(08-30-2014 08:33 PM)john01992 Wrote:  "Not everyone is as excited to join your league as you think"

I only say this because Big Ten fans just went through a painful lesson on this during realignment. Even obvious moves like FSU/Clemson to the SEC are not so obvious. Schools value the lesser things such as olympic sports, academic association, and having an easier SOS.

I think FSU wanting to leave the ACC was WAY overblown by people who had a clear agenda for the ACC to fail. I think if there was any consideration for FSU about leaving the ACC it was in the form of resentment about the way the ACC disregarded FSU's thoughts and feelings on how the conference should be run during conference realignment with SU/Pitt.

If money is a factor in forcing an ACC school to leave for the SEC, it will be due to a gap so massive that schools will feel that it is at the point of "do or die."

13/14 schools don't sign a GOR + $53 mill exit fee if they didn't have an extremely strong willpower to remain in their current league.

1. They signed out of fear of losing any leverage if things disintegrated. There is no leverage for better deals in a run. And it was very clear there wouldn't be spots for everyone.

2. The difference will wind up being 8 figures within a few years. Considering the starting earning points of the Big 10 and SEC and how they dominate the top twenty spots in total earnings, such a difference would only enhance a gigantic gap that already exists. Comparing a couple of million on a TV contract is not even 20% of the total picture John. But when the TV money gap grows then the top earners that gross over 100 million a year will have surpassed the top schools in the ACC by as much as 30 million a year, and in some case even a lot more, depending upon the schools compared.

3. I have no doubt but what the core of the ACC wants to stay together, but I wouldn't put much stock in how loyal the football first schools will remain in the face of a chasm that particularly affects Florida State, Clemson, Georgia Tech and Miami. Virginia Tech has some decisions to make too. I wouldn't be too surprised if the Big 10 goes to 16 with Virginia Tech and Kansas at some point. For Wake Forest, Virginia, and Duke it is a moot issue, they will try to stay together. North Carolina will have to do some soul searching at that time. But if the Heels stay as well then the ACC will survive and limp on as a great basketball conference inclusive of Pitt and Syracuse, but it will essentially become the best G6 conference in football and remain a power conference in hoops. Notre Dame? Who knows? I wouldn't even be surprised if Georgia Tech and Miami consciously made the decision to accept a de-emphasis in football and remain with a solid academic core.

But with the right influx of credentials in pigskin I think all of it changes and a solid P4 is born.