(11-09-2013 08:57 AM)CougarRed Wrote: Was Louisvile's offer contingent?
I can see where the ACC might not want to give Maryland some equitable defense to the exit fee (how are you harmed ACC? You replaced us with the national champion/Sugar Bowl champ/CWS team!)
Maybe Louisville's offer was contingent on the exit fee resolution. Did anybody make a FOIA request for the ACC/Louisville agreement so we can read what it says?
In all probability Louisville's offer is contingent upon the departure of Maryland. Coach Pitino's remarks are typical of his 'positive attitude' toward most everything. He is a good coach but he's not necessarily privy to the legal intricacies of conference realignment. On the other hand, Ramsey is buried in it up to his neck. It is extremely unwise to disregard his assessment in light of the legal staff at his disposal.
In addition, the move to join the Big 10 is most likely based upon the contingency that Maryland will be allowed to withdraw from the ACC as well. If a homeowner chooses to buy a new home, both the purchase of the new home and the sale of the existing home are contingent upon the occurrence of the other. The money involved with conference realignment far exceeds the amounts involved in buying a home. The attorneys would be fools to enter into such a contract without such contingencies being spelled out.
You can rest assured the judge in Maryland has legitimate reasons for delaying legal proceedings pending a ruling from the North Carolina courts. The most obvious of which would be a favorable judgment for the ACC. Should the NC courts rule in favor of the conference, Maryland would be left to either pay the exit fees demanded or abort their efforts to join the Big 10. The ACC does not have the authority to evict Maryland from the conference if they opt to abort the move. Such an eviction would require judicial involvement.
Based upon Ramsey's statement, Louisville protected themselves from just this type of contingency. Exit fees from Maryland are only one aspect of all this; entry fees must be paid by Louisville as well. Again we're looking at a lot of money and it is highly unlikely Louisville agreed to terms that didn't include contingencies necessary to protect their money. You can rest assured Ramsey knows exactly what he's talking about.
Despite wishful thinking that Louisville's move to the ACC is a "done deal," it is anything but! Rutgers' move isn't contingent upon anything with Louisville and they should be free to move as planned. As for the incoming schools, they may, or may not, be contingent upon Louisville's departure. Any such contingencies could affect one of the newcomers or all of them depending upon the contractual agreements with the American and Conference USA.
At present it would be terribly unwise to disregard Ramsey's statements regardless of the opinions of Louisville's fan base or those of Rick Pitino. This is basically a classic example of counting your chickens before they're hatched.
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L'ville might still be in AAC next year?
