MEGA Conference Realignment and lawsuits Megathread: Stories, Tales, Lies, and Exaggerations

[caneingville]

FTR, I don’t think we are going to the SEC.

However, for all those that talk about SEC and culture fits…remember when Mizzou and A&M and Texas and Oklahoma felt so incredibly weird in the SEC?

How about Cal and Stanford in the ACC?

USC and UCLA in the Big 10?

I don’t rule anything out.

 

[Hurracanes]

Thread was started June 30, 2022. Which would have been too late to join in 2023.

So show us where anyone predicted, with certainty ("DEFINITELY", your words and capitalization, not mine) the years 2024, 2025, or 2026.

And I'll be honest, I thought we had a shot at 2025 and 2026, had there not been various intervening events and developments. On the other hand, I never said "2034 at the earliest" like some people did.

Oh, and who predicted that the Grant of Rights was ironclad and enforceable?

So if we were going to award a trophy to the person whose predictions were the MOST INCORRECT, I'm sure you would win.

I can confirm that Miami was very close to announcing its exit from the ACC in 2025 but ultimately couldn’t get it done. “I know that for a fact”, to quote our mutual friend who I’ll be attending the ND and Clemson games with.

When you’re dealing with media deals worth billions of dollars, government, conferences, schools, contracts, presidents, and countless moving parts, timelines are rarely certain or clear. Oregon and Washington certainly threw a monkey ranch, for example. If his big flex is that the timeline was off, then he’s being unrealistic about how these situations actually work.

Now that all of this is coming out and the end appears to be near, one thing he can’t deny is that Miami and other schools have been working behind the scenes for quite some time to get out of the ACC. This doesn’t just happen over night, @NorthernVirginiaCane

 

[TheOriginalCane]

I can confirm that Miami was very close to announcing its exit from the ACC in 2025 but ultimately couldn’t get it done. “I know that for a fact”, to quote our mutual friend who I’ll be attending the ND and Clemson games with.

When you’re dealing with media deals worth billions of dollars, government, conferences, schools, contracts, presidents, and countless moving parts, timelines are rarely certain or clear. Oregon and Washington certainly threw a monkey ranch, for example. If his big flex is that the timeline was off, then he’s being unrealistic about how these situations actually work.

Now that all of this is coming out and the end appears to be near, one thing he can’t deny is that Miami and other schools have been working behind the scenes for quite some time to get out of the ACC. This doesn’t just happen over night, @NorthernVirginiaCane

Agreed.

And I was very vocal, at that time, in saying that the WA/OR situation had created a permanent and tricky "new reality" when it comes to taking LESS money.

I just want the happy ending...PAUSE!

 

[5NC4]

No reason to listen to all of the gibberish.

Flugaur’s latest predictions based on everything he is hearing:

ND, Miami and Duke to the B1G
Clemson, FSU and UNC to SEC

1) ND will be forced to join B1G in the opinion of B1G folks due to ACC falling apart and the lack of quality opponents to play. B1G folks believe ND will have a rough time fulfilling a complete schedule of games if the ACC falls apart. Also, ND will be losing $ by staying independent after next TV contracts are negotiated.

2. SEC does not intend to let the B1G have both Miami and FSU. FSU 90% SEC/10% B1G according to things he has heard lately. Ron Desantis supporting Save Act has hurt FSU’s chances to B1G. Flugaur has been told that Desantis was a part of Save Act construction.

3. Duke is pushing hard for the B1G and they fit UNC role due to AAU, research, academics and basketball if they don’t get them

4. UVA looking to go where UNC goes. UNC prefers SEC but still a chance to B1G

5. SEC is sitting on a goldmine with TV programming and they want to expand

6. GT isn’t actively involved and is unlikely to either conference

7. Utah is working hard behind the scenes to get into the B1G

8. Flugaur hasn’t heard anything on Stanford or Cal lately

9. Clemson 70% SEC/30% B1G - % is up due to some conversation with B1G

10. B1G 10 and it’s teams want Miami and they need a SE footprint

11. B1G having meetings (including a recent meeting among B1G presidents) and accelerated talks on what schools, what number of schools to add and conversations with media companies in case the quick strike on expansion has to happen based on potential approval of Save Act in senate/congress.

12. Utah is behind Duke but in front of GT for B1G expansion.


Obviously this is Flugaur’s opinion.

I truthfully don’t understand the B1G not doing everything it can to keep FSU and Miami together for the rivalry even though adding one of them gets them state coverage. Plus FSU research and future addition to AAU looks good.

