From the article:

But the real reason might be a lesson in how geography is viewed from the ESPN offices in Bristol, Connecticut. And how to best maximize the ratings in Florida, which is home to three of the 20 largest television markets (Miami, Orlando, Tampa).

ESPN just inked a new 15-year, $3.6 billion television contract with the ACC, which currently has two schools in Florida (FSU, Miami). ESPN is also currently negotiating a new deal with the Big 12, which has no schools in Florida.

So if FSU were to move to the Big 12, it would give both conferences a foothold in the key state, and the Big 12 would likely gain more of a ratings boost than the ACC would lose.

Would Florida State be better off in the Big 12? Maybe. Would the Big 12 be better off with Florida State? Probably.

But in the end, the biggest winner would be ESPN.

http://www.businessinsider.com/is-espn-p...nce-2012-5

Worthless blog...doesn't even mention that FOX shares the Big 12 contract...so FOX would be the HUGE winner if FSU jumped ship because the ACC's value would be decimated (100% owned by ESPN till 2027!)

(05-19-2012 01:31 PM)KnightLight Wrote:  Worthless blog...doesn't even mention that FOX shares the Big 12 contract...so FOX would be the HUGE winner if FSU jumped ship because the ACC's value would be decimated (100% owned by ESPN till 2027!)

Don't think it really matters in the end to ESPN for the simple reason they would just shift the $$$$ from the ACC Contract to the Big XII and knowing them would probably save $$$$ in the process.

(05-19-2012 01:41 PM)Maize Wrote:  

(05-19-2012 01:31 PM)KnightLight Wrote:  Worthless blog...doesn't even mention that FOX shares the Big 12 contract...so FOX would be the HUGE winner if FSU jumped ship because the ACC's value would be decimated (100% owned by ESPN till 2027!)

Don't think it really matters in the end to ESPN for the simple reason they would just shift the $$$$ from the ACC Contract to the Big XII and knowing them would probably save $$$$ in the process.

ESPiN has there dirty fingers into everything, kinda like the mafia.

And what is ESPN going to offer the Big East who will also have 2 teams in Florida (Tampa & Orlando tv markets)?

It would be so sweet to see the ACC split up, or at least poached. But that could result in a disaster for the New Big East .... so I'm hoping FSU stays.

(05-19-2012 10:11 PM)UConn-SMU Wrote:  It would be so sweet to see the ACC split up, or at least poached. But that could result in a disaster for the New Big East .... so I'm hoping FSU stays.

Yep. Anybody who wishes ill on the ACC should be careful what they wish for.