The ultimate long play would be for the P5 (probably P4 by the time it occurs) to form a league similar to the pro sports, a virtual monopoly (or a real monopoly in MLB), possibly with a second tier (the remainder of Div1). All the teams would share equally in the TV revenues and there would be more sharing but still plenty of opportunity for marketing differential.

Teams could then be re-arranged into more comprehensible (read regional) divisions without risking mega-dollar buy-outs, etc.

For those thinking Texas will not bolt from the Big 12, recall that they flirted with the idea until TAMU joined the SEC (where they wanted to be at least since Arkansas left the SWC). From friends that are connected at various levels to UT, UT is not looking west (not enough eyes, not enough sports interest, not buying into the Asia market for college sports); The SEC has never been on their radar for academic reasons; the B1G is top heavy and UNL has not succeeded in ruling the B1G (not that they ruled the Big 12), not a promising opportunity; The ACC offers the best opportunity but, as noted, the travel can be harsh (not so much for football but for all other teams), though they often admit, flying to Boston, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, and Miami would not be that much different than now (they would actually save the 90 minute bus ride from Pitt to Morgantown!).

It is hard to believe that ESPN will continue to pay 10 teams when they can "move" a few to other conferences, saving money while paying the other conferences more (win-win), especially when there is so little viewership in comparison to the ACC, SEC and B1G. Expansion failed (yeah, several reasons) because there are no home-runs available in the G5. The LHN benefits UT, no doubt; however, ESPN is not making the $ they thought they would, the deal is not likely to continue unless ESPN turns it around, which may be harder that people think:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/...ly-into-it

(Thanks Wicked Orange from: https://syracusefan.com/threads/acc-conf...489/page-2)

Note: The B1G is also heavily vested in the cable subscribers and will probably lose revenue in the not to distant future (not that it will hurt them much).

The PAC is likely safe as they are too far away for picking. The B1G has the large state schools across the northern midwest and plains. The SEC has been tied together for so long that it is hard to think anyone would leave unless forced to do so. The ACC core has been together as long as the SEC and B1G cores and the additions are stable and have strong ties with the core schools. That leaves the Big 12, with the least coverage, population, desirable schools, and least desirable places to visit for the pickings. Texas and Oklahoma are the top prizes.