(05-29-2021 05:03 PM)random asian guy Wrote:  

(05-29-2021 03:40 PM)Wahoowa84 Wrote:  

(05-29-2021 08:35 AM)ken d Wrote:  

(05-21-2021 09:05 PM)nole Wrote:  *I do like the new commish. Sadly the failed leadership of the ACC tied his hands for about 15-20 years.

What kind of media deal would the ACC have gotten if Clemson and Florida State had refused to agree to that long term GoR and contract? And if they would only agree to a deal that was expiring this year, how does anyone know how much the league would command in the open market? Would they be more valuable today relative to the B1G and SEC? Somehow, I doubt it.

You need to separate the decisions of the GoR versus the media contract extension.

IMO, the GoR was essential for the ACC’s survival. The 2008 media contract had been financially disastrous, and the subsequent additions of Pitt/Cuse/partial-ND did help boost immediate payouts. Nevertheless, Maryland leaving exposed the lack of long-term consensus amongst the schools. Florida State (and other football schools) boosters started vetting the B12; Virginia (and possibly Georgia Tech) were rumored to be talking with the BIG; UNC (and possibly Duke) were initiating feelers to the SEC; and Notre Dame had no real investment in the future ACC. The GoR forced all 15 members to commit to a joint future. Creating a dedicated conference network required upfront investment that neither ESPN nor the schools would risk without the GoR. BIG schools needed the GoR to start their BTN; and the ACC does not have the SEC’s football prowess that ensured its viability.

On the other hand, extending the length of the T1 & 2 contracts appears to have been a short-sighted gamble that is hurting the current value of schools. The ACC exchanged an increase in immediate cash for ESPN’s long term commitment. Given the horrible starting point (the once adjusted 2008 contract) and subsequent growth in sports media rights, the contract now appears very one-sided in favor of ESPN. Without the extension, the ACC members would likely be earning less today. Yet they could renegotiate rights to get market rates...IMO, valuations would be much higher if the ACC media rights were not locked-in for the next 15 years.

Yes it doesn’t look like the currenct contract is very fair to the ACC.

My question is, if the contract expires soon, say 2025 like the Big 12, would there be a possibility of some of the ACC leaving for the SEC / the BIG? To me, Swofford and the ACC took an extremely conservative approach to make sure nobody leaves until 2036. And if the ACC gets a high profile school by some miracle, then it will have a chance to reopen the contract.

Here's a 4D chess move: ND joins as an ACC member in full .... for four years. This triggers a renegotiation of the contract. The ACC gets brought up to market price. ND, in turn, gets higher payouts along with everybody else in the ACC. ND effectively halts the realignment pressure on the ACC, thus stabilizing the landscape, and reassuring its ability to be an independent after four years. All non-FB sports at ND get exactly what they want: An ACC that is stable and they're full members of.

(05-29-2021 09:23 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  

(05-29-2021 05:03 PM)random asian guy Wrote:  

(05-29-2021 03:40 PM)Wahoowa84 Wrote:  

(05-29-2021 08:35 AM)ken d Wrote:  

(05-21-2021 09:05 PM)nole Wrote:  *I do like the new commish. Sadly the failed leadership of the ACC tied his hands for about 15-20 years.

What kind of media deal would the ACC have gotten if Clemson and Florida State had refused to agree to that long term GoR and contract? And if they would only agree to a deal that was expiring this year, how does anyone know how much the league would command in the open market? Would they be more valuable today relative to the B1G and SEC? Somehow, I doubt it.

You need to separate the decisions of the GoR versus the media contract extension.

IMO, the GoR was essential for the ACC’s survival. The 2008 media contract had been financially disastrous, and the subsequent additions of Pitt/Cuse/partial-ND did help boost immediate payouts. Nevertheless, Maryland leaving exposed the lack of long-term consensus amongst the schools. Florida State (and other football schools) boosters started vetting the B12; Virginia (and possibly Georgia Tech) were rumored to be talking with the BIG; UNC (and possibly Duke) were initiating feelers to the SEC; and Notre Dame had no real investment in the future ACC. The GoR forced all 15 members to commit to a joint future. Creating a dedicated conference network required upfront investment that neither ESPN nor the schools would risk without the GoR. BIG schools needed the GoR to start their BTN; and the ACC does not have the SEC’s football prowess that ensured its viability.

