(05-16-2013 08:39 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(05-15-2013 09:31 PM)bitcruncher Wrote:  When Swofford brings in a few playoff wins he'll have stability. But the ACC's BCS record leaves a lot to be desired, and unless they can improve on that in the future, stability has not been achieved...

Winning on the field has almost nothing to do with stability. The B1G is routinely mocked for it's performance in big games and there's not a more stable conference out there. The Big East had a better record in BCS games than the ACC in recent years and that didn't have anything to do with stability. Stability is only achieved through money and a desire of the schools to be together.

Spoken like a true capitalist...

I think the general reasoning of the thread is fairly strong. But a couple of aspects I believe are missing. As time goes by one of the best moves by Swofford will have been steering the ACC slightly away from both basketball centrism and an absolutist view on academics. Taking Louisville was a break in intransigent thought on one issue and a compromise on the other. With this new flexibility the ACC has actually gotten stronger. They are now flexible enough to consider who, and how value, can be added to the conference. What this means for the ACC's future is that now they will be more open as to how best exploit that tremendous market they own. Strength will be found in that.

While I don't see them ever taking a complete academic undesirable for the sake of getting to sixteen should they ever expand, they certainly have enough flexibility now to be open to a situation that may involve having to bend on an average team to gain a great one. That yet could prove to be most beneficial to the coming network.

My second observation is that while Swofford is deserving of the praise received here, ESPN's role behind the scenes, and after they decided to act, has been tremendously understated. Without that I doubt the commissioner's position in the moves would have been as influential. I think that in the end when the dust of secrecy settles that the plans for a viable network will be the have been clearly the determining factor for a GOR. Notre Dame joining stopped any panic that may ever have been in the minds of some of the presidents, Louisville assuaged the fears over basketball centrism and the limited growth prospects from an academic perspective, but the promise of a real economic gap closer in the form of a network probably made the GOR a comfortable decision. ESPN, in my opinion, closed this deal with a tacit yes to network income.

(05-20-2013 07:19 AM)JRsec Wrote:  I think the general reasoning of the thread is fairly strong. But a couple of aspects I believe are missing. As time goes by one of the best moves by Swofford will have been steering the ACC slightly away from both basketball centrism and an absolutist view on academics. Taking Louisville was a break in intransigent thought on one issue and a compromise on the other. With this new flexibility the ACC has actually gotten stronger. They are now flexible enough to consider who, and how value, can be added to the conference. What this means for the ACC's future is that now they will be more open as to how best exploit that tremendous market they own. Strength will be found in that.

While I don't see them ever taking a complete academic undesirable for the sake of getting to sixteen should they ever expand, they certainly have enough flexibility now to be open to a situation that may involve having to bend on an average team to gain a great one. That yet could prove to be most beneficial to the coming network.

My second observation is that while Swofford is deserving of the praise received here, ESPN's role behind the scenes, and after they decided to act, has been tremendously understated. Without that I doubt the commissioner's position in the moves would have been as influential. I think that in the end when the dust of secrecy settles that the plans for a viable network will be the have been clearly the determining factor for a GOR. Notre Dame joining stopped any panic that may ever have been in the minds of some of the presidents, Louisville assuaged the fears over basketball centrism and the limited growth prospects from an academic perspective, but the promise of a real economic gap closer in the form of a network probably made the GOR a comfortable decision. ESPN, in my opinion, closed this deal with a tacit yes to network income.

Well stated JR. I also think the addition of ND as a partial despite the conference's former strong stance on all-in or out as well as equal revenue sharing is another indication of the ACC's new found flexibility.

Cheers,
Neil

Good post JR...I tried to tell the B12 fans that ESPN wasn't going to let FOX cherry pick elite and near elite programs for their stable. Maryland could've morphed into something worse but they stopped the bleeding quickly. Losing Maryland hurts but it is recoverable. There is only one brand (UConn) left on the east coast and I think the ACC might just ask them.

The ACC complements the SEC in the Fall and the SEC complements the ACC in the Winter. Both conferences are strong in the Spring with the edge to the ACC due to Lacrosse.

I am just amazed that many now consider Louisville as a "Football addition"...a program tat has 1 NIT Title, 13 Elite Eights, 10 Final Fours & 3 NCAA Men's Basketball Titles.

Now us it even more amazing the ACC put aside our academic shortcomings as compared to the rest of the league.

(05-20-2013 09:02 AM)TexanMark Wrote:  Good post JR...I tried to tell the B12 fans that ESPN wasn't going to let FOX cherry pick elite and near elite programs for their stable. Maryland could've morphed into something worse but they stopped the bleeding quickly. Losing Maryland hurts but it is recoverable. There is only one brand (UConn) left on the east coast and I think the ACC might just ask them.

The ACC complements the SEC in the Fall and the SEC complements the ACC in the Winter. Both conferences are strong in the Spring with the edge to the ACC due to Lacrosse.

Bingo...ESPN now has with the upcoming SEC/ACC Networks has the Best Football & Basketball league under their umbrella along with the exclusive rights to the CFP...

