It's common sense.. private equity would yet be another parasite draining programs of cash in the long run. Scary the amount of power and money these bad actors have/ potentially buying off conference commissions and key university personnel to gain access to public and private funds for profit. Right now there is more money than there ever has been in sports. You have lobbyists behind the scenes figuring out ways to line pockets of these wall street funds. This is really not about the fairness and paying players. Many will get nothing out of this through NIL .. it's only the blue chip ones getting the cash and sadly most will have nothing by the time they are few years removed from their playing careers...
@KevinSuggs-cy8xe - Agreed. And strange how there's more money than ever in collegiate sports yet there's constant pressure to generate yet more funds. The Money is there is just that so many are grossly overpaid and creating this crisis for yet more money. Adding another layer of parasites will only compound more financial difficulties to the smaller programs in particular
PE is a loan essentiailly. No one takes out a loan for the sake of taking out a loan. There must be a plan of action that all parties agree upon. If PE is a real option then some ACC teams must be involved. Expansion is the only reason to get involved with PE. No ones going to give a loan without the prospect of getting paid back with interest.
From those who I have talked to around the SEC, there is virtually no interest in adding Florida State, Clemson or Miami. They already have those states and they want to expand their territory. According to what I have been hearing, 4 schools are under consideration for being added to the SEC: UNC, Virginia, Kansas and West Virginia. The SEC wanted West Virginia back in 2012 but ESPN talked them out of it in order to get Missouri and the Kansas City market. The old guard of the SEC wants West Virginia.
Its irrelavent if the SEC wants unc or wvu or etc...the issue is: Will espn pay for those schools if added? Imo the answer is No. Espn has over paid for the SEC as it is with half of the SEC teams not being worth $60m a yr. Just ask yourself, If vandy was an independent, would espn pay $60m a yr to get them to join the SEC? NO. Now do that with all the teams in the SEC and bigten and you will see the problem. Currently unc and wvu are not worth $60m a yr. In fact, with the exception of ND, there isnt a single school left on the board worth $60m. The media companies are in charge and controlling these meetings and it simply does not matter what a conference wants or doesnt want. The issue is will espn/fox pay. Imo espn/fox want a merger between Big12 and ACC but dont have enough to pay for it, thats why PE is being considered.
@@INFAMOUSfrontRunn3r a) The SEC apparently has a pro rata clause for staggered +2s. ESPN would have no choice. b) The media companies cannot force an unwanted forever decision and can only possibly delay a wanted decision. c) There is no reason for a BIG12/ACC merger, even after an ACC depletion. This realignment is a contraction of the Tier 1 via consolidation.
To ThatCollegeFiotballGuy, Not sure who your sources are, but I have a very good source that disagrees with you on FSU/Miami. He believes one will be in, the other will not. He does agree with you about Kansas, Virginia, & Kansas.
Brother I think "across the river" is more metaphoric than literal. Everything realignment wise is in the air and youre right theres a lot of recent introductions/injections of financial sources. This is entirely fan sided. Think big picture. Think reductive and frustrating for a lot of teams. OF COURSE PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE INTERESTED IN PE. Sorry for the all caps but they are incentivized to pursue it. Because their lack of transparency benefits them in the PE world.
@@CouzsCornerSports appreciate you brother and as a Tech fan - nothing but love for WVU. Yall made the big 12 better years ago (still do) and hope we share it for years to come.
@caseym.516 - I would venture to guess an overwhelming number of the private equity /political interests come mainly from private schools such as the Ivy league , Notre Dame, USC and others such as SMU. The governor of Virginia is a huge donor / booster for SMU who attended the Penn State beat down I believe.
Interesting take... my guess ... at lease 10 of the current B12 programs want PE, and they under Yormark's leadership will use ACC defectors to leverage other hold outs. But i have not idea where/ how/ if ND fits into this puzzle, Definitely going to be a interesting off season
@tarheel7406 I'd guess UL, GT would be the 1st to break way -have to assume both will be at the PE meeting with B12 programs... taking shop... It's very similar to CU exit from PAC; No one wants to be left holding the bag. IF (big If) ACC falls apart.
@@cjon3006 a) I suspect that L'VILLE would be released on amicable terms It was added out of necessity rather than desire. That would not trigger a PAC like collapse. Nevertheless, L'VILLE was among the strongest supporters of CAL+2, so it also sees the BIG12 as the option of last resort. Those reports are now over a year old. b) I doubt GATECH would downgrade to the BIG12. That would put it even further below UGA. TECH would be included in the discussed contracted ACC.
🤗 I think it would be difficult for the ACC to disband. I don’t think PE is happening although I wouldn’t be opposed to it. I think everyone is staying put for at least a few more years. Who knows? Happy New Year Couz! 🎉!
I don't know if Notre Dame would vote to dissolve the ACC. They fought very hard to get Cal and Stanford into the ACC. I find it hard to believe that they would decide to abandon them and vote to dissolve the conference.
@@tarheel7406 Asked and answered. Notre Dame is calling the shots in the ACC without being a football member. This goes to show how PATHETIC UNC is. Now some FACTS that you fail to bring in every post! UNC is rated by CNBC as the 40th most valuable athletic department. That is big east level garbage. This story is now 3.5 years old and UNC still has no invite just RUMORS from gullible people.