On the other hand, extending the length of the T1 & 2 contracts appears to have been a short-sighted gamble that is hurting the current value of schools. The ACC exchanged an increase in immediate cash for ESPN’s long term commitment. Given the horrible starting point (the once adjusted 2008 contract) and subsequent growth in sports media rights, the contract now appears very one-sided in favor of ESPN. Without the extension, the ACC members would likely be earning less today. Yet they could renegotiate rights to get market rates...IMO, valuations would be much higher if the ACC media rights were not locked-in for the next 15 years.

Yes it doesn’t look like the currenct contract is very fair to the ACC.

My question is, if the contract expires soon, say 2025 like the Big 12, would there be a possibility of some of the ACC leaving for the SEC / the BIG? To me, Swofford and the ACC took an extremely conservative approach to make sure nobody leaves until 2036. And if the ACC gets a high profile school by some miracle, then it will have a chance to reopen the contract.

Here's a 4D chess move: ND joins as an ACC member in full .... for four years. This triggers a renegotiation of the contract. The ACC gets brought up to market price. ND, in turn, gets higher payouts along with everybody else in the ACC. ND effectively halts the realignment pressure on the ACC, thus stabilizing the landscape, and reassuring its ability to be an independent after four years. All non-FB sports at ND get exactly what they want: An ACC that is stable and they're full members of.

ND is an ESPN white whale. ESPN is probably happy with ND being primarily a football independent, with an occasional year as a conference member. ESPN just wants media rights to the biggest games, such as last year’s ACC Championship Game between ND & Clemson. More importantly, ESPN needs access to some ND media rights in order to mitigate the potential market power of the BIG.

(05-30-2021 10:39 AM)Wahoowa84 Wrote:  

(05-29-2021 09:23 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  

(05-29-2021 05:03 PM)random asian guy Wrote:  

(05-29-2021 03:40 PM)Wahoowa84 Wrote:  

(05-29-2021 08:35 AM)ken d Wrote:  What kind of media deal would the ACC have gotten if Clemson and Florida State had refused to agree to that long term GoR and contract? And if they would only agree to a deal that was expiring this year, how does anyone know how much the league would command in the open market? Would they be more valuable today relative to the B1G and SEC? Somehow, I doubt it.

You need to separate the decisions of the GoR versus the media contract extension.

IMO, the GoR was essential for the ACC’s survival. The 2008 media contract had been financially disastrous, and the subsequent additions of Pitt/Cuse/partial-ND did help boost immediate payouts. Nevertheless, Maryland leaving exposed the lack of long-term consensus amongst the schools. Florida State (and other football schools) boosters started vetting the B12; Virginia (and possibly Georgia Tech) were rumored to be talking with the BIG; UNC (and possibly Duke) were initiating feelers to the SEC; and Notre Dame had no real investment in the future ACC. The GoR forced all 15 members to commit to a joint future. Creating a dedicated conference network required upfront investment that neither ESPN nor the schools would risk without the GoR. BIG schools needed the GoR to start their BTN; and the ACC does not have the SEC’s football prowess that ensured its viability.

On the other hand, extending the length of the T1 & 2 contracts appears to have been a short-sighted gamble that is hurting the current value of schools. The ACC exchanged an increase in immediate cash for ESPN’s long term commitment. Given the horrible starting point (the once adjusted 2008 contract) and subsequent growth in sports media rights, the contract now appears very one-sided in favor of ESPN. Without the extension, the ACC members would likely be earning less today. Yet they could renegotiate rights to get market rates...IMO, valuations would be much higher if the ACC media rights were not locked-in for the next 15 years.

Yes it doesn’t look like the currenct contract is very fair to the ACC.

My question is, if the contract expires soon, say 2025 like the Big 12, would there be a possibility of some of the ACC leaving for the SEC / the BIG? To me, Swofford and the ACC took an extremely conservative approach to make sure nobody leaves until 2036. And if the ACC gets a high profile school by some miracle, then it will have a chance to reopen the contract.

Here's a 4D chess move: ND joins as an ACC member in full .... for four years. This triggers a renegotiation of the contract. The ACC gets brought up to market price. ND, in turn, gets higher payouts along with everybody else in the ACC. ND effectively halts the realignment pressure on the ACC, thus stabilizing the landscape, and reassuring its ability to be an independent after four years. All non-FB sports at ND get exactly what they want: An ACC that is stable and they're full members of.

