There is one way we could raise the payouts to FSU, Miami, Clemson & NC right now. It wouldn’t be fair to the other 13 members but it may be better than other possible outcomes.

Add $12 million to the payouts to the top 4 football brands based on TV viewership, essentially adding greater value to the brand fund. How to pay for this? You could take it away from the bottom 4 teams or split the cost among the other 13 members. Teams 5-13 give 2 million & the rest comes from the bottom 4.

Top 4 add $12 million each= $48 million
Teams 5-13 gives up $2 million each= $18M
Teams 14-17 gives up $7.5 million each= $30M

It would keep the ACC together & even losing $7.5 million is better than dropping to the G level. Everyone has a chance to finish in the top 4 of the ratings, or top 13 for that matter.

I think the best way to go is to play a game of chicken with ESPN, I bet they flinch first.

(11-07-2026 03:30 PM)Garrettabc Wrote:  I think the best way to go is to play a game of chicken with ESPN, I bet they flinch first.

What do we have to bargain with? We’re under a binding contract.

(11-07-2026 03:45 PM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(11-07-2026 03:30 PM)Garrettabc Wrote:  I think the best way to go is to play a game of chicken with ESPN, I bet they flinch first.

What do we have to bargain with? We’re under a binding contract.

The threat of losing full ACCN carriage in South Carolina and Florida. USF or UCF will not command those rates.

(11-07-2026 04:13 PM)Garrettabc Wrote:  

(11-07-2026 03:45 PM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(11-07-2026 03:30 PM)Garrettabc Wrote:  I think the best way to go is to play a game of chicken with ESPN, I bet they flinch first.

What do we have to bargain with? We’re under a binding contract.

The threat of losing full ACCN carriage in South Carolina and Florida. USF or UCF will not command those rates.

I don’t think that will be enough. The SECN already has full rates in those states. They keep full rates in NC & Virginia in the ACCN &also add them to the SECN. This would minimize the loss. If you piss off the mouse to much then he might not help add states to the ACCN. (WV, enhance Texas, etc)

The way to play chicken with ESPN is to have a large group go form this 1 sport league for say 3 years, and get a 3 year TV deal with a non ESPN entity...then see if they want to come to the table at same time they go to the other conferences and pay up. If they would like to add new states for ACCN then fine, we'll cooperate after the new deal is signed....

(11-07-2026 05:29 PM)dgrace4cards Wrote:  The way to play chicken with ESPN is to have a large group go form this 1 sport league for say 3 years, and get a 3 year TV deal with a non ESPN entity...then see if they want to come to the table at same time they go to the other conferences and pay up. If they would like to add new states for ACCN then fine, we'll cooperate after the new deal is signed....

How many can afford or want to pay the $75+ million exit fee to play chicken with the mouse? It could pay off but it would be a risk. However, if you get a commitment from a provider then yes, you gain the advantage.

(11-07-2026 05:48 PM)Lenvillecards Wrote:  

(11-07-2026 05:29 PM)dgrace4cards Wrote:  The way to play chicken with ESPN is to have a large group go form this 1 sport league for say 3 years, and get a 3 year TV deal with a non ESPN entity...then see if they want to come to the table at same time they go to the other conferences and pay up. If they would like to add new states for ACCN then fine, we'll cooperate after the new deal is signed....

How many can afford or want to pay the $75+ million exit fee to play chicken with the mouse? It could pay off but it would be a risk. However, if you get a commitment from a provider then yes, you gain the advantage.

Yeah thats not an ideal situation to be in to try and create leverage....Some how those of us trying to still compete for playoff spots, need to find a way to make sizeable more amounts of revenue that ESPN won't be providing until 2037 as we currently sit....If they don't step up and help a partner, we will be forced to do something individually or collectively by 2030 at the latest....That sounds like to me a group working together to provide a product to a new tv company and possibly a PE firm. Our own AD said this week to Eric Crawford, that "the days of self sustaining college athletics may be over"....