@@CouzsCornerSports "Things can change. I’ve also heard many of the schools who voted to allow Calford and SMU in now regret it." What would have changed? I was floating the dissolution strategy over 3 years ago. The MAG7 was reported before CAL+2 were invited. The three weren't needed at that time unless heavy depletion was a credible threat (e.g. dissolution) or ND needed to more secured. A high enough new deal via a "look in" or just a voluntary renegotiation is more likely.
The biggest issue is media contracts. Is Disney, Fox, Warner Bros, NBCUniversal, or ParamountCBS going to want to redo existing agreements? That is a big ask. Couz, Stanford is an amazing academic institution. Just they do not bring the Bay Area market. And, no Berkeley doesn’t either. There is a reason they are in the ACC.
If the Super League doesn't happen, then this idea of schools from the Big 12 and the ACC splitting off to do private equity and creating their own conference would definitely be a possibility. But, as you said, there are a lot of moving parts.
@@tarheel7406 The merger would be to help the ACC with its pathetic ratings by increasing potentially favorable matchups. Since the ACC is the worst tv ratings conference, it needs all the help it can get. Still think UNC is getting a February 1 invite? Or will they have to wait until 2036 to cash in the faux illegal standing invite? Always comedy gold when you post.
To play devil’s advocate here, the last numbers I saw had the ACC with better tv ratings if my memory is accurate. That’s not good news for us in the Big 12.
@@CouzsCornerSports MJ is either slow and/or intellectually dishonest. Notice he only attacks me when you also say similar things. Anyway, viewership numbers always suffer the same problem, namely unreported games. I proved that the 2024 UNC number is way off, since it totals 5 games but divides by 12.
This is a very interesting perspective. I admit that my fear about private equity is what happens (when) a school defaults? Are they going to repossess the school? Is there another way to raise money like sponsorships so that schools can keep 100% of their equity?
If the ACC could get 10 schools to agree to break the grant of rights (let's say Florida St., Miami, North Carolina, NC State, Louisville, Clemson, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and Pitt) then those 10 could add WVU, UCF, Cincinnati, and maybe UConn and have a nice 14-team league that can compete in both football and basketball.
A suggestion for everyone: if you have multiple points you want to make about a video, leave multiple comments. It helps with the algorithm and it helps the channel.
Couz, thanks for the interesting information. I appreciate your thoughts on realignment. I do have a huge question. What the heck does so-called "private equity" have to do with any of this? No one, and especially not Greg Flugauer has ever answered this question. From this video, it sounds like you are saying that someone would borrow money from "private equity" for some unknown purpose and that someone would pay the loan back over time from increased revenue. Am I correct? If so, why is it so important to use the fancy schmancy term "private equity", when all you're really talking about is taking out a loan from an entity that's acting like a bank?
It’s more than a loan. The PE firm would likely have an ownership stake in the conference and a seat on the Board. They would also help create revenue streams.
From what I heard in podcasts, everyone is discussing it. (1) The real benefit that the PE firms brought to the NBA, NASCAR and other sports was their expertise on how to improve. Yormark appreciated that insight. College teams now want the same advice for their schools/conferences. That justifies part ownership but ownership costs money. (2) The money is for paying players and coaches/assistants among upgrading facilities over multiple years. Now that every school can pay players, Alabama and other schools that paid for high performers previously, need to pay more if they want 5-star players. The “arms race” has started and everyone is trying to keep up, which requires money. With NIL in play, players are considering how much they get paid. When you have 120 players just on the football team and all want the bag, that’s a lot of money. 😉 Example: Greg Flugar speculates Minnesota will pay less to their football players and more to their hockey players. So each school will need to prioritize where the money is spent. But if you had more money…. Or could pay your athletes more….
NBC Sports has intentionally kept 2 TV contracts: Notre Dame and another for the Big 10. Remember, ND is independent with zero conference exit fees. This means that the network (and USC and Michigan) doesn't want ND over in the Big Ten.
I disagree. The value of ND playing schools like OSU, Oregon, Michigan and etc. most years would eclipse that of playing ACC schools and several G5s each year.
@@CouzsCornerSports "ND is independent with zero conference exit fees." That statement is clearly inaccurate, and this story is now 3.5 years old. Moreover, ND clearly will sacrifice revenue to preserve some level of indy. I didn't reference any financial incentives for ND to leave. a) ND is quasi-indy in football. b) ND has a binding scheduling agreement with the ACC for football. c) ND is subject to exit fees and GOR for non-football. d) It's been generally reported that ND is subject to a "must join if" agreement. e) I maintain that ND had to provide some binding assurances to get CALFORD invited. Given all of that, the price for ND to leave would be rather steep. I will adjust my positions when commentors note things I didn't know, missed, etc. Most commentors don't do the same.
@@tarheel7406 Nope. ND can leave. Couz is right and you are cappin as always. Until you are able to acknowledge that the ACC is hot garbage, you will always be a triggered little man. Next, Baby Blue has worse ratings than Furd and the SEC has given ESPN no indications that they want them to cancel the ACC contract. UNC is ACC for life or the Big East circa 2036. UNC embarrassing the college football world goes back to 1980.
I may be in the minority here but I don't think that they would vote to dissolve the ACC. At least not until the new subdivision / Super League happens.
There will be no super league other than a separate Tier 1. The B1G/SEC have consolidated too many of the high value schools to throw some back into the bigger pond. An ACC dissolution and new contracted ACC would be to secure Tier 1 per team revenue "now" for a peer P3, though the new ACC would be smaller than the B1G and SEC. If this occurs, there may be an amicable Tier 1 realignment to even the members out and add some final +1s.