ND is an ESPN white whale. ESPN is probably happy with ND being primarily a football independent, with an occasional year as a conference member. ESPN just wants media rights to the biggest games, such as last year’s ACC Championship Game between ND & Clemson. More importantly, ESPN needs access to some ND media rights in order to mitigate the potential market power of the BIG.

It has always been about this which is why Delany wanted them so badly. Notre Dame is the back door into most of the major cities in the B1G footprint and the main deterrent to full maximization of B1G advertising leverage.

(05-30-2021 10:39 AM)Wahoowa84 Wrote:  

(05-29-2021 09:23 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  

(05-29-2021 05:03 PM)random asian guy Wrote:  

(05-29-2021 03:40 PM)Wahoowa84 Wrote:  

(05-29-2021 08:35 AM)ken d Wrote:  What kind of media deal would the ACC have gotten if Clemson and Florida State had refused to agree to that long term GoR and contract? And if they would only agree to a deal that was expiring this year, how does anyone know how much the league would command in the open market? Would they be more valuable today relative to the B1G and SEC? Somehow, I doubt it.

You need to separate the decisions of the GoR versus the media contract extension.

IMO, the GoR was essential for the ACC’s survival. The 2008 media contract had been financially disastrous, and the subsequent additions of Pitt/Cuse/partial-ND did help boost immediate payouts. Nevertheless, Maryland leaving exposed the lack of long-term consensus amongst the schools. Florida State (and other football schools) boosters started vetting the B12; Virginia (and possibly Georgia Tech) were rumored to be talking with the BIG; UNC (and possibly Duke) were initiating feelers to the SEC; and Notre Dame had no real investment in the future ACC. The GoR forced all 15 members to commit to a joint future. Creating a dedicated conference network required upfront investment that neither ESPN nor the schools would risk without the GoR. BIG schools needed the GoR to start their BTN; and the ACC does not have the SEC’s football prowess that ensured its viability.

On the other hand, extending the length of the T1 & 2 contracts appears to have been a short-sighted gamble that is hurting the current value of schools. The ACC exchanged an increase in immediate cash for ESPN’s long term commitment. Given the horrible starting point (the once adjusted 2008 contract) and subsequent growth in sports media rights, the contract now appears very one-sided in favor of ESPN. Without the extension, the ACC members would likely be earning less today. Yet they could renegotiate rights to get market rates...IMO, valuations would be much higher if the ACC media rights were not locked-in for the next 15 years.

Yes it doesn’t look like the currenct contract is very fair to the ACC.

My question is, if the contract expires soon, say 2025 like the Big 12, would there be a possibility of some of the ACC leaving for the SEC / the BIG? To me, Swofford and the ACC took an extremely conservative approach to make sure nobody leaves until 2036. And if the ACC gets a high profile school by some miracle, then it will have a chance to reopen the contract.

Here's a 4D chess move: ND joins as an ACC member in full .... for four years. This triggers a renegotiation of the contract. The ACC gets brought up to market price. ND, in turn, gets higher payouts along with everybody else in the ACC. ND effectively halts the realignment pressure on the ACC, thus stabilizing the landscape, and reassuring its ability to be an independent after four years. All non-FB sports at ND get exactly what they want: An ACC that is stable and they're full members of.

ND is an ESPN white whale. ESPN The ACC is probably happy with ND being primarily a football independent, with an occasional year as a conference member. ESPN just wants media rights to the biggest games, such as last year’s ACC Championship Game between ND & Clemson. More importantly, ESPN needs access to some ND media rights in order to mitigate the potential market power of the BIG.

(05-29-2021 09:23 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  Here's a 4D chess move: ND joins as an ACC member in full .... for four years. This triggers a renegotiation of the contract. The ACC gets brought up to market price. ND, in turn, gets higher payouts along with everybody else in the ACC. ND effectively halts the realignment pressure on the ACC, thus stabilizing the landscape, and reassuring its ability to be an independent after four years. All non-FB sports at ND get exactly what they want: An ACC that is stable and they're full members of.

Compromise:

Notre Dame stays an independent in football, keeps their approx 5 ACC games/year agreement.

