(09-11-2013 07:44 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(09-11-2013 01:45 PM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  

(09-11-2013 01:32 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  While Clemson and FSU (and GT) all have serious issues with the ACC and John HerpDerpington Swofford ... we all have even more issues with the SEC.

Plus, with 50% of the US population being within the ACC footprint by 2030 ... an ACC TV network could dwarf every other league's TV income. The Pac-12 and ACC really are in the strongest positions for money making.

But, swagger, all those people in the footprint have to be interested. The northern ACC schools have a problem even filling up their stadiums, many of which are small in the first place. Also, the footprint data for Louisville, Clemson, Ga. Tech, FSU, and Miami are an overlap of the SEC; it is not like the ACC is in an exclusive footprint. What are those issues with the SEC, by the way? All the schools in the region have 50 or 100 year old beefs, but most of those people are dead. What are the current issues? Academic integrity/status can no longer be an argument after the ACC took Louisville, not to mention the UNC disaster. The SEC has had problems, but academics in the southern ACC schools is close to a wash with the SEC as it stands.

That's just it. It isn't just about eyeballs, it is about eyeballs watching. I do think the ACC is in good position for the future if they hold it together through the next round of realignment.

I think Swagger is more incorrect about the PAC. Not only is it a very disinterested population out there, just look at the size of their stadiums, but they also get screwed by their time zone. First off, their later games get ZERO highlight coverage on ESPN except for the next day and by then many football fans have moved on to thinking about the NFL. The PAC seriously needs some Central Time Zone coverage in order to get their major programs some earlier games so they can get full highlight coverage on ESPN. That is why Oregon likes those games in Texas.

The time zone thing simply doesn't make any sense though. The only game time that would be a problem would be 12:00 EST starts. Clearly the PAC can't make those. But if the issue is playing games to maximize viewership, then play your 3:30 EST game at 12:30 PST and your east coast prime time 7:30 EST prime time game at 4:30 PST and your west coast prime time game at 10:30 PST.

Why are times in other time zones needed to play games throughout Saturday? In this regard I would agree with you H1 in that its fan apathy that is really hamstringing the PAC.