Yeah that’s why I said, " Well FSU aint leaving right now."
I could potentially see the ACC expanding to UConn or WVU. I think the presidents like Cal and Stanford, but there’s no money there. SMU maybe, but not a rush.
I guess we’ll see how it plays out.
I’m just a fan of tight geography. My guess is the new Big 10 either grabs more to fill in gaps - hello Colorado types - or the west coast eventually divests.
Yeah I like the tighter geography too, but I guess it’s all a money game at this point. I listen to an interesting podcast/YouTube thing with UNC’s former chancellor talking with some sports radio guys. It was insightful about how these sports decisions are made by the school presidents/chancellors who may be big nerds and more interested in big research rather than big sports. They are aware of the money and sports issues, of course.
For the record Memphis is a R1 research institution. Many of the institutions that you mentioned are not. Memphis has an undeserved poor academic reputation.
Ha ha ha. Spoken like a true Memphian. I call on a Memphis booster for work.
The ACC is, to me, academically superior a conference. You could argue what does and doesn’t fit. Memphis doesn’t, R1 or not - but it might (in my mind, it’s not been mentioned) for ACC expansion from location and next man up athletic prowess. Or maybe a UCF ?. Academics aren’t always a factor anyway. I don’t take R1 as a sign of academic superiority but to each their own.
Go tigers.
Of course - they’re desperate. Going to the mountain west is a hit academically and a zero financially.
So they’re desperate.
I just don’t see any clue. I hope it doesn’t happen. It’s not fair to the kids either.
I know a coach at Stanford. I hope things work out for him.
I hadn’t heard they only needed one more vote of the current ACC teams to make this happen.
It’s interesting that Stanford seemingly really wants the ACC…perhaps they made this offer to Big 10 and Big 12 too though. Both those conferences would be better geographic fits.
It’s also interesting that Stanford hasn’t said peep about going independent (especially if they are willing to forego ACC $ for awhile) or potentially joining the Ivy League (if they are going to consider conferences where all other schools are in the eastern time zone).
Another wildcard is ND football…ND could still offer to bring football into the ACC in exchange for letting Stanford and Cal in. I can’t imagine all the teams, including FSU wouldn’t take that deal. FSU has less to threaten now as they chose to stay in the ACC through 2024.
Yeah - they were one short.
UNC, NC State, FSU and Clemson. They have a high bar - not 51%. Not sure why NC State but perhaps the two NC schools work together. I just don’t get it - I’d put in a stipulation - all away games for Stanford - no existing conference schools travel!!
Stanford couldn’t pull off independent. I mean they could pull it off but no one is “jonesing” for Stanford football.
Notre Dame has never shown an inkling of joining a conference. So why would they now?
To me, the B10 is a better fit for them - and frankly - they can follow the bigger payout conferences. Of course, the ACC has the “in” given they’re a member outside of football.
They’d have to give UND a double share 
I don’t see why everyone wants Stanford. Yes, the academic name - but that’s it.
Someone b4 said how about the Ivy - the issue there is the Ivy isn’t D1.
They could for football, especially if they are willing to take less money for a few years. Then the other sports join the Mountain West or a conference that makes sense geographically. Everyone is underestimating what it would mean for Stanford volleyball, basketball, baseball, and softball to have to travel to the Southeast for their games in the middle of the week.
It was widely reported last week that ND was considering bringing football into the ACC in exchange for ACC taking in Stanford and Cal. The rest of ND sports (besides ice hockey) are already in the ACC.
Agreed. Stanford was asleep at the wheel when Big10 was looking for more teams and took UCLA and USC. Right now Big 10 is saying no more teams, but of course things change.
The Ivy League is D1, but not FBS for football.
I only saw reports that UND pushed hard for Stanford but not that they would give up independence.
It would take a lot from the ACC - at least a double share -the expectation is $75 mil on the next contract. Even if they only get $50 mil - it still dwarfs the ACC.
You are correct - Ivy is D1 for other sports - that’s why in basketball, we have lots of 1AA football schools and non football schools in at March Madness - shocking the world. But my mind was focused on football.
It will be interesting how it all turns out - and in 10-15 years how it turns out again with the next “realignment.”
I agree. I am of the mind that there is no way ESPN and Fox can provide the same type of money that they currently are, let alone more. They are both having financial difficulties, because well, TV/cable TV is probably not the future.
It’s clear how important these sports deal revenues are to the schools based on these conference realignment happenings, so these administrators better get out in front of that situation.
Maybe the best course for the remaining PAC 4 schools is to pick up 2-6 schools and do a deal with Apple, starting 2024.
Stanford does well across all sports.
I’m not disputing that - but football is the driver. Basketball can be. The rest - are revenue sucks - and again, you’re talking about taking someone from Clemson and flying them out west for a gymnastics meet.
It’s just not feasible.
For the most part, few care about other sports - that’s why they’re not plastered on network TV or high level cable all the time.
Just my opinion - but Stanford (and CAL) clearly don’t fit.
I mean, it’s not like these administrators necessarily make good decisions - so just because they want it doesn’t make it right.
You asked why Stanford? I answered it. No one here disputes football is the driver. But there are 25-30 other sports to be played by these large universities.
Disagree. Travel takes place now. Speaking of gymnastics, I know Oklahoma traveled to Michigan for a match and Michigan traveled to GA for a match. UGA traveled to Las Vegas for a tournament. LSU traveled to UT. Both Cal (Berkeley) and Washington went to Baton Rouge, LA.
B1G teams will be now traveling to the West Coast. We have 4 west coast teams in the B1G now. Travel happens. They would or will figure it out.
OK to Michigan isn’t far - but track or gymnastics isn’t the right example - as it’s often done in multi team meets.
But women’s basketball or softball or field hockey - one to one sports.
We do have 4 west coast teams - and i predict for the non football folks - those with many games - it’s going to be a disaster and the programs at those two schools (outside the high image like football, mens hoops) will suffer. Who would want to subject themselves to that with frequency?
Just because it’s happening - these “Professional administrators” often make bad decisions. It’s my belief this is a bad decision (USC, UCLA and the schools that accepted them).
if Stanford is willing to forgo TV rights for xx years, I would think that the BiG Presidents would jump on that offer.
I also don’t think the west coast teams who have/will join conferences in disparate geographies are going to figure things out wrt to the teams that play many games during the week like baseball, softball, m/w basketball. There is no alternative…they have to play X games, have to play X games in conference, basketball has to conform to the networks’ schedules, etc.
Anytime someone from UCLA or USC says the athletes are students first, I will call BS. Same if Stanford and Cal join the ACC.
It would be ok/better if big10 added a couple more west coast schools so they can have a west coast division. But that does not seem to be on the table right now.
The biggest problem with this isn’t money (and money is an issue) but rather the lack of support for ‘Olympic’ sports at the possible new members. The ACC is a great fit except for geography.