@@tarheel7406 Nope. The ACC has worse ratings than the big 12. The ACC added Lousiville and wishes they had BYU. Any February 1st UNC to the SEC invites to announce? That date is getting really close now. Do you think Texas and OU are pushing hard behind the scenes for the SEC to add 2 extremely dilutive schools like UNC/UVA? I'm going to predict no. Enjoy the BIG/SEC taking 4 automatic spots. Don't worry, you can still cap and say the ACC is a tier-1 et. seq. 🤣🤣🤣🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
Remember the BIG12 looked like the below when it negotiated its new media deal: WVU (small state low prestige flag) CINCY (G5) UCF (G5) BYU (special/unique P5 remainder equivalent) HOUSTON (G5) IOWAST (low population state #2) KSTATE (low population state #2) OKSTATE (low population state #2, solid overall sports) KANSAS (vanilla flag, blue basketball) TCU (G5 equivalent) BAYLOR (G5 equivalent) TXTECH (G5 equivalent)
@@JohnDry-d7z Reconcile known events. MIAMI got an unworthy AAU invite. MIAMI is not barking. MIAMI is voting along with ND on ACC matters (especially CAL+2). MIAMI was vetted by the B1G. Some have claimed that STANFORD rejected the B1G due to required membership in the BTAA. This actually reconciles with the delayed invite for WASH/ORE. I always stated that WASH was ~100% to the B1G eventually, but not ORE. There were additional changes of circumstances, but the B1G waiting out for STANFORD and then subbing in ORE does make sense.
I think the only way to save college sports is for the Big 12, ACC, and G5 to break away from the sec and b10 and form our own sports alliance with its own bowl games, tournaments, etc. We will never win the money race.
It would be difficult to break away completely. At the end of the day you still have these same bad actors in the wings constantly pushing for access to public/private funds with the media moguls joined to the hip which precipitated this crisis by carving up conferences and creating a a wider chasm of the haves and have nots.
@@JJG84679 I see separate Tier 1 and 2 as football only in the context. Given the revenue gap, Tier 2 schools will need to invest in football at a lower level to not starve the other programs still competing at a Tier 1 level.
@@JJG84679 Basically. "Tier 1" et. seq. are de facto terms I use for realignment discussions. A Tier 1 conference is one that is top-level peer in media value per member and peer in top-level athletic competition (not just football). Tier 2 is the next level down. The PAC wouldn't have scattered and the ACC wouldn't be under so much stress if Tier 1 revenue wasn't deemed a necessity to remain football competitive. Given those realities, there should be separate Tier 1 and 2 football playoffs.
~12:30 a) The SEC adding the 4 VA and NC teams puts it at 20 members not 18 (if that matters). b) If FSU, CLEMSON, MIAMI & L'VILLE go to the BIG12, that's only 8 total dissolution votes rather than the needed 10 c) If there's a heavy ACC depletion, MIAMI would be going B1G with ND I don't see any ACC member voting to dissolve to just go to the BIG12. In the long-term, the ACC would be better off releasing UVA/UNC and keeping everyone else, including the ND association. Borrowing money to finance the acquisition of near certain to depreciate FSU, etc. seems to be a big risk.
Both NC public schools (2), both public Virginia schools (2), ND & Stanford (2), and the four that go to the Big 12 would make 10. That’s enough to dissolve the conference.
@@CouzsCornerSports a) You're counting MIAMI twice. b) For simplicity, I'm treating private equity as a loan, especially since I doubt that public schools will sell an equity interest. I suppose a State could always buyback via eminent domain. Moreover, buying a portion of a non-for-profit seems a bit off as well.
IMHO ND needs to shit or get off the pot. They want to have their cake and eat it too. Remove their protected status and make them join a conference like everybody else. In spite of "Touchdown Jesus" They are not special and I do not understand why everyone caters to them.
For discussion, I'll assume it's now all good with FSU and propose an optimum contracted 10 member ACC: UVA VATECH UNC NCSTATE DUKE CLEMSON GATECH FSU MIAMI ND The strategy would be density/quality vs. quantity. 30% big basketball brands 40% big football brands 40% upper rights DUKE > than either NWEST or VANDY
So violate the media contract you signed with ESPN, dissolve the conference, and then who exactly will bid on new ACC rights? If ESPN even attempted to bid on that, it would look like collusion. That will not happen and the teams that attempt to break a GOR they WILLINGLY signed will be pariahs for the BIG/SEC- FOX/ESPN/CBS/NBC. No one is breaking the ACC GOR without massive consequences. Do you think the BIG/SEC wants schools that violate contracts and "bark" about dissolving conferences?
Again... It's clear to me that CLEMSON has allied with UNC for a coattail to the SEC when/if. If the SEC had not agreed to respect that arrangement, CLEMSON would most likely be acting differently. UVA has gone dark, so I can't analyze that as well. If UVA would accept an SEC invite, that only leaves a +1 for DUKE, VATECH, NCSTATE or KANSAS. If both NCSTATE and VATECH are hard packaged, I could see UNC, CLEMSON, NCSTATE & either DUKE or KANSAS. If only VATECH is hard packaged, the SEC may take the pair or wait it out to see if circumstances change. Too many "what ifs".
