https://247sports.com/college/maryland/l...5/#2188964

”So at first, commissioner Delany, I don't think was interested. One of the reasons why [was] they had gone to Maryland years before that and Maryland said they had no interest. But then what happened is the ACC was able to bring Notre Dame in as a partial partner. That changed the landscape. That changed the thinking of the Big Ten. And so now it was [Big Ten] commissioner [John] Delany having a conversation, with me saying, 'Are you still interested?' I talked to the [university] president [Wallace Loh]. I got the Board of Trustees involved in it. And so we started to explore it."

So the ACC and Swofford challenged the B10 and it backfired? It’s also interesting that UMCP apporached the B10 first in 2012.

ON WHY THE BIG TEN WAS ATTRACTIVE
"The Big Ten was more attractive because it looked more like Maryland than any of the ACC schools. The other thing is that the football brand was being neglected and at that time, I mean, Clemson and Florida State, I think they were looking at a way out.

Did Clemson want to get out even in 2012. Hard to believe.

(06-26-2023 12:36 PM)random asian guy Wrote:  https://247sports.com/college/maryland/l...5/#2188964

”So at first, commissioner Delany, I don't think was interested. One of the reasons why [was] they had gone to Maryland years before that and Maryland said they had no interest. But then what happened is the ACC was able to bring Notre Dame in as a partial partner. That changed the landscape. That changed the thinking of the Big Ten. And so now it was [Big Ten] commissioner [John] Delany having a conversation, with me saying, 'Are you still interested?' I talked to the [university] president [Wallace Loh]. I got the Board of Trustees involved in it. And so we started to explore it."

So the ACC and Swofford challenged the B10 and it backfired? It’s also interesting that UMCP apporached the B10 first in 2012.

ON WHY THE BIG TEN WAS ATTRACTIVE
"The Big Ten was more attractive because it looked more like Maryland than any of the ACC schools. The other thing is that the football brand was being neglected and at that time, I mean, Clemson and Florida State, I think they were looking at a way out.

Did Clemson want to get out even in 2012. Hard to believe.

Clemson was just doing their due diligence. Now, maybe FSU wanted out - I'm not sure, because FSU seems to have many voices, but I do know they voted against raising the exit fee, along with Maryland. I don't think anyone else seriously wanted out, though.

What a crock of ****.

He must be fearful that Debbie is going to talk.

(06-26-2023 12:36 PM)random asian guy Wrote:  https://247sports.com/college/maryland/l...5/#2188964

”So at first, commissioner Delany, I don't think was interested. One of the reasons why [was] they had gone to Maryland years before that and Maryland said they had no interest. But then what happened is the ACC was able to bring Notre Dame in as a partial partner. That changed the landscape. That changed the thinking of the Big Ten. And so now it was [Big Ten] commissioner [John] Delany having a conversation, with me saying, 'Are you still interested?' I talked to the [university] president [Wallace Loh]. I got the Board of Trustees involved in it. And so we started to explore it."

So the ACC and Swofford challenged the B10 and it backfired? It’s also interesting that UMCP apporached the B10 first in 2012.

ON WHY THE BIG TEN WAS ATTRACTIVE
"The Big Ten was more attractive because it looked more like Maryland than any of the ACC schools. The other thing is that the football brand was being neglected and at that time, I mean, Clemson and Florida State, I think they were looking at a way out.

Did Clemson want to get out even in 2012. Hard to believe.

As I recall, both FSU and Clemson would have gone to the Big 12 had Maryland's replacement not been a football first school. UConn probably would have been added if it was not for their objections. So, Louisville was the most attractive candidate (WVU was locked up by a GoR in the Big 12 at the time).

(06-26-2023 01:20 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 12:36 PM)random asian guy Wrote:  https://247sports.com/college/maryland/l...5/#2188964

”So at first, commissioner Delany, I don't think was interested. One of the reasons why [was] they had gone to Maryland years before that and Maryland said they had no interest. But then what happened is the ACC was able to bring Notre Dame in as a partial partner. That changed the landscape. That changed the thinking of the Big Ten. And so now it was [Big Ten] commissioner [John] Delany having a conversation, with me saying, 'Are you still interested?' I talked to the [university] president [Wallace Loh]. I got the Board of Trustees involved in it. And so we started to explore it."

So the ACC and Swofford challenged the B10 and it backfired? It’s also interesting that UMCP apporached the B10 first in 2012.