Once the current NBC deal expires, Notre Dame's football rights move to the ACC/ESPN. All football media revenue is split 15 ways (since ND is involved for all ACC games, home and away, as well as all Notre Dame home games, the media revenue skyrockets). Notre Dame will continue to get access to the ACC's bowl agreements, including the Orange Bowl (if Notre Dame is ranked ahead of the ACC representative in the Orange Bowl in the final CFP standings, they go to the Orange Bowl instead). However, Notre Dame must share their bowl revenue with the rest of the conference (and they get a share of everyone else's).

Notre Dame gets to keep their independence but the ACC gets more of the benefits of the Fighting Irish and Notre Dame loses its preferential treatment. Last season, I believe Notre Dame and the ACC shared media revenue, including the NBC revenue. If the ACC ever got a chance at bargaining power vs. Notre Dame again like they did in 2020, this is what I would demand.

(05-30-2021 04:50 PM)schmolik Wrote:  

(05-29-2021 09:23 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  Here's a 4D chess move: ND joins as an ACC member in full .... for four years. This triggers a renegotiation of the contract. The ACC gets brought up to market price. ND, in turn, gets higher payouts along with everybody else in the ACC. ND effectively halts the realignment pressure on the ACC, thus stabilizing the landscape, and reassuring its ability to be an independent after four years. All non-FB sports at ND get exactly what they want: An ACC that is stable and they're full members of.

Compromise:

Notre Dame stays an independent in football, keeps their approx 5 ACC games/year agreement.

Once the current NBC deal expires, Notre Dame's football rights move to the ACC/ESPN. All football media revenue is split 15 ways (since ND is involved for all ACC games, home and away, as well as all Notre Dame home games, the media revenue skyrockets). Notre Dame will continue to get access to the ACC's bowl agreements, including the Orange Bowl (if Notre Dame is ranked ahead of the ACC representative in the Orange Bowl in the final CFP standings, they go to the Orange Bowl instead). However, Notre Dame must share their bowl revenue with the rest of the conference (and they get a share of everyone else's).

Notre Dame gets to keep their independence but the ACC gets more of the benefits of the Fighting Irish and Notre Dame loses its preferential treatment. Last season, I believe Notre Dame and the ACC shared media revenue, including the NBC revenue. If the ACC ever got a chance at bargaining power vs. Notre Dame again like they did in 2020, this is what I would demand.

You know, that might be a good solution.

WINNER, WINNER, CHICKEN DINNER!

(05-30-2021 04:50 PM)schmolik Wrote:  

(05-29-2021 09:23 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  Here's a 4D chess move: ND joins as an ACC member in full .... for four years. This triggers a renegotiation of the contract. The ACC gets brought up to market price. ND, in turn, gets higher payouts along with everybody else in the ACC. ND effectively halts the realignment pressure on the ACC, thus stabilizing the landscape, and reassuring its ability to be an independent after four years. All non-FB sports at ND get exactly what they want: An ACC that is stable and they're full members of.

Compromise:

Notre Dame stays an independent in football, keeps their approx 5 ACC games/year agreement.

Once the current NBC deal expires, Notre Dame's football rights move to the ACC/ESPN. All football media revenue is split 15 ways (since ND is involved for all ACC games, home and away, as well as all Notre Dame home games, the media revenue skyrockets). Notre Dame will continue to get access to the ACC's bowl agreements, including the Orange Bowl (if Notre Dame is ranked ahead of the ACC representative in the Orange Bowl in the final CFP standings, they go to the Orange Bowl instead). However, Notre Dame must share their bowl revenue with the rest of the conference (and they get a share of everyone else's).

Notre Dame gets to keep their independence but the ACC gets more of the benefits of the Fighting Irish and Notre Dame loses its preferential treatment. Last season, I believe Notre Dame and the ACC shared media revenue, including the NBC revenue. If the ACC ever got a chance at bargaining power vs. Notre Dame again like they did in 2020, this is what I would demand.

I like this idea. Maybe the best compromise idea I’ve ever seen.

I would suggest the following modification:

1. Reduce the number of the ACC games to four to sweeten the deal. ND may want to renew Michigan or Michigan state series.
2. For ND to go to the orange bowl, its final ranking should be higher than both of the ACC diviosional winners’ final rankings AND ND must win all of four ACC games.

(05-30-2021 04:50 PM)schmolik Wrote:  

(05-29-2021 09:23 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  Here's a 4D chess move: ND joins as an ACC member in full .... for four years. This triggers a renegotiation of the contract. The ACC gets brought up to market price. ND, in turn, gets higher payouts along with everybody else in the ACC. ND effectively halts the realignment pressure on the ACC, thus stabilizing the landscape, and reassuring its ability to be an independent after four years. All non-FB sports at ND get exactly what they want: An ACC that is stable and they're full members of.