(05-20-2013 09:02 AM)TexanMark Wrote:  Good post JR...I tried to tell the B12 fans that ESPN wasn't going to let FOX cherry pick elite and near elite programs for their stable. Maryland could've morphed into something worse but they stopped the bleeding quickly. Losing Maryland hurts but it is recoverable. There is only one brand (UConn) left on the east coast and I think the ACC might just ask them.

The ACC complements the SEC in the Fall and the SEC complements the ACC in the Winter. Both conferences are strong in the Spring with the edge to the ACC due to Lacrosse.

Losing Maryland hurt (maybe, somewhat?), but with the addition of Louisville, the league has already recovered (and then some, IMHO).

I'm willing to start another one of those "signature space" bets with anyone who believes UConn gets an invite before the GOR expires

:)

In fact, if I was presented with one of the following bets:

a) Maryland secretly crawls back to the ACC after 10 years of B1G bliss, or

b) The ACC publicly extends and invitation to UConn in 10 years

I'm taking "a" even though the evidence probably wouldn't be revealed until 2020.

(05-20-2013 10:25 AM)ecuacc4ever Wrote:  

(05-20-2013 09:02 AM)TexanMark Wrote:  Good post JR...I tried to tell the B12 fans that ESPN wasn't going to let FOX cherry pick elite and near elite programs for their stable. Maryland could've morphed into something worse but they stopped the bleeding quickly. Losing Maryland hurts but it is recoverable. There is only one brand (UConn) left on the east coast and I think the ACC might just ask them.

The ACC complements the SEC in the Fall and the SEC complements the ACC in the Winter. Both conferences are strong in the Spring with the edge to the ACC due to Lacrosse.

Losing Maryland hurt (maybe, somewhat?), but with the addition of Louisville, the league has already recovered (and then some, IMHO).

I'm willing to start another one of those "signature space" bets with anyone who believes UConn gets an invite before the GOR expires

:)

In fact, if I was presented with one of the following bets:

a) Maryland secretly crawls back to the ACC after 10 years of B1G bliss, or

b) The ACC publicly extends and invitation to UConn in 10 years

I'm taking "a" even though the evidence probably wouldn't be revealed until 2020.

The only way I see UConn getting into the ACC is if ESPN wants them and whether or not they do or don't I have no clue. But I wouldn't rule out two more full members for the ACC if the other conferences should experience any kind of major movement.

(05-20-2013 10:30 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-20-2013 10:25 AM)ecuacc4ever Wrote:  

(05-20-2013 09:02 AM)TexanMark Wrote:  Good post JR...I tried to tell the B12 fans that ESPN wasn't going to let FOX cherry pick elite and near elite programs for their stable. Maryland could've morphed into something worse but they stopped the bleeding quickly. Losing Maryland hurts but it is recoverable. There is only one brand (UConn) left on the east coast and I think the ACC might just ask them.

The ACC complements the SEC in the Fall and the SEC complements the ACC in the Winter. Both conferences are strong in the Spring with the edge to the ACC due to Lacrosse.

Losing Maryland hurt (maybe, somewhat?), but with the addition of Louisville, the league has already recovered (and then some, IMHO).

I'm willing to start another one of those "signature space" bets with anyone who believes UConn gets an invite before the GOR expires

:)

In fact, if I was presented with one of the following bets:

a) Maryland secretly crawls back to the ACC after 10 years of B1G bliss, or

b) The ACC publicly extends and invitation to UConn in 10 years

I'm taking "a" even though the evidence probably wouldn't be revealed until 2020.

The only way I see UConn getting into the ACC is if ESPN wants them and whether or not they do or don't I have no clue. But I wouldn't rule out two more full members for the ACC if the other conferences should experience any kind of major movement.

But ESPN already has UConn on the cheap as part of the American. Why would they pay more for them to add them to the ACC?

(05-20-2013 10:53 AM)CommuterBob Wrote:  

(05-20-2013 10:30 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-20-2013 10:25 AM)ecuacc4ever Wrote:  

(05-20-2013 09:02 AM)TexanMark Wrote:  Good post JR...I tried to tell the B12 fans that ESPN wasn't going to let FOX cherry pick elite and near elite programs for their stable. Maryland could've morphed into something worse but they stopped the bleeding quickly. Losing Maryland hurts but it is recoverable. There is only one brand (UConn) left on the east coast and I think the ACC might just ask them.

The ACC complements the SEC in the Fall and the SEC complements the ACC in the Winter. Both conferences are strong in the Spring with the edge to the ACC due to Lacrosse.

Losing Maryland hurt (maybe, somewhat?), but with the addition of Louisville, the league has already recovered (and then some, IMHO).

I'm willing to start another one of those "signature space" bets with anyone who believes UConn gets an invite before the GOR expires

:)

In fact, if I was presented with one of the following bets:

a) Maryland secretly crawls back to the ACC after 10 years of B1G bliss, or

b) The ACC publicly extends and invitation to UConn in 10 years

I'm taking "a" even though the evidence probably wouldn't be revealed until 2020.

The only way I see UConn getting into the ACC is if ESPN wants them and whether or not they do or don't I have no clue. But I wouldn't rule out two more full members for the ACC if the other conferences should experience any kind of major movement.