ON WHY THE BIG TEN WAS ATTRACTIVE
"The Big Ten was more attractive because it looked more like Maryland than any of the ACC schools. The other thing is that the football brand was being neglected and at that time, I mean, Clemson and Florida State, I think they were looking at a way out.

Did Clemson want to get out even in 2012. Hard to believe.

As I recall, both FSU and Clemson would have gone to the Big 12 had Maryland's replacement not been a football first school. UConn probably would have been added if it was not for their objections. So, Louisville was the most attractive candidate (WVU was locked up by a GoR in the Big 12 at the time).

UConn NEVER had the needed votes. You think BC, GT, NC State, VT, and Miami was going to vote for UConn - that's folklore. It was about who could get votes from the block of UVa, WF, GT, Duke, and UNC. That was never going to be West Virginia who was not locked up by anything.

If not Louisville it would have been Cincy or Houston.

The real story is that MD System President Brit Kirwan, orchestrated the move out of:

1. His love of the B10
2. His hatred of Duke and UNC
3. His desire to use it to take over other MD institutions

This is fully documented in the Baltimore Sun.

Debbie Yow could write quite the compelling novel about MD's internal operations, who used to divert money from the athletic department to the general fund, who misspent donations mean for athletics on academic intrigues, on over the top Title IX **** in proximity to DC, and the politics of the State of MD. MD started digging their hole in 1970 but that's a story for you dear reader to investigate.

(06-26-2023 01:20 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 12:36 PM)random asian guy Wrote:  https://247sports.com/college/maryland/l...5/#2188964

”So at first, commissioner Delany, I don't think was interested. One of the reasons why [was] they had gone to Maryland years before that and Maryland said they had no interest. But then what happened is the ACC was able to bring Notre Dame in as a partial partner. That changed the landscape. That changed the thinking of the Big Ten. And so now it was [Big Ten] commissioner [John] Delany having a conversation, with me saying, 'Are you still interested?' I talked to the [university] president [Wallace Loh]. I got the Board of Trustees involved in it. And so we started to explore it."

So the ACC and Swofford challenged the B10 and it backfired? It’s also interesting that UMCP apporached the B10 first in 2012.

ON WHY THE BIG TEN WAS ATTRACTIVE
"The Big Ten was more attractive because it looked more like Maryland than any of the ACC schools. The other thing is that the football brand was being neglected and at that time, I mean, Clemson and Florida State, I think they were looking at a way out.

Did Clemson want to get out even in 2012. Hard to believe.

As I recall, both FSU and Clemson would have gone to the Big 12 had Maryland's replacement not been a football first school. UConn probably would have been added if it was not for their objections. So, Louisville was the most attractive candidate (WVU was locked up by a GoR in the Big 12 at the time).

Florida State wanted to improve revenues and keep exit costs down, but not for the B12. Same with Clemson. The B12 was not a solution to anything for these schools.

Several writers reported at the time that John Delany's courting of Maryland had a personal dimension. The Notre Dame agreement with the ACC embarrassed him and he wanted to bloody the league's nose. He had assumed the B1G had dibs on the Irish somehow—an assumption the Irish didn't share.

(06-26-2023 01:24 PM)SouthernConfBoy Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 01:20 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 12:36 PM)random asian guy Wrote:  https://247sports.com/college/maryland/l...5/#2188964

”So at first, commissioner Delany, I don't think was interested. One of the reasons why [was] they had gone to Maryland years before that and Maryland said they had no interest. But then what happened is the ACC was able to bring Notre Dame in as a partial partner. That changed the landscape. That changed the thinking of the Big Ten. And so now it was [Big Ten] commissioner [John] Delany having a conversation, with me saying, 'Are you still interested?' I talked to the [university] president [Wallace Loh]. I got the Board of Trustees involved in it. And so we started to explore it."

So the ACC and Swofford challenged the B10 and it backfired? It’s also interesting that UMCP apporached the B10 first in 2012.

ON WHY THE BIG TEN WAS ATTRACTIVE
"The Big Ten was more attractive because it looked more like Maryland than any of the ACC schools. The other thing is that the football brand was being neglected and at that time, I mean, Clemson and Florida State, I think they were looking at a way out.

Did Clemson want to get out even in 2012. Hard to believe.

As I recall, both FSU and Clemson would have gone to the Big 12 had Maryland's replacement not been a football first school. UConn probably would have been added if it was not for their objections. So, Louisville was the most attractive candidate (WVU was locked up by a GoR in the Big 12 at the time).

