(11-18-2021 11:17 AM)bluesox Wrote: Agree, I think the only way UNC and UVA leave the ACC is if the SEC creates an ACC division, ie jump to 24 with 8 ACC schools.
While I like that setup historically and see a lot of synergy in it, and I assume you are speaking of 2 Virginias, UNC/NCSt/Duke, Clemson, Ga Tech, and FSU, the corporate overlords would likely have it as other. They have the SEC covered already in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Their inclination would be to create a premier T1 conference and a highly competitive second conference in order to continue there hegemony over every thing South of Virginia, Kentucky, and Missouri.
The obstacle they have to a highly competitive 2nd conference is Duke, UNC and UVa's hold on the identity and objectives of the ACC. If a premier T1 conference is ever to be made from the SEC then basketball prowess needs to match that of football.
The solution is a synergistic exchange. Duke, North Carolina and Virginia join Kentucky and another in the SEC. I'm thinking ESPN darling Kansas.
ESPN now balances the football setup's top heavy branding and creates premium value by having Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Duke, North Carolina, and Virginia together.
When the NCAA no longer has control over hoops distributions brand vs brand in hoops will be a massive content multiplier. Early Texas influence has a bent in this direction. They like the enhanced associations and ESPN likes them too.
Then by keeping Clemson, F.S.U., N.C. St, Va Tech, and Ga Tech in the ACC, and keeping ND's partial membership ESPN has a the gravitas to build a more valuable football rival out of the ACC.
Sometimes in order to increase yield you have to remove a few stumps. When there's a viable market for stumps elsewhere it's a win win.