THINKtank: ACC Future…pt. 3

by TexCane

The ACC’s future remains in doubt.

Our THINKtank group, made up of passionate Hurricane alumni and fans, believes the conference must first get smaller to drive higher revenue shares.

In part two of our series, THINKtank dissolved the conference and reformed into a new smaller conference, the American Colligate Conference (ACC) with ten schools, including Miami, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Duke, NC State, Virginia Tech, Virginia, Louisville, Pitt and SMU.

In part three of our series, we examine a rapid expansion of the new conference to shore up the football flagships.

EXPANSION…

Our conference model needs two or three big football brands to satisfy ESPN’s media rights investment.

In addition to Miami, our THINKtank has identified two additional schools the new conference should target for final expansion. One will not be surprising. One will blow your mind.

At the top of the list is Penn State.

Why would Penn State leave the big money BigTen for a more risky situation with the new American Colligate Conference (ACC)?

The Nittany Lions were once a major eastern independent with a clear road to major bowls and the national championship. Since becoming a member of the BigTen, they have consistently had to settle for third fiddle behind Ohio State and Michigan. And now Oregon and USC has made the path to a national championship even harder for the folks in Happy Valley. Would Penn State consider joining a new conference with some financial incentive? It’s worth investigating.

The second target school is no surprise, Notre Dame.

The Irish have traditionally maintained their independence in football. Notre Dame is currently a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference in all sports except in football, where they remain independent. Their football team played for the national championship last season. Why would they give up their independence?

One word…MONEY!

Offer Notre Dame a substantial membership bonus ($50M) over a five year commitment to the conference. While the road to the national playoffs is growing more crowded, the new ACC would also offer a direct path to the CFP. Win the ACC and you are in! ESPN has even hinted at an extra incentive to keep FSU and Clemson in the fold. If unsuccessful, shift that money to Notre Dame.

If successful, the new American Colligate Conference (ACC) would ultimately include…

Notre Dame

Penn State

Miami

Georgia Tech

North Carolina

Duke

NC State

Virginia Tech

Virginia

Louisville

Pitt

SMU

BOTTOM LINE:

BIG BRANDS…Notre Dame, Penn State, Miami, Duke, North Carolina.

BIG MARKETS… Chicago, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Atlanta, Miami, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Louisville, Research Triangle

REGIONAL FOOTPRINT… East of the Mississippi

NEXT: In part four of our series, we follow the “Money Trail” of the new ACC.

GO CANES!