UConn NEVER had the needed votes. You think BC, GT, NC State, VT, and Miami was going to vote for UConn - that's folklore. It was about who could get votes from the block of UVa, WF, GT, Duke, and UNC. That was never going to be West Virginia who was not locked up by anything.

If not Louisville it would have been Cincy or Houston.

The bolded text is why is probably why Texas & Oklahoma didn't join the ACC, despite having a desire to do so and ESPN directing them there and why Clemson & FSU want to leave!! FSU & Clemson are wanting to file for divorce from Duke, UVa, UNC & WF. Even weirder, UNC now wants to divorce the ACC. No clue what that is about!!

(06-26-2023 09:14 PM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 01:24 PM)SouthernConfBoy Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 01:20 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 12:36 PM)random asian guy Wrote:  https://247sports.com/college/maryland/l...5/#2188964

”So at first, commissioner Delany, I don't think was interested. One of the reasons why [was] they had gone to Maryland years before that and Maryland said they had no interest. But then what happened is the ACC was able to bring Notre Dame in as a partial partner. That changed the landscape. That changed the thinking of the Big Ten. And so now it was [Big Ten] commissioner [John] Delany having a conversation, with me saying, 'Are you still interested?' I talked to the [university] president [Wallace Loh]. I got the Board of Trustees involved in it. And so we started to explore it."

So the ACC and Swofford challenged the B10 and it backfired? It’s also interesting that UMCP apporached the B10 first in 2012.

ON WHY THE BIG TEN WAS ATTRACTIVE
"The Big Ten was more attractive because it looked more like Maryland than any of the ACC schools. The other thing is that the football brand was being neglected and at that time, I mean, Clemson and Florida State, I think they were looking at a way out.

Did Clemson want to get out even in 2012. Hard to believe.

As I recall, both FSU and Clemson would have gone to the Big 12 had Maryland's replacement not been a football first school. UConn probably would have been added if it was not for their objections. So, Louisville was the most attractive candidate (WVU was locked up by a GoR in the Big 12 at the time).

UConn NEVER had the needed votes. You think BC, GT, NC State, VT, and Miami was going to vote for UConn - that's folklore. It was about who could get votes from the block of UVa, WF, GT, Duke, and UNC. That was never going to be West Virginia who was not locked up by anything.

If not Louisville it would have been Cincy or Houston.

The bolded text is why is probably why Texas & Oklahoma didn't join the ACC, despite having a desire to do so and ESPN directing them there and why Clemson & FSU want to leave!! FSU & Clemson are wanting to file for divorce from Duke, UVa, UNC & WF. Even weirder, UNC now wants to divorce the ACC. No clue what that is about!!

Perhaps Phillips can get a change pushed through the ACC where votes are per state, not per school. FSU and Miami each get half a vote. GT and Clemson get a vote. Wake/Duke/UNC/NC State each get a quarter vote, and so on. That would fix a lot of issues.

Kevin Anderson fired reigning ACC coach of the year Ralph Friedgen in order to hire Randy Edsall. He then replaced Gary Williams with Mark Turgeon. Not sure that boosters were ever supportive of Anderson. Nine years into the B1G and Maryland averaged 31K fans during an 8-5 this past season. Let that sink in.

Compared to their ACC years, the Terrapins lose one more football game per year but win one more basketball game per year…about what you would expect on the field.

Of course, being in the B1G means that 1) administrators & coaches get paid a whole lot more money; and 2) their basketball team goes to the Tournament more frequently (before quickly getting eliminated).

(06-27-2023 12:51 AM)Wahoowa84 Wrote:  Kevin Anderson fired reigning ACC coach of the year Ralph Friedgen in order to hire Randy Edsall. He then replaced Gary Williams with Mark Turgeon. Not sure that boosters were ever supportive of Anderson. Nine years into the B1G and Maryland averaged 31K fans during an 8-5 this past season. Let that sink in.

Compared to their ACC years, the Terrapins lose one more football game per year but win one more basketball game per year…about what you would expect on the field.

Of course, being in the B1G means that 1) administrators & coaches get paid a whole lot more money; and 2) their basketball team goes to the Tournament more frequently (before quickly getting eliminated).

Wow! 13,000 empty seats on average... even at ACC prices, that offsets a chunk of that Big Ten TV money! This year it looks like the cheapest tickets you can get for a Terps home game is around $99, so... 13,000 X $99 = $1,287,000 per game. Multiply that by 7 home games and you get just over $9 million.

Of course, they aren't all cheap seats, and we haven't accounted for concessions and parking, so the true lost revenue is somewhat higher.

