(05-15-2017 03:31 PM)CardFan1 Wrote:  

(05-15-2017 10:50 AM)Wedge Wrote:  

(05-15-2017 10:21 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(05-15-2017 09:25 AM)mj4life Wrote:  The only scenario I see which forces ND to join is the lack of access to the playoff. If being a conference champion is the only way to access the playoff then it becomes more likely but I doubt the SEC or B1G would support the champions only model. ND in theory could assign it's tv rights to the ACC/ESPN package. Sure they would lose the exclusive nature of their NBC deal but that could be in exchange for a digital ND channel which is possible with the ACCN digital platform

Well for a timeline if the Big 12 goes away in about 5-7 years you might wind up with a champs only de facto. I wouldn't be surprised if the dissolution of the Big 12 was the catalyst for N.D. going all in. The champs only model is natural and almost irrepressible at that point. And, perhaps more importantly, N.D. would have no more cards to play with regards to vulnerable conferences in need of a prop. The PAC, SEC and Big 10 would be a no to special perks, and the ACC would no longer have a reason to extend them. So while I don't find it that impractical to think they might throw in at the time of the ACCN's debut, they certainly will soberly be facing that situation by 2025.

As to Cincinnati, it is the home of N.D.'s recruiting base in Ohio (Moeller High School) and should ESPN retreat further from the overpriced Big 10 package having a backdoor into Ohio advertising might be something they would like.

With Missouri, possibly Kansas at that time, and having schools in Indiana and Pennsylvania and Ohio ESPN will have access to the larger underbelly of the Big 10's markets without having to pay both the Big 10 and ACC for them. It's the kind of market triage that makes sense. So what if you can't reach Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and Nebraska. You'll still get part Michigan with N.D. and you get into Chicago with them and New York.

IMO the Big 10 really wanted N.D. for two reasons. 1. They are a huge brand with a big draw within their footprint. 2. N.D. would keep their big draw within the Big 10 footprint even if they were to join another conference. N.D. was both an offensive prize for the Big 10 and a defensive play to hold a clamp on access to their markets.

Right, Notre Dame broadens the ACC's market reach quite a bit.

ESPN is smart enough to let ND decide on its own whether to join the ACC in football, but if ND ever does get to the point where they're seriously considering it, ESPN will put enough money on the table to make it very attractive.

You also wonder how long NBC will hold on with College Football and with 1 main school. ACCN, SECN,BTN could be drawing huge numbers in say 3-5 years. If Big 12 folds 4 champions could take 4 spots every year, then what. Play an 8 game ACC schedule and still have room for other top opponents every year.

Well, past history is no guarantee of future performance, but NBC has continiously renewed the ND deal every five years from 1991 through 2015.

For the renewal of the 2010-15 ND deal, NBC renewed it for ten years, not five, and signed a separate deal to televise all ND home hockey games on NBC.

NBC has its sunk costs already paid for. They don't move equipment around to games.

All of their equipment is in one set location, Notre Dame Stadium.

NBC makes money on the ND deal, is not afraid of "cord cutting" as an OTA network and has ND as one if its few sports properties.

I don't think that ND is in any danger at all of losing the NBC contract.