Compromise:

Notre Dame stays an independent in football, keeps their approx 5 ACC games/year agreement.

Once the current NBC deal expires, Notre Dame's football rights move to the ACC/ESPN. All football media revenue is split 15 ways (since ND is involved for all ACC games, home and away, as well as all Notre Dame home games, the media revenue skyrockets). Notre Dame will continue to get access to the ACC's bowl agreements, including the Orange Bowl (if Notre Dame is ranked ahead of the ACC representative in the Orange Bowl in the final CFP standings, they go to the Orange Bowl instead). However, Notre Dame must share their bowl revenue with the rest of the conference (and they get a share of everyone else's).

Notre Dame gets to keep their independence but the ACC gets more of the benefits of the Fighting Irish and Notre Dame loses its preferential treatment. Last season, I believe Notre Dame and the ACC shared media revenue, including the NBC revenue. If the ACC ever got a chance at bargaining power vs. Notre Dame again like they did in 2020, this is what I would demand.

ND is likely to renew the NBC deal around 2023 or so.

That is what they have done since the original NBC deal in 1991.

(It has never put the contract out for bid)

It likes the OTA nature of NBC (so all ND fans coast/coast can view) and especially likes the dedicated time slots.

Would ESPN guarantee the 2:30 p.m. Saturday time slot for most ND home games ?

If so, and if it wants to outbid NBC, then maybe.

(My money is on an early NBC renewal)

(05-30-2021 10:26 PM)random asian guy Wrote:  

(05-30-2021 04:50 PM)schmolik Wrote:  

(05-29-2021 09:23 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  Here's a 4D chess move: ND joins as an ACC member in full .... for four years. This triggers a renegotiation of the contract. The ACC gets brought up to market price. ND, in turn, gets higher payouts along with everybody else in the ACC. ND effectively halts the realignment pressure on the ACC, thus stabilizing the landscape, and reassuring its ability to be an independent after four years. All non-FB sports at ND get exactly what they want: An ACC that is stable and they're full members of.

Compromise:

Notre Dame stays an independent in football, keeps their approx 5 ACC games/year agreement.

Once the current NBC deal expires, Notre Dame's football rights move to the ACC/ESPN. All football media revenue is split 15 ways (since ND is involved for all ACC games, home and away, as well as all Notre Dame home games, the media revenue skyrockets). Notre Dame will continue to get access to the ACC's bowl agreements, including the Orange Bowl (if Notre Dame is ranked ahead of the ACC representative in the Orange Bowl in the final CFP standings, they go to the Orange Bowl instead). However, Notre Dame must share their bowl revenue with the rest of the conference (and they get a share of everyone else's).

Notre Dame gets to keep their independence but the ACC gets more of the benefits of the Fighting Irish and Notre Dame loses its preferential treatment. Last season, I believe Notre Dame and the ACC shared media revenue, including the NBC revenue. If the ACC ever got a chance at bargaining power vs. Notre Dame again like they did in 2020, this is what I would demand.

I like this idea. Maybe the best compromise idea I’ve ever seen.

I would suggest the following modification:

1. Reduce the number of the ACC games to four to sweeten the deal. ND may want to renew Michigan or Michigan state series.
2. For ND to go to the orange bowl, its final ranking should be higher than both of the ACC diviosional winners’ final rankings AND ND must win all of four ACC games.

Well it would be really hard for Notre Dame to be ranked higher than this current version of Clemson these days. But if Clemson is in the Playoff, they shouldn't be included. In the 2019-20 season, Clemson wins the Atlantic, Virginia wins the Coastal. By your criteria, Notre Dame doesn't get to go to the Orange because they aren't ranked higher than Clemson. So are you saying Virginia goes to the Orange Bowl even though Notre Dame is ranked higher (Notre Dame #15, Virginia #24)? Had Clemson not made the Playoff, of course Clemson goes to the Orange Bowl and there's no argument. That's why I said "ACC representative", the ACC Champion has been Clemson the last six years and they made the Playoff the last six years.