(06-26-2023 02:52 PM)Gitanole Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 01:20 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 12:36 PM)random asian guy Wrote:  https://247sports.com/college/maryland/l...5/#2188964

”So at first, commissioner Delany, I don't think was interested. One of the reasons why [was] they had gone to Maryland years before that and Maryland said they had no interest. But then what happened is the ACC was able to bring Notre Dame in as a partial partner. That changed the landscape. That changed the thinking of the Big Ten. And so now it was [Big Ten] commissioner [John] Delany having a conversation, with me saying, 'Are you still interested?' I talked to the [university] president [Wallace Loh]. I got the Board of Trustees involved in it. And so we started to explore it."

So the ACC and Swofford challenged the B10 and it backfired? It’s also interesting that UMCP apporached the B10 first in 2012.

ON WHY THE BIG TEN WAS ATTRACTIVE
"The Big Ten was more attractive because it looked more like Maryland than any of the ACC schools. The other thing is that the football brand was being neglected and at that time, I mean, Clemson and Florida State, I think they were looking at a way out.

Did Clemson want to get out even in 2012. Hard to believe.

As I recall, both FSU and Clemson would have gone to the Big 12 had Maryland's replacement not been a football first school. UConn probably would have been added if it was not for their objections. So, Louisville was the most attractive candidate (WVU was locked up by a GoR in the Big 12 at the time).

Florida State wanted to improve revenues and keep exit costs down, but not for the B12. Same with Clemson. The B12 was not a solution to anything for these schools.

Several writers reported at the time that John Delany's courting of Maryland had a personal dimension. The Notre Dame agreement with the ACC embarrassed him and he wanted to bloody the league's nose. He had assumed the B1G had dibs on the Irish somehow—an assumption the Irish didn't share.

Jim Delany?

(06-26-2023 09:31 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 09:14 PM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 01:24 PM)SouthernConfBoy Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 01:20 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 12:36 PM)random asian guy Wrote:  https://247sports.com/college/maryland/l...5/#2188964

”So at first, commissioner Delany, I don't think was interested. One of the reasons why [was] they had gone to Maryland years before that and Maryland said they had no interest. But then what happened is the ACC was able to bring Notre Dame in as a partial partner. That changed the landscape. That changed the thinking of the Big Ten. And so now it was [Big Ten] commissioner [John] Delany having a conversation, with me saying, 'Are you still interested?' I talked to the [university] president [Wallace Loh]. I got the Board of Trustees involved in it. And so we started to explore it."

So the ACC and Swofford challenged the B10 and it backfired? It’s also interesting that UMCP apporached the B10 first in 2012.

ON WHY THE BIG TEN WAS ATTRACTIVE
"The Big Ten was more attractive because it looked more like Maryland than any of the ACC schools. The other thing is that the football brand was being neglected and at that time, I mean, Clemson and Florida State, I think they were looking at a way out.

Did Clemson want to get out even in 2012. Hard to believe.

As I recall, both FSU and Clemson would have gone to the Big 12 had Maryland's replacement not been a football first school. UConn probably would have been added if it was not for their objections. So, Louisville was the most attractive candidate (WVU was locked up by a GoR in the Big 12 at the time).

UConn NEVER had the needed votes. You think BC, GT, NC State, VT, and Miami was going to vote for UConn - that's folklore. It was about who could get votes from the block of UVa, WF, GT, Duke, and UNC. That was never going to be West Virginia who was not locked up by anything.

If not Louisville it would have been Cincy or Houston.

The bolded text is why is probably why Texas & Oklahoma didn't join the ACC, despite having a desire to do so and ESPN directing them there and why Clemson & FSU want to leave!! FSU & Clemson are wanting to file for divorce from Duke, UVa, UNC & WF. Even weirder, UNC now wants to divorce the ACC. No clue what that is about!!

Perhaps Phillips can get a change pushed through the ACC where votes are per state, not per school. FSU and Miami each get half a vote. GT and Clemson get a vote. Wake/Duke/UNC/NC State each get a quarter vote, and so on. That would fix a lot of issues.

(06-26-2023 09:14 PM)DawgNBama Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 01:24 PM)SouthernConfBoy Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 01:20 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 12:36 PM)random asian guy Wrote:  https://247sports.com/college/maryland/l...5/#2188964

”So at first, commissioner Delany, I don't think was interested. One of the reasons why [was] they had gone to Maryland years before that and Maryland said they had no interest. But then what happened is the ACC was able to bring Notre Dame in as a partial partner. That changed the landscape. That changed the thinking of the Big Ten. And so now it was [Big Ten] commissioner [John] Delany having a conversation, with me saying, 'Are you still interested?' I talked to the [university] president [Wallace Loh]. I got the Board of Trustees involved in it. And so we started to explore it."