But ESPN already has UConn on the cheap as part of the American. Why would they pay more for them to add them to the ACC?

The only thing I have ever heard that might pertain to this situation (and I don't know how much credibility to place in it) is that there may be some in state politics between the Connecticut House and ESPN where supposedly ESPN might receive some reciprocal benefit for helping UConn out.

(05-20-2013 10:30 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-20-2013 10:25 AM)ecuacc4ever Wrote:  

(05-20-2013 09:02 AM)TexanMark Wrote:  Good post JR...I tried to tell the B12 fans that ESPN wasn't going to let FOX cherry pick elite and near elite programs for their stable. Maryland could've morphed into something worse but they stopped the bleeding quickly. Losing Maryland hurts but it is recoverable. There is only one brand (UConn) left on the east coast and I think the ACC might just ask them.

The ACC complements the SEC in the Fall and the SEC complements the ACC in the Winter. Both conferences are strong in the Spring with the edge to the ACC due to Lacrosse.

Losing Maryland hurt (maybe, somewhat?), but with the addition of Louisville, the league has already recovered (and then some, IMHO).

I'm willing to start another one of those "signature space" bets with anyone who believes UConn gets an invite before the GOR expires

:)

In fact, if I was presented with one of the following bets:

a) Maryland secretly crawls back to the ACC after 10 years of B1G bliss, or

b) The ACC publicly extends and invitation to UConn in 10 years

I'm taking "a" even though the evidence probably wouldn't be revealed until 2020.

The only way I see UConn getting into the ACC is if ESPN wants them and whether or not they do or don't I have no clue. But I wouldn't rule out two more full members for the ACC if the other conferences should experience any kind of major movement.

I beleive that West Virginia has more of a chance to receive that invitation than UConn.

(05-20-2013 10:30 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-20-2013 10:25 AM)ecuacc4ever Wrote:  

(05-20-2013 09:02 AM)TexanMark Wrote:  Good post JR...I tried to tell the B12 fans that ESPN wasn't going to let FOX cherry pick elite and near elite programs for their stable. Maryland could've morphed into something worse but they stopped the bleeding quickly. Losing Maryland hurts but it is recoverable. There is only one brand (UConn) left on the east coast and I think the ACC might just ask them.

The ACC complements the SEC in the Fall and the SEC complements the ACC in the Winter. Both conferences are strong in the Spring with the edge to the ACC due to Lacrosse.

Losing Maryland hurt (maybe, somewhat?), but with the addition of Louisville, the league has already recovered (and then some, IMHO).

I'm willing to start another one of those "signature space" bets with anyone who believes UConn gets an invite before the GOR expires

:)

In fact, if I was presented with one of the following bets:

a) Maryland secretly crawls back to the ACC after 10 years of B1G bliss, or

b) The ACC publicly extends and invitation to UConn in 10 years

I'm taking "a" even though the evidence probably wouldn't be revealed until 2020.

The only way I see UConn getting into the ACC is if ESPN wants them and whether or not they do or don't I have no clue. But I wouldn't rule out two more full members for the ACC if the other conferences should experience any kind of major movement.

Only way I see ESPN getting UConn in is if they "under-the-table" front the FB schools about $4M or so per season to make them hold their noses.

If UConn FB is worth $4M/year to ESPN, then that'll happen.

(05-20-2013 12:02 PM)ecuacc4ever Wrote:  

(05-20-2013 10:30 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-20-2013 10:25 AM)ecuacc4ever Wrote:  

(05-20-2013 09:02 AM)TexanMark Wrote:  Good post JR...I tried to tell the B12 fans that ESPN wasn't going to let FOX cherry pick elite and near elite programs for their stable. Maryland could've morphed into something worse but they stopped the bleeding quickly. Losing Maryland hurts but it is recoverable. There is only one brand (UConn) left on the east coast and I think the ACC might just ask them.

The ACC complements the SEC in the Fall and the SEC complements the ACC in the Winter. Both conferences are strong in the Spring with the edge to the ACC due to Lacrosse.

Losing Maryland hurt (maybe, somewhat?), but with the addition of Louisville, the league has already recovered (and then some, IMHO).

I'm willing to start another one of those "signature space" bets with anyone who believes UConn gets an invite before the GOR expires

:)

In fact, if I was presented with one of the following bets:

a) Maryland secretly crawls back to the ACC after 10 years of B1G bliss, or

b) The ACC publicly extends and invitation to UConn in 10 years

I'm taking "a" even though the evidence probably wouldn't be revealed until 2020.

The only way I see UConn getting into the ACC is if ESPN wants them and whether or not they do or don't I have no clue. But I wouldn't rule out two more full members for the ACC if the other conferences should experience any kind of major movement.

Only way I see ESPN getting UConn in is if they "under-the-table" front the FB schools about $4M or so per season to make them hold their noses.

If UConn FB is worth $4M/year to ESPN, then that'll happen.

Except wouldn't that be 4 x 14 or $56 million. Not happening in that case.

Cheers,
Neil