Bear Insider Cal Weekly Grab Bag – July 17, 2026

This week, Marshawn Lynch introduces a cutting edge partnership, BG posts on X and it’s been a while, ACC revenue projected, an Ian Strong preview, Dane Weber takes some time off, CFB expansion or not, a Cal Football season prediction, and we go back to 2007. 

After I implored Cal to be bold in last week’s post, they listened, and delivered.

BG knows a great story when he sees one. The Dialpad partnership with Cal is a glove fit with its keen alignment. Craig Walker and Jeremy Fiance, both Cal grads, have been on a long drive towards innovation. Cal’s AI Hub leads the nation. The collaboration with Dialpad enabled Cal’s game changing patch deal, the first in the ACC. 30 sports, 850+ student athletes. 

During the ACC Football Kickoff this week, Commissioner Jim Phillips presented record projected revenue for the ACC of $900M+ for FY 2025-2026 after achieving revenue of $826.5M in FY 2024-2025, a CAGR of almost 10%. Of note, revenue growth for FY2024 was primarily driven by television money from ESPN following the addition of Cal, Stanford, and SMU and the continued plus up of corporate sponsorships. The ACC is not standing still, building a strong foundation for its future. 

Ian Strong blew up UW last year as a wide receiver for Rutgers. Watch out, ACC!

Dane Weber enjoys his summer break with a day on the water. 

John Canzano, columnist and podcaster, speaks with the former head of Fox Sports, Bob Thompson. He knows the media company landscape and football team rights valuations like no other. His perspective is illuminating.

CFB Home has over 100K followers on X, including JKS. They take a stab at Cal’s W-L record for ’26. There’s a tough stretch late. What do you think, BI?

The Cal-Oregon game in 2007 was to say the least, scintillating and ignited national title hopes. The season fell short but not the hopes of Cal fans. Today, the Bears are positioning themselves to achieve what they could not 19 years ago.