I don’t understand Clemson having a higher % to B1G than FSU when they are the most obvious SEC add outside of UNC and UVA. I believe Clemson doesn’t conduct the right type of research, nor do they appear to be a future addition to AAU. Some of us here don’t believe AAU and research is unimportant, but that is the very reason B1G ADs want Miami added, other than their TV ratings and adding the State of Florida.

I believe the SEC mindset about adding Miami is absolute lunacy because playing Miami in Miami with frequency would greatly improve their ability to recruit S FL over B1G teams, which is their primary reason that they want to keep Miami out of the SEC.

I don’t understand Utah being a better add to the B1G than GT because of adding Georgia as a State and adding the Atlanta TV market.

 

[Canesfan1993]

No reason to listen to all of the gibberish.

Flugaur’s latest predictions based on everything he is hearing:

ND, Miami and Duke to the B1G
Clemson, FSU and UNC to SEC

1) ND will be forced to join B1G in the opinion of B1G folks due to ACC falling apart and the lack of quality opponents to play. B1G folks believe ND will have a rough time fulfilling a complete schedule of games if the ACC falls apart. Also, ND will be losing $ by staying independent after next TV contracts are negotiated.

2. SEC does not intend to let the B1G have both Miami and FSU. FSU 90% SEC/10% B1G according to things he has heard lately. Ron Desantis supporting Save Act has hurt FSU’s chances to B1G. Flugaur has been told that Desantis was a part of Save Act construction.

3. Duke is pushing hard for the B1G and they fit UNC role due to AAU, research, academics and basketball if they don’t get them

4. UVA looking to go where UNC goes. UNC prefers SEC but still a chance to B1G

5. SEC is sitting on a goldmine with TV programming and they want to expand

6. GT isn’t actively involved and is unlikely to either conference

7. Utah is working hard behind the scenes to get into the B1G

8. Flugaur hasn’t heard anything on Stanford or Cal lately

9. Clemson 70% SEC/30% B1G - % is up due to some conversation with B1G

10. B1G 10 and it’s teams want Miami and they need a SE footprint

11. B1G having meetings (including a recent meeting among B1G presidents) and accelerated talks on what schools, what number of schools to add and conversations with media companies in case the quick strike on expansion has to happen based on potential approval of Save Act in senate/congress.

12. Utah is behind Duke but in front of GT for B1G expansion.


Obviously this is Flugaur’s opinion.

I truthfully don’t understand the B1G not doing everything it can to keep FSU and Miami together for the rivalry even though adding one of them gets them state coverage. Plus FSU research and future addition to AAU looks good.

I don’t understand Clemson having a higher % to B1G than FSU when they are the most obvious SEC add outside of UNC and UVA. I believe Clemson doesn’t conduct the right type of research, nor do they appear to be a future addition to AAU. Some of us here don’t believe AAU and research is unimportant, but that is the very reason B1G ADs want Miami added, other than their TV ratings and adding the State of Florida.

I believe the SEC mindset about adding Miami is absolute lunacy because playing Miami in Miami with frequency would greatly improve their ability to recruit S FL over B1G teams, which is their primary reason that they want to keep Miami out of the SEC.

I don’t understand Utah being a better add to the B1G than GT because of adding Georgia as a State and adding the Atlanta TV market.

I don't speak for flugar, but i think the FSU situation is less to do with FSU not being welcomed into the BIG10 and more to do with them having other options. SEC has prorata language in their contract while BIG10 does not which is why oregon and washington are at 50%. All these things depend and feed off one another and no ranking or decision is made in a vacuum. Again just my opinion based on people i am fortunate to have relationships with who have direct knowledge in this area.

 

[Calinative]

So on a thread about realignment developments, you thought it necessary to express nothing more than your personal feelings about UVa vs. VaTech, as if your feels were some kind of contribution to the thread.

Just haaaaad to do it, just haaaaaad to tpye a few words to tell us "VaTech >> UVa imo". So insightful. So necessary. You couldn't restrain your urge to ****porst.

Here, let me show you what a real facepalm reaction is all about.

….
Yes

 

[caneingville]

Agreed.

And I was very vocal, at that time, in saying that the WA/OR situation had created a permanent and tricky "new reality" when it comes to taking LESS money.

I just want the happy ending...PAUSE!

