Florida State, Clemson to Exit ACC BEFORE Football Season Matters, Not Super League, As Big 12 Hunts
TLDRThe podcast discusses the potential collapse of the ACC due to the possible departure of Florida State and Clemson, which could lead to a reworking of ESPN's contract. This situation might benefit the Big 12, possibly leading to an expansion including schools like Louisville or Miami. The show also addresses the Big 12's underwhelming performance in the recent March Madness, despite strong analytics, and debates whether Gonzaga and Gonzaga should be added to the conference to bolster its basketball reputation.
Takeaways
- 📅 The ACC's future is uncertain, with the possibility of it not existing beyond June 2024 due to potential legal and membership issues.
- 🏈 Florida State and Clemson's potential departure from the ACC could lead to a significant shift in the conference landscape, affecting ESPN's contract and opening opportunities for other schools.
- 🤺 The Big 12 Conference's basketball performance in March Madness was disappointing, with no teams making it to the Final Four and only a few reaching the Elite Eight or Sweet Sixteen.
- 🏆 Despite strong analytical rankings, the Big 12's lack of success in March Madness challenges its reputation as a historically strong conference.
- 💰 The financial impact of the Big 12's basketball performance is significant, with revenue losses and questions about the conference's value in the sport.
- 📈 Gonzaga and Gonzaga's consistent success in basketball, including frequent appearances in the Sweet 16, makes them attractive additions for conferences seeking to bolster their basketball profile.
- 🏟️ The potential addition of Gonzaga and Gonzaga to the Big 12 is discussed, but their lack of football presence makes it unlikely for a move to happen based on financial and strategic considerations.
- 🤔 The balance between historical success and current performance in evaluating the value of teams and conferences is highlighted, with the Big 12 facing scrutiny for its recent basketball results.
- 🌟 The importance of football revenue in university athletics is emphasized, overshadowing the potential gains from basketball success.
- 🚫 The Big 12 is more likely to pursue expansion opportunities with schools that have strong football programs, such as potential additions from the ACC, rather than focusing solely on basketball strengths.
Q & A
What is the main issue with the ACC according to the podcast?
-The main issue with the ACC is the potential loss of members such as Florida State and Clemson, which could lead to a decrease in the number of teams below the threshold of 15, allowing ESPN to renegotiate its contract.
Why did ESPN have the right to opt out of the contract with the ACC starting in 2027?
-ESPN had the right to opt out of the contract starting in 2027 due to a clause in the grant of rights agreement. This clause was not fully understood by all member universities, leading to a discrepancy between what was communicated and the actual terms.
What is the significance of the ACC's membership number dropping to 14?
-If the ACC's membership number drops to 14, it allows ESPN to rework its deal with the conference. This could potentially lead to the ACC's downfall and impact its financial stability and media coverage.
How might the potential loss of ACC members benefit the Big 12?
-The potential loss of ACC members could benefit the Big 12 by opening up opportunities for expansion, possibly bringing in valuable teams like Florida State or Clemson, which could strengthen the conference and its revenue.
What is the role of TV networks in the reshuffling of college sports conferences?
-TV networks play a significant role in the reshuffling of college sports conferences as they are the primary drivers of financial revenue. Their interests in specific teams and markets can influence which universities are added or removed from conferences.
What was the performance of Big 12 teams in the March Madness tournament?
-The performance of Big 12 teams in the March Madness tournament was disappointing. None of the teams made it to the Final Four, with only a few reaching the Elite Eight and Sweet Sixteen.
Why is Gonzaga considered a valuable addition to a conference?
-Gonzaga is considered a valuable addition to a conference due to its consistent success in basketball, making it to the Sweet 16 almost every year and bringing in significant revenue from the NCAA tournament.
What factors could influence the Big 12 to consider adding Gonzaga and Gonzaga to its conference?
-Factors that could influence the Big 12 to consider adding Gonzaga and Gonzaga include their basketball success and the potential for increased revenue from the NCAA tournament, as well as the opportunity to create new regional rivalries.
Why might the Big 12 not add Gonzaga and Yukon based on the current revenue structure?
-The Big 12 might not add Gonzaga and Yukon because their revenue from basketball, despite their success, is not enough to offset the lack of football revenue. Football is the primary driver of revenue in college sports, and without a significant football presence, the addition of these schools may not be financially beneficial.
What is the likelihood of Gonzaga and Yukon joining the Big 12 based on the podcast discussion?
-Based on the podcast discussion, the likelihood of Gonzaga and Yukon joining the Big 12 is low. The podcast suggests that the conference is more interested in expanding its football footprint and that the revenue from basketball, even from highly successful programs like Gonzaga and Yukon, is not enough to justify their addition.
What is the main argument against adding Gonzaga and Yukon to the Big 12 from a financial perspective?
