(05-10-2022 02:32 PM)Stugray2 Wrote:  The operative word, unspoken, is "yet." That he had to quell the rumor of immediate departure tells you such thinking is much farther along than many realize.

But at the moment we are seeing views and opinions all over the map from various P5 coaches and administrators. And right now the NCAA is bending over backwards to let the P5 get their way, because the threat is real.

I firmly believe this will happen, but only after the next set of media contracts and after everyone has a couple years of dealing with NIL under their belt. The P5 still cannot agree on the CFP and they have various views on media -- I am in the camp of believing that ESPN has already peaked and they are about to enter an era of serious erosion from competition from far deeper pockets in the consolidating media, entertainment and tech industries. The money is about to get larger, and the incentive to dump the NCAA as an agency and directly contract their own playoffs and tournament is literally in the $Billions annually. Inertia, lack of current consensus (but building) and some uncertainty about the media direction (needs clarity) are what is in the way. But I think the clock is ticking, and I expect a move in about three years time.

Correct Stu! All of this Summer will be planning and finding consensus on the plan. They already know who they wish to have involved in the breakaway. And frankly why would Phillips be included? He's proven to be in line with Warren and an obstructionist. I find it interesting that Kliavkoff and Sankey are spending some time together, but then they do have some common ground on issues. The SEC already has direct relationships with ACC members and is on cordial terms with most Big 10 power football programs. This concept is not recent and has been talked behind the scenes in earnest for about 3 years among AD's down here.

The only thing holding up things is some kind of sense of how to govern conduct around NIL without violating the court ruling, and waiting on the Pay for Play ruling. I'm not sure we are even waiting on contracts. The one that truly matters is the Big 10's and should it include an expansion then Boom! Things will happen quickly from there. I see several triggers which could set it in motion and no real stop signs.