(05-30-2021 10:47 PM)TerryD Wrote:  

(05-30-2021 04:50 PM)schmolik Wrote:  

(05-29-2021 09:23 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  Here's a 4D chess move: ND joins as an ACC member in full .... for four years. This triggers a renegotiation of the contract. The ACC gets brought up to market price. ND, in turn, gets higher payouts along with everybody else in the ACC. ND effectively halts the realignment pressure on the ACC, thus stabilizing the landscape, and reassuring its ability to be an independent after four years. All non-FB sports at ND get exactly what they want: An ACC that is stable and they're full members of.

Compromise:

Notre Dame stays an independent in football, keeps their approx 5 ACC games/year agreement.

Once the current NBC deal expires, Notre Dame's football rights move to the ACC/ESPN. All football media revenue is split 15 ways (since ND is involved for all ACC games, home and away, as well as all Notre Dame home games, the media revenue skyrockets). Notre Dame will continue to get access to the ACC's bowl agreements, including the Orange Bowl (if Notre Dame is ranked ahead of the ACC representative in the Orange Bowl in the final CFP standings, they go to the Orange Bowl instead). However, Notre Dame must share their bowl revenue with the rest of the conference (and they get a share of everyone else's).

Notre Dame gets to keep their independence but the ACC gets more of the benefits of the Fighting Irish and Notre Dame loses its preferential treatment. Last season, I believe Notre Dame and the ACC shared media revenue, including the NBC revenue. If the ACC ever got a chance at bargaining power vs. Notre Dame again like they did in 2020, this is what I would demand.

ND is likely to renew the NBC deal around 2023 or so.

That is what they have done since the original NBC deal in 1991.

(It has never put the contract out for bid)

It likes the OTA nature of NBC (so all ND fans coast/coast can view) and especially likes the dedicated time slots.

Would ESPN guarantee the 2:30 p.m. Saturday time slot for most ND home games ?

If so, and if it wants to outbid NBC, then maybe.

(My money is on an early NBC renewal)

Well of course my proposal benefits the ACC more than Notre Dame. If Notre Dame can get dedicated time slots for all of its games, even MAC/FCS games, why wouldn't they? If Notre Dame can keep all its home game TV revenue and bowl game revenue for themselves, why wouldn't they?

But if you're a full ACC member, you don't like that. If you're anyone in college football not named Notre Dame, you don't like that Notre Dame gets preferential treatment. Alabama will have one of its home games on ESPN+ this year and has to share its Playoff revenue with 13 other teams. They can appear on CBS a maximum of five times, most of the rest of their games will only be available on cable (Miami will be on ABC). Why is Notre Dame more special than Alabama, a team that destroyed them last year in the Playoff and is more popular than they are? If I had my way, Notre Dame would be like everyone else and I'll bet most full ACC member fans would agree with me.

h

(05-31-2021 07:17 AM)schmolik Wrote:  

(05-30-2021 10:47 PM)TerryD Wrote:  

(05-30-2021 04:50 PM)schmolik Wrote:  

(05-29-2021 09:23 PM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  Here's a 4D chess move: ND joins as an ACC member in full .... for four years. This triggers a renegotiation of the contract. The ACC gets brought up to market price. ND, in turn, gets higher payouts along with everybody else in the ACC. ND effectively halts the realignment pressure on the ACC, thus stabilizing the landscape, and reassuring its ability to be an independent after four years. All non-FB sports at ND get exactly what they want: An ACC that is stable and they're full members of.

Compromise:

Notre Dame stays an independent in football, keeps their approx 5 ACC games/year agreement.

Once the current NBC deal expires, Notre Dame's football rights move to the ACC/ESPN. All football media revenue is split 15 ways (since ND is involved for all ACC games, home and away, as well as all Notre Dame home games, the media revenue skyrockets). Notre Dame will continue to get access to the ACC's bowl agreements, including the Orange Bowl (if Notre Dame is ranked ahead of the ACC representative in the Orange Bowl in the final CFP standings, they go to the Orange Bowl instead). However, Notre Dame must share their bowl revenue with the rest of the conference (and they get a share of everyone else's).

Notre Dame gets to keep their independence but the ACC gets more of the benefits of the Fighting Irish and Notre Dame loses its preferential treatment. Last season, I believe Notre Dame and the ACC shared media revenue, including the NBC revenue. If the ACC ever got a chance at bargaining power vs. Notre Dame again like they did in 2020, this is what I would demand.