-The main argument against adding Gonzaga and Yukon to the Big 12 from a financial perspective is that their basketball success, while significant, does not generate as much revenue as football. Without a strong football program, the potential financial benefit to the conference is limited.
Outlines
🏈 Potential ACC Disbandment and Big 12 Expansion
The paragraph discusses the possibility of the ACC's disbandment by July 1st due to the potential exit of Florida State and Clemson, which could lead to a decrease in the number of teams below the threshold that ESPN's contract is contingent upon. The exit of these teams could trigger a renegotiation of the ESPN contract, which has been a point of contention since the discovery of a nine-year discrepancy between what was communicated to the universities and what the contract actually allowed. The speaker suggests that this situation might benefit the Big 12, as it could lead to the inclusion of valuable teams from the ACC, such as NC State, Louisville, and Pitt, into the Big 12 conference.
💰 Financial Implications and ACC's Future
This paragraph delves into the financial implications of the ACC's potential disbandment and the possible benefits for the Big 12. The speaker suggests that if Florida State or Clemson manage to leave the ACC before July 1st, it could lead to a year of independence for the remaining schools, which could be financially advantageous. The speaker also discusses the potential for certain schools like Miami, Clemson, and Florida State to break away and form a new conference, which could further impact the ACC's stability and the Big 12's expansion opportunities.
🏀 Big 12's Basketball Performance in March Madness
The speaker expresses disappointment in the Big 12's basketball performance during the March Madness tournament, noting the lack of representation from the conference in the later stages of the competition. Despite analytical rankings suggesting the Big 12 was a strong conference, the actual performance did not reflect this, with only Iowa State and Houston reaching the Sweet 16. The speaker ponders the reasons for this discrepancy and suggests that it might be time for the Big 12 to consider adding Gonzaga and Gonzaga to bolster its basketball presence.
🤔 Evaluating Gonzaga and Gonzaga's Potential Addition to the Big 12
The paragraph explores the idea of adding Gonzaga and Gonzaga to the Big 12 conference to enhance its basketball performance. The speaker acknowledges the success of these schools in the NCAA tournament but questions the practicality of such a move, considering the financial and geographical implications. The speaker argues that while Gonzaga and Gonzaga have been successful in basketball, their addition to the Big 12 might not provide the same value as adding schools with strong football programs, which are a more significant revenue driver for the conference.
🏆 The Reality of Gonzaga and Gonzaga's Big 12 Inclusion
The speaker debunks the recurring rumors of Gonzaga and Gonzaga joining the Big 12, stating that it is highly unlikely due to the financial dominance of football in college sports. The speaker emphasizes that the addition of these schools would not bring the same level of revenue as football powerhouses and that their basketball success might not guarantee long-term value for the conference. The speaker concludes that the Big 12 would be more likely to pursue schools with strong football programs to maintain its financial stability and growth.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡ACC
💡Big 12
💡ESPN
💡Grant of Rights
💡Expansion
💡March Madness
💡Revenue
💡Turner
💡Gonzaga
💡Rivalry
Highlights
The potential dissolution of the ACC by June and its implications on college sports.
The addition of SMU, Cal, and Stanford to the ACC and the contentious vote around it.
ESPN's contract with the ACC and the stipulation that it cannot be renegotiated if the league dips below 15 members.
The upcoming official membership of SMU, Cal, and Stanford in the ACC and the potential legal battles with Florida State and Clemson.
The discovery of a nine-year discrepancy in the contract between ESPN and the ACC, leading to potential legal action.
The speculation that ESPN may not renew its contract with the ACC in 2027.
The possibility of the ACC falling apart if Florida State or Clemson leave before July 1, leading to a reworking of ESPN's deal.
The impact of the ACC's potential collapse on the Big 12 and the possible benefits it could bring.
The potential for a year of wilderness for ACC schools, allowing them to negotiate independent TV deals.
The discussion on the performance of Big 12 basketball teams in March Madness and the lack of representation in the final stages.
The analytical rankings of Big 12 teams and the disconnect between these rankings and their March Madness performance.
The debate on whether the Big 12 should add Gonzaga and Gonzaga to bolster its basketball conference.
The financial considerations and potential risks of adding Gonzaga and Gonzaga to the Big 12 based on their basketball success.
The argument that the Big 12 should focus on adding schools with strong football programs rather than basketball-only schools.
The potential for the Big 12 to expand by adding schools like Pitt or Washington State for their football footprint and TV viewership.
The长期使用ESPN的合同对ACC的影响以及佛罗里达州立大学和克莱姆森大学离开的潜在后果。
讨论ACC的潜在崩溃对大12联盟的即时和未来影响，以及可能的学校重新定位。
分析大12联盟是否应该添加Gonzaga和Yukon以增强其篮球实力，以及这种添加的财务和竞争影响。
对大12联盟篮球在未来一年的表现进行预测和建议，以及可能的改进方向。