A"gain... It's clear to me that CLEMSON has allied with UNC for a coattail to the SEC when/if. If the SEC had not agreed to respect that arrangement, CLEMSON would most likely be acting differently. " Lol! So the SEC illegally agreed to take Clemson and UNC in a death pact while both schools are under the ACC NETWORK contract until at least 2036 per The NY Times? Again.... you cannot source any of this, it is just BS you make up in your head. UVA has not "gone dark", they refuse to violate the contract they signed running until 2036. Teams that challenge the GOR will find themselves outside of FOX/ESPN--BIG/SEC good graces as FSU and Clemson have found out. What if you actually sourced any of your BS? That would be nice.
@@MikeJohnson-cp5if Even Couz in this vid acknowledged that UVA/UNC are the top expansion targets from the ACC. Since you are a proven fraud and an obvious troll, won't bother with the rest of your nonsense.
@@tarheel7406 Triggered much? Any source for the LIE that Clemson has allied itself with UNC? Any "standing" UNC invite to document or source? Still waiting on that SEC invite come February 1st? Getting kind of close now huh?
Again... The dissolution strategy isn't a new concept. If this was something being considered, the assumed "no" votes from CAL+2 would have never been invited which increased the required votes from 8 to 10. Could be weird stuff but unlikely. Again... The purpose of an ACC contraction would be to close the revenue gap by increasing the average value per team rather than with private equity. A contracted ACC isn't going to just turn around and add dead weight from the BIG12. WVU, CINCY, etc. don't have the lift for the current ACC; they won't for a contracted. Again... One borrows to invest not to consume. Debt (Private Equity) may make sense for facility improvements, buying out any schools left behind from a contraction, buying the ACC name/assets, but it doesn't make sense to finance recurring expenditures for better coaches, players, etc. Flugar is relatively worthless on ACC matters.
And if it dissolves, it will no longer be the ACC; at least not as we know it. I tend to agree about adding the Big 12 schools, but I don’t think it will keep schools from trying.
@@CouzsCornerSports Predictions, etc. still have to reconcile with what we already know. I don't doubt that Flugar believes what he says. I question his standing on ACC matters and on some critical thinking. a) Again, why add CAL+2 if that makes dissolution harder? b) In my view, Flugar incorrectly transfers UNC's support for private equity for a new super league to a contracted ACC. The burden of private equity is completely different in those 2 situations. c) Flugar's sources didn't tell him about the obvious (to me) alliance between CLEMSON/UNC. His "sources" had CLEMSON/FSU as chalk to the B1G, which was nonsense per professional reporters, etc., and he had to hard reverse. d) Flugar completely failed to see the harm FSU's scorched earth was doing to its interests until much later and after it was confirmed by professionals. e) Even after dissolution, the ACC name, etc. would still exist as it does with the BIG8 and SWC. A contracted "ACC" will want to retain the value of the name, etc., which would likely require buying them from the remainders.
@@tarheel7406" Flugar's sources didn't tell him about the obvious (to me) alliance between CLEMSON/UNC. His "sources" had CLEMSON/FSU as chalk to the B1G, which was nonsense per professional reporters, etc., and he had to hard reverse" That is because your conspiracy theory that has the SEC violating the law only exists in your head. You are now attacking Flugaur because he doesn't subscribe to the unsourced nonsense in your head? UNC not being in the P2 is now 3.5 years old.
Private equity is dangerous. The people who run them want to make money. They will want to be paid first. The conference would make money second.
It's common sense.. private equity would yet be another parasite draining programs of cash in the long run. Scary the amount of power and money these bad actors have/ potentially buying off conference commissions and key university personnel to gain access to public and private funds for profit. Right now there is more money than there ever has been in sports. You have lobbyists behind the scenes figuring out ways to line pockets of these wall street funds. This is really not about the fairness and paying players. Many will get nothing out of this through NIL .. it's only the blue chip ones getting the cash and sadly most will have nothing by the time they are few years removed from their playing careers...
@KevinSuggs-cy8xe - Agreed. And strange how there's more money than ever in collegiate sports yet there's constant pressure to generate yet more funds. The Money is there is just that so many are grossly overpaid and creating this crisis for yet more money. Adding another layer of parasites will only compound more financial difficulties to the smaller programs in particular
PE is a loan essentiailly. No one takes out a loan for the sake of taking out a loan. There must be a plan of action that all parties agree upon. If PE is a real option then some ACC teams must be involved. Expansion is the only reason to get involved with PE. No ones going to give a loan without the prospect of getting paid back with interest.
From those who I have talked to around the SEC, there is virtually no interest in adding Florida State, Clemson or Miami. They already have those states and they want to expand their territory.
According to what I have been hearing, 4 schools are under consideration for being added to the SEC: UNC, Virginia, Kansas and West Virginia. The SEC wanted West Virginia back in 2012 but ESPN talked them out of it in order to get Missouri and the Kansas City market. The old guard of the SEC wants West Virginia.
Its irrelavent if the SEC wants unc or wvu or etc...the issue is: Will espn pay for those schools if added? Imo the answer is No.
Espn has over paid for the SEC as it is with half of the SEC teams not being worth $60m a yr. Just ask yourself, If vandy was an independent, would espn pay $60m a yr to get them to join the SEC? NO. Now do that with all the teams in the SEC and bigten and you will see the problem. Currently unc and wvu are not worth $60m a yr. In fact, with the exception of ND, there isnt a single school left on the board worth $60m.
The media companies are in charge and controlling these meetings and it simply does not matter what a conference wants or doesnt want. The issue is will espn/fox pay.
Imo espn/fox want a merger between Big12 and ACC but dont have enough to pay for it, thats why PE is being considered.