@AbellaDanger

 

[RVACane]

Thanks for replying. Let’s hope Mario has some say in this- which if he does- it may be very little. From a purely sports perspective- we should all be pulling for the SEC. They are the best collegiate athletic conference- and by quite a bit. They may not win everything- but their athletic pedigree is unmatched by the BIG. And who in the holy **** wants to be associated with all those pompous institutions- from a historical perspective- Miami fans of yesterday wouldn’t ever want to be associated with the BIG. It’s like wanting Notre Dame to be successful. But I get it- Miami has become somewhat soft and liberal over the years.

I don’t ordinarily like to get into this thread and I would prefer the Big 12 personally for athletics which isn’t happening but it’s the research cooperation and funding grants the school will bring in by being in the B1G. Assuming we are on a full share with the new tv deal, when it starts, the money into the school being in the B1G is much greater than the money coming into the school in the SEC because of the research grant funding. This isn’t a pure athletics decision as I know you know as you referenced it.

 

[5NC4]

I don't speak for flugar, but i think the FSU situation is less to do with FSU not being welcomed into the BIG10 and more to do with them having other options. SEC has prorata language in their contract while BIG10 does not which is why oregon and washington are at 50%. All these things depend and feed off one another and no ranking or decision is made in a vacuum. Again just my opinion based on people i am fortunate to have relationships with who have direct knowledge in this area.

Flugaur said the thing that hurt FSU to the B1G was Ron Desantis’ support for the Save Act. That was mentioned above. Plus the SEC wouldn’t like the idea of the B1G getting both FSU and Miami (also mentioned above). It does seem like FSU preferred the B1G based on building a hospital and the amount of research they do for the pursuit of achieving AAU status. Idk

 

[ICANEDOIT]

Personally, I much prefer the SEC, as I think the BIG10 is pretty lame outside a few teams. Recruiting would be even better in the SEC than it is now. But, I don't matter and neither does my opinion.

 

[RVACane]

The only problem with this argument is that Miami can’t count on staying on the top in the ACC. Miami can’t broker its future on staying on top in the ACC.

Miami is about to go on a run, but these runs don’t last forever. Miami’s runs have been sporadic and spread out over 3 decades…..possibly 4 decades as long as things go the way it appears they are going.

With that said, any time Miami is not at the top of the ACC they would be losing an incredible amount of $ that is insane to lose. Miami needs to get into a conference that keeps them at the top. Miami needs to get into a conference that doesn’t force them to depend on U Health and billionaires to stay competitive financially as well.

You seem like you have special interest in Miami staying in the ACC. You have wanted to stay in the ACC throughout this whole topic of conversation. It really makes me wonder if you are an employee of the ACC or not.

He’s not an ACC employee.

 

[RVACane]

Bruh…. Idgaf lol. Nobody is saying VTech will get the bid into SEC over UVA. I am saying I’d take them in over them. Honestly without question tbh

As someone who lived in Virginia for years, I would be very surprised if one went to the SEC without the other. The politicians wouldn’t allow it. And no doubt that the SEC would cherry pick UVA but the VT alumns and the legislature in general would not abandon one to the ACC if the other gets a bid to the SEC.

 

[RVACane]

You need to do some research. UVA is the "flagship university" for the state of Virginia. It is also much more exclusive and has a significantly more affluent and elite alumni base with significantly more ultra high net worth alums. If the SEC wants to move into Virginia ... they go with the "flagship" university for the state, and they bring elite basketball to the table, along with a host of olympic sports, and a football program that, while not being CFP contenders, can improve most likely with SEC affiliation. Va Tech would enter the equation if for some reason the SEC were going to take TWO Virginia schools.

They won’t get UVA without taking VT

 

[grover]

I no longer see how FSU is attractive to either P2. Maybe in 5-10 years when they've rebounded from the stadium and Norvell mistakes. But even then I'm not sure that alumni and booster base can keep up with the revenue and spending requirements of 2030s power conference football.

 

[atlCanesFan]

I do not see Clemson to B1G at all, for the following
1) Not a member of AAU, and no prospect on the horizon for that to happen.
2) Clemson does not have a medical school, another severe limitation for inclusion to the B1G.

 

[Canesfan1993]

Flugaur said the thing that hurt FSU to the B1G was Ron Desantis’ support for the Save Act. That was mentioned above. Plus the SEC wouldn’t like the idea of the B1G getting both FSU and Miami (also mentioned above). It does seem like FSU preferred the B1G based on building a hospital and the amount of research they do for the pursuit of achieving AAU status. Idk

I can confirm the DeSantis piece from my end too. That and his handling of the UF president search has not won the state government any friends in certain circles. Miami, fortunately, is a private school and insulated from the meddling and chaos of state politics. Should be interesting to see where things go in DC once the Senate returns on july 13th. I know they have already pushed back their normal august recess to provide more time for legislation debate.