So the ACC and Swofford challenged the B10 and it backfired? It’s also interesting that UMCP apporached the B10 first in 2012.

ON WHY THE BIG TEN WAS ATTRACTIVE
"The Big Ten was more attractive because it looked more like Maryland than any of the ACC schools. The other thing is that the football brand was being neglected and at that time, I mean, Clemson and Florida State, I think they were looking at a way out.

Did Clemson want to get out even in 2012. Hard to believe.

As I recall, both FSU and Clemson would have gone to the Big 12 had Maryland's replacement not been a football first school. UConn probably would have been added if it was not for their objections. So, Louisville was the most attractive candidate (WVU was locked up by a GoR in the Big 12 at the time).

UConn NEVER had the needed votes. You think BC, GT, NC State, VT, and Miami was going to vote for UConn - that's folklore. It was about who could get votes from the block of UVa, WF, GT, Duke, and UNC. That was never going to be West Virginia who was not locked up by anything.

If not Louisville it would have been Cincy or Houston.

The bolded text is why is probably why Texas & Oklahoma didn't join the ACC, despite having a desire to do so and ESPN directing them there and why Clemson & FSU want to leave!! FSU & Clemson are wanting to file for divorce from Duke, UVa, UNC & WF. Even weirder, UNC now wants to divorce the ACC. No clue what that is about!!

Oklahoma never had the votes to get into the ACC.
IIRC the original proposal was Texas, Texas A&M, Kansas and Missouri. Texas A&M was already making eyes at the SEC and dropped out. Texas wanted Oklahoma in A&M's spot. Duke put the kibosh on Oklahoma. Fini.

(06-26-2023 02:52 PM)Gitanole Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 01:20 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 12:36 PM)random asian guy Wrote:  https://247sports.com/college/maryland/l...5/#2188964

”So at first, commissioner Delany, I don't think was interested. One of the reasons why [was] they had gone to Maryland years before that and Maryland said they had no interest. But then what happened is the ACC was able to bring Notre Dame in as a partial partner. That changed the landscape. That changed the thinking of the Big Ten. And so now it was [Big Ten] commissioner [John] Delany having a conversation, with me saying, 'Are you still interested?' I talked to the [university] president [Wallace Loh]. I got the Board of Trustees involved in it. And so we started to explore it."

So the ACC and Swofford challenged the B10 and it backfired? It’s also interesting that UMCP apporached the B10 first in 2012.

ON WHY THE BIG TEN WAS ATTRACTIVE
"The Big Ten was more attractive because it looked more like Maryland than any of the ACC schools. The other thing is that the football brand was being neglected and at that time, I mean, Clemson and Florida State, I think they were looking at a way out.

Did Clemson want to get out even in 2012. Hard to believe.

As I recall, both FSU and Clemson would have gone to the Big 12 had Maryland's replacement not been a football first school. UConn probably would have been added if it was not for their objections. So, Louisville was the most attractive candidate (WVU was locked up by a GoR in the Big 12 at the time).

Florida State wanted to improve revenues and keep exit costs down, but not for the B12. Same with Clemson. The B12 was not a solution to anything for these schools.

Several writers reported at the time that John Delany's courting of Maryland had a personal dimension. The Notre Dame agreement with the ACC embarrassed him and he wanted to bloody the league's nose. He had assumed the B1G had dibs on the Irish somehow—an assumption the Irish didn't share.

In the 2010-12 time frame, Jim Delany was being lauded as "the smartest man in the room" regarding conference realignment.

(the ole "checkers v. 4 D chess" line was being used often)

It was predicted in many places that Delany "had ND checkmated" and that the Irish had no choice with the Big East falling apart but to join the Big Ten.

Then, all of the sudden, ND hit the "bail out" switch and agreed to the ACC deal.

Delany missed his White Whale again with a harpoon. He wasn't so smart after all.

Sure, I bet that rankled him.

(06-27-2023 09:53 AM)TerryD Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 02:52 PM)Gitanole Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 01:20 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 12:36 PM)random asian guy Wrote:  https://247sports.com/college/maryland/l...5/#2188964

”So at first, commissioner Delany, I don't think was interested. One of the reasons why [was] they had gone to Maryland years before that and Maryland said they had no interest. But then what happened is the ACC was able to bring Notre Dame in as a partial partner. That changed the landscape. That changed the thinking of the Big Ten. And so now it was [Big Ten] commissioner [John] Delany having a conversation, with me saying, 'Are you still interested?' I talked to the [university] president [Wallace Loh]. I got the Board of Trustees involved in it. And so we started to explore it."