@@INFAMOUSfrontRunn3r
a) The SEC apparently has a pro rata clause for staggered +2s. ESPN would have no choice.
b) The media companies cannot force an unwanted forever decision and can only possibly delay a wanted decision.
c) There is no reason for a BIG12/ACC merger, even after an ACC depletion.
This realignment is a contraction of the Tier 1 via consolidation.
To ThatCollegeFiotballGuy,
Not sure who your sources are, but I have a very good source that disagrees with you on FSU/Miami. He believes one will be in, the other will not. He does agree with you about Kansas, Virginia, & Kansas.
Also, to ThatCollegeFootballGuy, from what I heard from my source, WVU isn't be looked at, although I personally think that is a shame.
@@sethholland8290 a magic 8ball is not a "source"
Brother I think "across the river" is more metaphoric than literal. Everything realignment wise is in the air and youre right theres a lot of recent introductions/injections of financial sources. This is entirely fan sided. Think big picture. Think reductive and frustrating for a lot of teams. OF COURSE PRIVATE SCHOOLS ARE INTERESTED IN PE. Sorry for the all caps but they are incentivized to pursue it. Because their lack of transparency benefits them in the PE world.
Great point about the private universities.
@@CouzsCornerSports appreciate you brother and as a Tech fan - nothing but love for WVU. Yall made the big 12 better years ago (still do) and hope we share it for years to come.
Same. I just hope the league can survive.
@caseym.516 - I would venture to guess an overwhelming number of the private equity /political interests come mainly from private schools such as the Ivy league , Notre Dame, USC and others such as SMU. The governor of Virginia is a huge donor / booster for SMU who attended the Penn State beat down I believe.
Bring back the Big East!!!
Interesting take...
my guess ... at lease 10 of the current B12 programs want PE, and they under Yormark's leadership will use ACC defectors to leverage other hold outs.
But i have not idea where/ how/ if ND fits into this puzzle,
Definitely going to be a interesting off season
FSU seems to be desperately walking back its barking to avoid being forced to move to the BIG12. What defectors?
@tarheel7406 I'd guess UL, GT would be the 1st to break way -have to assume both will be at the PE meeting with B12 programs... taking shop...
It's very similar to CU exit from PAC; No one wants to be left holding the bag. IF (big If) ACC falls apart.
@@cjon3006
a) I suspect that L'VILLE would be released on amicable terms It was added out of necessity rather than desire. That would not trigger a PAC like collapse. Nevertheless, L'VILLE was among the strongest supporters of CAL+2, so it also sees the BIG12 as the option of last resort. Those reports are now over a year old.
b) I doubt GATECH would downgrade to the BIG12. That would put it even further below UGA. TECH would be included in the discussed contracted ACC.
🤗 I think it would be difficult for the ACC to disband.
I don’t think PE is happening although I wouldn’t be opposed to it.
I think everyone is staying put for at least a few more years.
Who knows?
Happy New Year Couz! 🎉!
Happy New Year
I don't know if Notre Dame would vote to dissolve the ACC. They fought very hard to get Cal and Stanford into the ACC. I find it hard to believe that they would decide to abandon them and vote to dissolve the conference.
Also, why would have CAL+2 been invited if dissolution was a possible strategy?
@@tarheel7406 Asked and answered. Notre Dame is calling the shots in the ACC without being a football member. This goes to show how PATHETIC UNC is. Now some FACTS that you fail to bring in every post! UNC is rated by CNBC as the 40th most valuable athletic department. That is big east level garbage.
This story is now 3.5 years old and UNC still has no invite just RUMORS from gullible people.
That’s fair. I think they only do it if they see it’s a sinking ship and may take Stanford with them.
Things can change. I’ve also heard many of the schools who voted to allow Calford and SMU in now regret it.
@@CouzsCornerSports "Things can change. I’ve also heard many of the schools who voted to allow Calford and SMU in now regret it."
What would have changed? I was floating the dissolution strategy over 3 years ago. The MAG7 was reported before CAL+2 were invited. The three weren't needed at that time unless heavy depletion was a credible threat (e.g. dissolution) or ND needed to more secured. A high enough new deal via a "look in" or just a voluntary renegotiation is more likely.
F ND! If they want to be in the CFP, then make them join a conference as a “full participant” - not just football.
The biggest issue is media contracts. Is Disney, Fox, Warner Bros, NBCUniversal, or ParamountCBS going to want to redo existing agreements? That is a big ask.
Couz, Stanford is an amazing academic institution. Just they do not bring the Bay Area market. And, no Berkeley doesn’t either. There is a reason they are in the ACC.
If the Super League doesn't happen, then this idea of schools from the Big 12 and the ACC splitting off to do private equity and creating their own conference would definitely be a possibility. But, as you said, there are a lot of moving parts.
For what purpose some quasi-merger?
@@tarheel7406 The merger would be to help the ACC with its pathetic ratings by increasing potentially favorable matchups. Since the ACC is the worst tv ratings conference, it needs all the help it can get.
Still think UNC is getting a February 1 invite? Or will they have to wait until 2036 to cash in the faux illegal standing invite? Always comedy gold when you post.
Definitely.
To play devil’s advocate here, the last numbers I saw had the ACC with better tv ratings if my memory is accurate. That’s not good news for us in the Big 12.
@@CouzsCornerSports MJ is either slow and/or intellectually dishonest. Notice he only attacks me when you also say similar things. Anyway, viewership numbers always suffer the same problem, namely unreported games. I proved that the 2024 UNC number is way off, since it totals 5 games but divides by 12.
