Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Football is Back: TV Deals and Conference Expansion

Well, it’s officially football season. I’m not sure when, or even why, the switch was flipped back on, but today just seemed right.  I think all this talk about new TV deals and Logan Thomas being highlighted on ESPN draft boards has gotten me all excited.  So, I am doing it, “It’s May 9th, 2012 and its FOOTBALL SEASON!!!”


Before I get into my thoughts on the TV deals.  Here are some fun videos:








Today the ACC announced that it accepted a new TV deal that is going to net each team about $17M/year.  To compare, this is currently the fifth best deal among NCAA conferences.  The ACC remains behind the SEC, BIG10, PAC12 and believe it or not, the almost dead BIG12.  And it’s not just a minor amount.   It is looking like both the SEC and PAC12 will have payouts of over $30M for each school, with the BIG10 not far behind. 

I don’t see why everyone in ACC country is so happy with this new deal! I mean West Virginia just bolted out of the Big LEast and landed in the Big12 after being spurned by that ACC.  But now, they will make more money than if they were in the ACC.  It seems that their “low academic” standards actually helped them out a little with this one. 

I have come to the conclusion that the ACC is this years “dead” league.  Last year it looked as if the BIG12 was on the verge of collapse, but this year it looks as if the tables have turned.  The ACC hasn’t added any depth to the league since adding VT.  But even that expansion was marred with the addition of Boston College and the under achieving U.  It is time for teams to recognize and start the bolting progress.  FSU and Clemson are being sought after by the BIG12 (and it seems that all the BIG12 folks think this new ACC deal might be the final straw) and VT would be a great fit in SEC. 

I know everyone thought that we were going to be stable for a few years, but that won’t happen until we get to four 16 team conferences.  It’s about the money, so why not take it when you get the chance.  For teams like FSU, Clemson and VT; it’s out there… they just need to go get it.