http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9200081/acc-media-rights-deal-lock-schools-okd-presidents
ACC schools agree to grant TV rights to conference until 2026-27... which should end all talk like UNC to Big Ten or FSU to the Big 12.
I think this is a good thing for the Pac 12 for the foreseeable future. We no longer have to worry about being left behind in the push for 4 super conferences. There will be 5 for the next 10+ years with this move. Not most elegant number, but workable.
Only way re-alignment happens sooner is if:
A) some schools test the legality of grant of media rights and win due to state schools having sovereignty under certain states law
B) if the Big 12 votes to dissolve thus allowing schools to move to a new conference. Not sure on the voting requirements under their bylaws, but it's likely a 75% vote (or more), so then there would have to be 8+ schools that have a new destination already in mind.
The biggest threat to the P12 in the future was the Big 12 going to 16, and the Big Ten and SEC following... then leaving us with no viable geographical additions (that add monetary value). Now the Big Ten has NO viable options to go past 14, and neither does the SEC. Big 12 will really have to look long and hard at whether they want to go back to 12 and have a CCG too.
Now the only question that remains is what will the TV money look like in 2023 and how will that affect how the conferences continue to operate. That and whether the 4 team playoff needs tweaking (aka expansion).
I think this is a really good day in terms of stability.
ACC schools agree to grant TV rights to conference until 2026-27... which should end all talk like UNC to Big Ten or FSU to the Big 12.
I think this is a good thing for the Pac 12 for the foreseeable future. We no longer have to worry about being left behind in the push for 4 super conferences. There will be 5 for the next 10+ years with this move. Not most elegant number, but workable.
Only way re-alignment happens sooner is if:
A) some schools test the legality of grant of media rights and win due to state schools having sovereignty under certain states law
B) if the Big 12 votes to dissolve thus allowing schools to move to a new conference. Not sure on the voting requirements under their bylaws, but it's likely a 75% vote (or more), so then there would have to be 8+ schools that have a new destination already in mind.
The biggest threat to the P12 in the future was the Big 12 going to 16, and the Big Ten and SEC following... then leaving us with no viable geographical additions (that add monetary value). Now the Big Ten has NO viable options to go past 14, and neither does the SEC. Big 12 will really have to look long and hard at whether they want to go back to 12 and have a CCG too.
Now the only question that remains is what will the TV money look like in 2023 and how will that affect how the conferences continue to operate. That and whether the 4 team playoff needs tweaking (aka expansion).
I think this is a really good day in terms of stability.