This is a very interesting perspective. I admit that my fear about private equity is what happens (when) a school defaults? Are they going to repossess the school? Is there another way to raise money like sponsorships so that schools can keep 100% of their equity?
The school and athletic department are two separate buckets of money. But your concerns are valid.
If the ACC could get 10 schools to agree to break the grant of rights (let's say Florida St., Miami, North Carolina, NC State, Louisville, Clemson, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and Pitt) then those 10 could add WVU, UCF, Cincinnati, and maybe UConn and have a nice 14-team league that can compete in both football and basketball.
A suggestion for everyone: if you have multiple points you want to make about a video, leave multiple comments. It helps with the algorithm and it helps the channel.
Thanks brother.
Ken Kendrick could literally buy WVU athletics.
Couz, thanks for the interesting information. I appreciate your thoughts on realignment.
I do have a huge question. What the heck does so-called "private equity" have to do with any of this? No one, and especially not Greg Flugauer has ever answered this question. From this video, it sounds like you are saying that someone would borrow money from "private equity" for some unknown purpose and that someone would pay the loan back over time from increased revenue. Am I correct? If so, why is it so important to use the fancy schmancy term "private equity", when all you're really talking about is taking out a loan from an entity that's acting like a bank?
It’s more than a loan. The PE firm would likely have an ownership stake in the conference and a seat on the Board. They would also help create revenue streams.
From what I heard in podcasts, everyone is discussing it.
(1) The real benefit that the PE firms brought to the NBA, NASCAR and other sports was their expertise on how to improve. Yormark appreciated that insight. College teams now want the same advice for their schools/conferences. That justifies part ownership but ownership costs money.
(2) The money is for paying players and coaches/assistants among upgrading facilities over multiple years.
Now that every school can pay players, Alabama and other schools that paid for high performers previously, need to pay more if they want 5-star players. The “arms race” has started and everyone is trying to keep up, which requires money.
With NIL in play, players are considering how much they get paid. When you have 120 players just on the football team and all want the bag, that’s a lot of money. 😉
Example: Greg Flugar speculates Minnesota will pay less to their football players and more to their hockey players. So each school will need to prioritize where the money is spent. But if you had more money…. Or could pay your athletes more….
Agree with you!
NBC Sports has intentionally kept 2 TV contracts: Notre Dame and another for the Big 10. Remember, ND is independent with zero conference exit fees. This means that the network (and USC and Michigan) doesn't want ND over in the Big Ten.
LOL... ND has a lot of financial barriers to leaving the ACC. Honestly, are you ever correct?
I disagree. The value of ND playing schools like OSU, Oregon, Michigan and etc. most years would eclipse that of playing ACC schools and several G5s each year.
Carla is simply giving opinions. No need to be disrespectful.
@@CouzsCornerSports "ND is independent with zero conference exit fees."
That statement is clearly inaccurate, and this story is now 3.5 years old. Moreover, ND clearly will sacrifice revenue to preserve some level of indy. I didn't reference any financial incentives for ND to leave.
a) ND is quasi-indy in football.
b) ND has a binding scheduling agreement with the ACC for football.
c) ND is subject to exit fees and GOR for non-football.
d) It's been generally reported that ND is subject to a "must join if" agreement.
e) I maintain that ND had to provide some binding assurances to get CALFORD invited.
Given all of that, the price for ND to leave would be rather steep.
I will adjust my positions when commentors note things I didn't know, missed, etc. Most commentors don't do the same.
@@tarheel7406 Nope. ND can leave. Couz is right and you are cappin as always. Until you are able to acknowledge that the ACC is hot garbage, you will always be a triggered little man. Next, Baby Blue has worse ratings than Furd and the SEC has given ESPN no indications that they want them to cancel the ACC contract. UNC is ACC for life or the Big East circa 2036.
UNC embarrassing the college football world goes back to 1980.
Why dont the Big 12 and ACC just combine?
@@Cyclone_Mike would lose a spot in the CFP
@CouzsCornerSports Start thier own league.
@@CouzsCornerSportslose a spot? Really?
Dilutive from the ACC' perspective in value, brand, synergies, etc.
Both con are trash not one top teir program among them.
what up Couz!
What’s up?
I may be in the minority here but I don't think that they would vote to dissolve the ACC. At least not until the new subdivision / Super League happens.
There will be no super league other than a separate Tier 1. The B1G/SEC have consolidated too many of the high value schools to throw some back into the bigger pond.
An ACC dissolution and new contracted ACC would be to secure Tier 1 per team revenue "now" for a peer P3, though the new ACC would be smaller than the B1G and SEC. If this occurs, there may be an amicable Tier 1 realignment to even the members out and add some final +1s.
Meh, giving up only 20 percent ownership of all revenue isn’t anything to worry about. The more the merrier in the Big12 and ACC.
Wait, wait. Both WVU and UVA and VATech all all on same side of Potomac, which ends before it gets close to Morgantown.
Not according to the map I saw, but I’m also not a geography expert.
I really wish we could go back in time and drop Cincinnati, UCF, and Houston . Then add the best of the ACCC and that would be a solid conference.
When the 8 BIG12 remainders added BYU+4, it had hit rock bottom. Why would any ACC member move to that BIG12, much less the top?
@@tarheel7406 Nope. The ACC has worse ratings than the big 12. The ACC added Lousiville and wishes they had BYU.