ND is likely to renew the NBC deal around 2023 or so.

That is what they have done since the original NBC deal in 1991.

(It has never put the contract out for bid)

It likes the OTA nature of NBC (so all ND fans coast/coast can view) and especially likes the dedicated time slots.

Would ESPN guarantee the 2:30 p.m. Saturday time slot for most ND home games ?

If so, and if it wants to outbid NBC, then maybe.

(My money is on an early NBC renewal)

Well of course my proposal benefits the ACC more than Notre Dame. If Notre Dame can get dedicated time slots for all of its games, even MAC/FCS games, why wouldn't they? If Notre Dame can keep all its home game TV revenue and bowl game revenue for themselves, why wouldn't they?

But if you're a full ACC member, you don't like that. If you're anyone in college football not named Notre Dame, you don't like that Notre Dame gets preferential treatment. Alabama will have one of its home games on ESPN+ this year and has to share its Playoff revenue with 13 other teams. They can appear on CBS a maximum of five times, most of the rest of their games will only be available on cable (Miami will be on ABC). Why is Notre Dame more special than Alabama, a team that destroyed them last year in the Playoff and is more popular than they are? If I had my way, Notre Dame would be like everyone else and I'll bet most full ACC member fans would agree with me.

Well, of course anything you post would be against ND's best interests. I fully expect that from you

But why in the hell would ND voluntarily agree to something that is less of a benefit to it than the status quo, pray tell?

If Jack Swarbrick did that, he would be rightfully fired in about ten minutes.

ND is not getting "special" treatment.

It is independent and has its own TV deal because it can, because it is able to do so in the capitalistic market, because a network thinks it is worth it.

That is America, isn't it? The free market and all? Happy Memorial Day !!

Why would ND voluntarily give that up? Nobody else would give up things that benefit it.

Do you really expect that to happen or are you just throwing out garbage due to personal bias?

Should Alabama voluntarily give up the SEC money and join CUSA? Should Clemson join the Sun Belt?

If I posted that, people would claim that I was posting nonsensical jibberish. They would be correct.

If Alabama doesn't like the SEC deal, it can go independent. That is its choice.

Again, free will and free market. Free choice. I don't begrudge Alabama or Ohio State for their TV deals. They should make as much as they can.

Every school operates in its own best self interest. ND believes its self interest is best served keeping football independent with its own TV contract.

(It doesn't care that you disagree or you don't like that)

Other schools think their own self interest is best served by placing football in a conference. That is the only difference.

If Penn State had the ability to be a football independent, could garner its own TV contract and thought it more beneficial, it would still be one.

If ND thought being in a football conference was in its best interests, it would be in one.

Then, you and I would be on opposite sides of this argument, so get off your sanctimonious high horse already.

History matters. That is how we have gotten here, after all. The Big Ten caused this whole ND independence thing in the first place.

Why do you only want ND to give up what it has built up and earned over decades?

ND fans don't care what you or what other fans think. Why should they? Do other fans have ND's best interests at heart?

If not, then why in the hell should ND care what they think?

This is business, not some feel good society.

I think Penn State ought to go independent and see if it can garner its own TV deal.

If I had my way, Penn State would be in the MAC (and I was born/raised in Pennsylvania).

If you are so concerned about the ACC, lobby the people in State College to leave the Big Ten and join the ACC.

That would benefit the ACC a lot. Why won't Penn State do that? Are they more "special" than Clemson?

Nobody expects Penn State to do something which costs it money or exposure or other benefits, but you want ND to do just that.

Look, I have despised Penn State football for over 50 years (there was no bigger whiner and hypocrite in football than Joe Paterno), but you don't see me on message boards bitching about its status and suggesting that it do something against its own interests.

ND and the ACC have contracts in place, negotiated at arms length by sophisticated parties with lawyers, accountants and TV advisors, etc.

Its a business deal, pure and simple.

All parties knew what the deal entailed. Full disclosure. Everyone signed off on the deal.

That deal is in place until 2037. Until then (or unless a P4 champs only playoff happens), ND will stay as is, thank you, your "feelings" to the contrary.

P.S. ND doesn't keep its bowl revenues. All ACC minor bowl monies (ND included) are shared.

P.P.S. ND has its own deal with the Orange Bowl. Its isn't that advantageous to ND, but nobody on the Irish side is bitching about this. There is no need to include ND in the ACC Orange Bowl deal.