 

[AuoraCane]

I think it’s pretty much a lock we are joining P2 (not sure when) but personally I think cfb would be better served by a P3 where we are the crown jewel of the conference. I
just hate being in a position where the P2 thinks it is doing us a favor and we owe our existence to them.

if you look at gross revenue last year:

B1G- 1.47 billion
Sec - 1.11 bilt
ACC - 826 million
Big 12- 710 million

Combined ACC/Big 12 would make 1.53 billion and be the highest revenue conference in America. Kind of hard to believe but it’s true- numbers show it could be a legit coast to coast conference and the highest grossing of them all.

Would have way more negotiating power with next playoff tv deal (2032?).

Yormark is a very savvy businessman. I am impressed how he brought back the Big12 from the brink of extinction. It’s probably going to be futile but I would not be surprised if he tries a Hail Mary merger with the ACC.

distributed over how many teams?

 

[TheOriginalCane]

@AbellaDanger

You know me so well!

 

[AuoraCane]

No reason to listen to all of the gibberish.

Flugaur’s latest predictions based on everything he is hearing:

ND, Miami and Duke to the B1G
Clemson, FSU and UNC to SEC

1) ND will be forced to join B1G in the opinion of B1G folks due to ACC falling apart and the lack of quality opponents to play. B1G folks believe ND will have a rough time fulfilling a complete schedule of games if the ACC falls apart. Also, ND will be losing $ by staying independent after next TV contracts are negotiated.

2. SEC does not intend to let the B1G have both Miami and FSU. FSU 90% SEC/10% B1G according to things he has heard lately. Ron Desantis supporting Save Act has hurt FSU’s chances to B1G. Flugaur has been told that Desantis was a part of Save Act construction.

3. Duke is pushing hard for the B1G and they fit UNC role due to AAU, research, academics and basketball if they don’t get them

4. UVA looking to go where UNC goes. UNC prefers SEC but still a chance to B1G

5. SEC is sitting on a goldmine with TV programming and they want to expand

6. GT isn’t actively involved and is unlikely to either conference

7. Utah is working hard behind the scenes to get into the B1G

8. Flugaur hasn’t heard anything on Stanford or Cal lately

9. Clemson 70% SEC/30% B1G - % is up due to some conversation with B1G

10. B1G 10 and it’s teams want Miami and they need a SE footprint

11. B1G having meetings (including a recent meeting among B1G presidents) and accelerated talks on what schools, what number of schools to add and conversations with media companies in case the quick strike on expansion has to happen based on potential approval of Save Act in senate/congress.

12. Utah is behind Duke but in front of GT for B1G expansion.


Obviously this is Flugaur’s opinion.

I truthfully don’t understand the B1G not doing everything it can to keep FSU and Miami together for the rivalry even though adding one of them gets them state coverage. Plus FSU research and future addition to AAU looks good.

I don’t understand Clemson having a higher % to B1G than FSU when they are the most obvious SEC add outside of UNC and UVA. I believe Clemson doesn’t conduct the right type of research, nor do they appear to be a future addition to AAU. Some of us here don’t believe AAU and research is unimportant, but that is the very reason B1G ADs want Miami added, other than their TV ratings and adding the State of Florida.

I believe the SEC mindset about adding Miami is absolute lunacy because playing Miami in Miami with frequency would greatly improve their ability to recruit S FL over B1G teams, which is their primary reason that they want to keep Miami out of the SEC.

I don’t understand Utah being a better add to the B1G than GT because of adding Georgia as a State and adding the Atlanta TV market.

Lol This guy really said that? Isn't DeSantis the Governor of the folks in Coral Gables? He didn't attend FSU. Wow on the BIG basing their preferences based on whether non-citizens can vote.

 

[TheOriginalCane]

Flugaur said the thing that hurt FSU to the B1G was Ron Desantis’ support for the Save Act. That was mentioned above. Plus the SEC wouldn’t like the idea of the B1G getting both FSU and Miami (also mentioned above). It does seem like FSU preferred the B1G based on building a hospital and the amount of research they do for the pursuit of achieving AAU status. Idk

Also:

1. F$U not yet an AAU member
2. F$U scared a lot of folks with the lawsuit, i.e., "will they be a reliable member"
3. F$U is juuuuust getting started with the hospital (just purchased within the past year)