Any February 1st UNC to the SEC invites to announce? That date is getting really close now. Do you think Texas and OU are pushing hard behind the scenes for the SEC to add 2 extremely dilutive schools like UNC/UVA? I'm going to predict no.
Enjoy the BIG/SEC taking 4 automatic spots. Don't worry, you can still cap and say the ACC is a tier-1 et. seq. 🤣🤣🤣🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
Remember the BIG12 looked like the below when it negotiated its new media deal:
WVU (small state low prestige flag)
CINCY (G5)
UCF (G5)
BYU (special/unique P5 remainder equivalent)
HOUSTON (G5)
IOWAST (low population state #2)
KSTATE (low population state #2)
OKSTATE (low population state #2, solid overall sports)
KANSAS (vanilla flag, blue basketball)
TCU (G5 equivalent)
BAYLOR (G5 equivalent)
TXTECH (G5 equivalent)
I believe 10 schools will have homes in the P3.
Absent an ACC miracle, there will be no peer P3.
I hope BYU is in favor of PE!
Hmmm, me thinks that bowl record might have killed the little 12??
Couz I agree. Stanford would more than likely to be ND plus 1 in joining the B1G.
Thanks Bob.
As an Ohio State fan, NBC Sports doesn't want Notre Dame or Stanford over in the Big 10. NBC has kept 2 separate contracts for a reason.
The evidence suggests that MIAMI will be ND's named +1
I agree about ND/Stanford will probably be the 2 that go to the B1G.
@@JohnDry-d7z Reconcile known events. MIAMI got an unworthy AAU invite. MIAMI is not barking. MIAMI is voting along with ND on ACC matters (especially CAL+2). MIAMI was vetted by the B1G.
Some have claimed that STANFORD rejected the B1G due to required membership in the BTAA. This actually reconciles with the delayed invite for WASH/ORE. I always stated that WASH was ~100% to the B1G eventually, but not ORE. There were additional changes of circumstances, but the B1G waiting out for STANFORD and then subbing in ORE does make sense.
1 downfall of the ACC is all of the schools are in 1 time zone minus calford.
LOL... The BIG12 has already fallen.
If with UCincy “you get the state of Ohio,” could you add Temple, “get” the State of Pennsylvania? That was a wee bit of hyperbole, my brother.
lol.
FINALLY WIN 🏆 AT THE PHOG . BEAT KANSAS AND THE REFS . GREAT DAY 👍
Didn't a huge non call favor West Virginia? The ref excuse has largely been disproven. Congratulations on the win.
Absolutely
As a Texas Tech fan I don’t see why Tech should do private equity
They may not need it. They have plenty of money.
I think the only way to save college sports is for the Big 12, ACC, and G5 to break away from the sec and b10 and form our own sports alliance with its own bowl games, tournaments, etc. We will never win the money race.
Agreed, after the Tier 1 consolidation is complete.
It would be difficult to break away completely. At the end of the day you still have these same bad actors in the wings constantly pushing for access to public/private funds with the media moguls joined to the hip which precipitated this crisis by carving up conferences and creating a a wider chasm of the haves and have nots.
@@JJG84679 I see separate Tier 1 and 2 as football only in the context. Given the revenue gap, Tier 2 schools will need to invest in football at a lower level to not starve the other programs still competing at a Tier 1 level.
@tarheel7406 - If understand correctly you are suggesting another classification added to be sandwiched in between FBS and FCS?
@@JJG84679 Basically. "Tier 1" et. seq. are de facto terms I use for realignment discussions. A Tier 1 conference is one that is top-level peer in media value per member and peer in top-level athletic competition (not just football). Tier 2 is the next level down.
The PAC wouldn't have scattered and the ACC wouldn't be under so much stress if Tier 1 revenue wasn't deemed a necessity to remain football competitive. Given those realities, there should be separate Tier 1 and 2 football playoffs.
~12:30
a) The SEC adding the 4 VA and NC teams puts it at 20 members not 18 (if that matters).
b) If FSU, CLEMSON, MIAMI & L'VILLE go to the BIG12, that's only 8 total dissolution votes rather than the needed 10
c) If there's a heavy ACC depletion, MIAMI would be going B1G with ND
I don't see any ACC member voting to dissolve to just go to the BIG12. In the long-term, the ACC would be better off releasing UVA/UNC and keeping everyone else, including the ND association.
Borrowing money to finance the acquisition of near certain to depreciate FSU, etc. seems to be a big risk.
Both NC public schools (2), both public Virginia schools (2), ND & Stanford (2), and the four that go to the Big 12 would make 10. That’s enough to dissolve the conference.
And PE is not just borrowed money. You are an intelligent person so I know you realize that.
@@CouzsCornerSports
a) You're counting MIAMI twice.
b) For simplicity, I'm treating private equity as a loan, especially since I doubt that public schools will sell an equity interest. I suppose a State could always buyback via eminent domain. Moreover, buying a portion of a non-for-profit seems a bit off as well.
@ no, I’m not. I counted them as going to the Big 12. That’s it.
@@CouzsCornerSports ~12:50 You listed FSU, CLEMSON, MIAMI & L'VILLE to the BIG12
IMHO ND needs to shit or get off the pot. They want to have their cake and eat it too. Remove their protected status and make them join a conference like everybody else. In spite of "Touchdown Jesus" They are not special and I do not understand why everyone caters to them.
For discussion, I'll assume it's now all good with FSU and propose an optimum contracted 10 member ACC:
UVA
VATECH
UNC
NCSTATE
DUKE
CLEMSON
GATECH
FSU
MIAMI
ND
The strategy would be density/quality vs. quantity.
