RE: ACC Network to be housed in Bristol
I would theorize that the NC/VA schools are of more value to the B1G than they are to the SEC. It's a matter of demographics more than anything, but it also feeds into what Mike Slive said...the next movement will bring "very, very large conferences."
So perhaps we see 2 great Eastern conferences?
The Big 12 GOR was a measure to maintain control over the situation by the networks. Is the ACC GOR a similar tactic? What if the ACC Network is a stop gap measure? After all, the market is very bad for new linear channels right now...
While the B1G is imbedded with FOX, they still need ESPN exposure...
So maybe the best way for ESPN to get more B1G rights back is to really give them what they want so that the 1st and 2nd tier games can be back in the fold within a few years. ESPN doesn't need B1G 3rd tier rights or an ACC Network comprising mostly ACC 3rd tier rights. What they need is prime content to draw big audiences to their existing platforms and make their future streaming options more attractive.
While ESPN has spent time buying back 3rd tier rights for ACC schools, that simply makes it easier for them to control the situation. Not to mention, it gives them options.
What if its more like this?
SEC
West: Texas, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Kansas, Missouri
Central: Texas A&M, LSU, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Alabama
South: Auburn, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt
East: Florida State, Miami, Georgia Tech, Clemson, Kentucky, Louisville
B1G
West: Nebraska, Iowa, Iowa State, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Northwestern
Central: Illinois, Indiana, Purdue, Notre Dame, Michigan, Michigan State
North: Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Syracuse, Rutgers, Boston College
East: Maryland, Virginia, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, NC State, Duke
What in the world the PAC would do, I don't know.
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