So the ACC and Swofford challenged the B10 and it backfired? It’s also interesting that UMCP apporached the B10 first in 2012.

ON WHY THE BIG TEN WAS ATTRACTIVE
"The Big Ten was more attractive because it looked more like Maryland than any of the ACC schools. The other thing is that the football brand was being neglected and at that time, I mean, Clemson and Florida State, I think they were looking at a way out.

Did Clemson want to get out even in 2012. Hard to believe.

As I recall, both FSU and Clemson would have gone to the Big 12 had Maryland's replacement not been a football first school. UConn probably would have been added if it was not for their objections. So, Louisville was the most attractive candidate (WVU was locked up by a GoR in the Big 12 at the time).

Florida State wanted to improve revenues and keep exit costs down, but not for the B12. Same with Clemson. The B12 was not a solution to anything for these schools.

Several writers reported at the time that John Delany's courting of Maryland had a personal dimension. The Notre Dame agreement with the ACC embarrassed him and he wanted to bloody the league's nose. He had assumed the B1G had dibs on the Irish somehow—an assumption the Irish didn't share.

In the 2010-12 time frame, Jim Delany was being lauded as "the smartest man in the room" regarding conference realignment.

(the ole "checkers v. 4 D chess" line was being used often)

It was predicted in many places that Delany "had ND checkmated" and that the Irish had no choice with the Big East falling apart but to join the Big Ten.

Then, all of the sudden, ND hit the "bail out" switch and agreed to the ACC deal.

Delany missed his White Whale again with a harpoon. He wasn't so smart after all.

Sure, I bet that rankled him.

Delany comes across as a man who would burn down an entire neighborhood just to catch a fox...

(06-27-2023 02:04 PM)Hokie Mark Wrote:  

(06-27-2023 09:53 AM)TerryD Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 02:52 PM)Gitanole Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 01:20 PM)ChrisLords Wrote:  

(06-26-2023 12:36 PM)random asian guy Wrote:  https://247sports.com/college/maryland/l...5/#2188964

”So at first, commissioner Delany, I don't think was interested. One of the reasons why [was] they had gone to Maryland years before that and Maryland said they had no interest. But then what happened is the ACC was able to bring Notre Dame in as a partial partner. That changed the landscape. That changed the thinking of the Big Ten. And so now it was [Big Ten] commissioner [John] Delany having a conversation, with me saying, 'Are you still interested?' I talked to the [university] president [Wallace Loh]. I got the Board of Trustees involved in it. And so we started to explore it."

So the ACC and Swofford challenged the B10 and it backfired? It’s also interesting that UMCP apporached the B10 first in 2012.

ON WHY THE BIG TEN WAS ATTRACTIVE
"The Big Ten was more attractive because it looked more like Maryland than any of the ACC schools. The other thing is that the football brand was being neglected and at that time, I mean, Clemson and Florida State, I think they were looking at a way out.

Did Clemson want to get out even in 2012. Hard to believe.

As I recall, both FSU and Clemson would have gone to the Big 12 had Maryland's replacement not been a football first school. UConn probably would have been added if it was not for their objections. So, Louisville was the most attractive candidate (WVU was locked up by a GoR in the Big 12 at the time).

Florida State wanted to improve revenues and keep exit costs down, but not for the B12. Same with Clemson. The B12 was not a solution to anything for these schools.

Several writers reported at the time that John Delany's courting of Maryland had a personal dimension. The Notre Dame agreement with the ACC embarrassed him and he wanted to bloody the league's nose. He had assumed the B1G had dibs on the Irish somehow—an assumption the Irish didn't share.

In the 2010-12 time frame, Jim Delany was being lauded as "the smartest man in the room" regarding conference realignment.

(the ole "checkers v. 4 D chess" line was being used often)

It was predicted in many places that Delany "had ND checkmated" and that the Irish had no choice with the Big East falling apart but to join the Big Ten.

Then, all of the sudden, ND hit the "bail out" switch and agreed to the ACC deal.

Delany missed his White Whale again with a harpoon. He wasn't so smart after all.

Sure, I bet that rankled him.

Delany comes across as a man who would burn down an entire neighborhood just to catch a fox...

Sure, it's not his neighborhood.