect that the Big Ten is making a pitch to ND right now.
I don't like it, but that may be the result of the latest SEC move.