30% big basketball brands
40% big football brands
40% upper rights
DUKE > than either NWEST or VANDY
So violate the media contract you signed with ESPN, dissolve the conference, and then who exactly will bid on new ACC rights? If ESPN even attempted to bid on that, it would look like collusion. That will not happen and the teams that attempt to break a GOR they WILLINGLY signed will be pariahs for the BIG/SEC- FOX/ESPN/CBS/NBC. No one is breaking the ACC GOR without massive consequences. Do you think the BIG/SEC wants schools that violate contracts and "bark" about dissolving conferences?
😂😂😂😂TARHEEL YOU ARE ONE THICK HEADED WOMAN😂😂😂
@@INFAMOUSfrontRunn3r Nothing of substance again I see.
@@tarheel7406 If ESPN signs off on it I could see this happening. Don't know the payout number. I would assume close to the SEC?
@@tarheel7406 Another poster calling you out for being crazy huh?
Again... It's clear to me that CLEMSON has allied with UNC for a coattail to the SEC when/if. If the SEC had not agreed to respect that arrangement, CLEMSON would most likely be acting differently. UVA has gone dark, so I can't analyze that as well. If UVA would accept an SEC invite, that only leaves a +1 for DUKE, VATECH, NCSTATE or KANSAS.
If both NCSTATE and VATECH are hard packaged, I could see UNC, CLEMSON, NCSTATE & either DUKE or KANSAS. If only VATECH is hard packaged, the SEC may take the pair or wait it out to see if circumstances change.
Too many "what ifs".
A"gain... It's clear to me that CLEMSON has allied with UNC for a coattail to the SEC when/if. If the SEC had not agreed to respect that arrangement, CLEMSON would most likely be acting differently. "
Lol! So the SEC illegally agreed to take Clemson and UNC in a death pact while both schools are under the ACC NETWORK contract until at least 2036 per The NY Times? Again.... you cannot source any of this, it is just BS you make up in your head. UVA has not "gone dark", they refuse to violate the contract they signed running until 2036. Teams that challenge the GOR will find themselves outside of FOX/ESPN--BIG/SEC good graces as FSU and Clemson have found out.
What if you actually sourced any of your BS? That would be nice.
@@MikeJohnson-cp5if Even Couz in this vid acknowledged that UVA/UNC are the top expansion targets from the ACC. Since you are a proven fraud and an obvious troll, won't bother with the rest of your nonsense.
@@tarheel7406 Triggered much? Any source for the LIE that Clemson has allied itself with UNC?
Any "standing" UNC invite to document or source? Still waiting on that SEC invite come February 1st? Getting kind of close now huh?
Definitely a lot of what-ifs.
Again... The dissolution strategy isn't a new concept. If this was something being considered, the assumed "no" votes from CAL+2 would have never been invited which increased the required votes from 8 to 10. Could be weird stuff but unlikely.
Again... The purpose of an ACC contraction would be to close the revenue gap by increasing the average value per team rather than with private equity. A contracted ACC isn't going to just turn around and add dead weight from the BIG12. WVU, CINCY, etc. don't have the lift for the current ACC; they won't for a contracted.
Again... One borrows to invest not to consume. Debt (Private Equity) may make sense for facility improvements, buying out any schools left behind from a contraction, buying the ACC name/assets, but it doesn't make sense to finance recurring expenditures for better coaches, players, etc.
Flugar is relatively worthless on ACC matters.
He’s not making stuff up. He gets it from industry sources.
And if it dissolves, it will no longer be the ACC; at least not as we know it.
I tend to agree about adding the Big 12 schools, but I don’t think it will keep schools from trying.
@@CouzsCornerSports Predictions, etc. still have to reconcile with what we already know. I don't doubt that Flugar believes what he says. I question his standing on ACC matters and on some critical thinking.
a) Again, why add CAL+2 if that makes dissolution harder?
b) In my view, Flugar incorrectly transfers UNC's support for private equity for a new super league to a contracted ACC. The burden of private equity is completely different in those 2 situations.
c) Flugar's sources didn't tell him about the obvious (to me) alliance between CLEMSON/UNC. His "sources" had CLEMSON/FSU as chalk to the B1G, which was nonsense per professional reporters, etc., and he had to hard reverse.
d) Flugar completely failed to see the harm FSU's scorched earth was doing to its interests until much later and after it was confirmed by professionals.
e) Even after dissolution, the ACC name, etc. would still exist as it does with the BIG8 and SWC. A contracted "ACC" will want to retain the value of the name, etc., which would likely require buying them from the remainders.
@@tarheel7406" Flugar's sources didn't tell him about the obvious (to me) alliance between CLEMSON/UNC. His "sources" had CLEMSON/FSU as chalk to the B1G, which was nonsense per professional reporters, etc., and he had to hard reverse"
That is because your conspiracy theory that has the SEC violating the law only exists in your head. You are now attacking Flugaur because he doesn't subscribe to the unsourced nonsense in your head?
UNC not being in the P2 is now 3.5 years old.
Big 12 or acc need to pick up Oregon st Washington st and boise state
Boise State is a JV school…stay in the G5!
@markmartin3112 hell your clueless
@@markmartin3112 Didn't WV lose a game to a JV school recently?
Definitely not Boise.
@@JohnDry-d7z yea big 12 acc need to set their sights a little lower .need some more bottom tier garbage to make yourself feel better..