So, who were the real winners and losers in Notre Dame’s
move to the ACC and how does this hinder further conference expansion?
Winner: Notre Dame
Notre Dame will always be the school touting their
independent football program, and, the fact that they can hold out until a
conference offers them what they want. Since when did a university like this
become so powerful, they could muscle a known conference into giving them what
they want? The ACC of course was desperate after their horrible TV contract and
rumors of ACC universities bailing to other conferences. The fact though, is
that Notre Dame will still be independent, receive money from their individual
contract with NBC, shared money between ACC universities, oh, and, their newly formed
contract with the ACC in the Orange Bowl.
Loser: ACC
John Swofford, Commissioner of the ACC, not only bent over
for Notre Dame, but also knows this marriage offers no advantage for the other
universities in the ACC. Along with a bad TV contract, Swofford really did it
in for the ACC. What kind of tension with the other universities will this
bring out of bending over for a university outside of your conference, and not
putting the same ambition to get Notre Dame, into getting your conference the
best TV contract? Although Notre Dame is in the ACC, and is required to play
five ACC universities per year in football, each university in the ACC will probably
only see Notre Dame once every three years. So, how does this benefit a
conference that is looking to make more money through its football program? Answer,
it does not. Yes, ACC may be able to re-work their TV contract for a little
more money, but it does not increase their revenue at tickets booths. Furthermore, what about Notre Dame’s independent contract
with NBC? Will other ACC schools be offered the same opportunity of Third Tier
Rights like Notre Dame? Absolutely not. Swofford only condones equal sharing. Therefore,
in the end, what is the upside for ACC. The answer, nothing.
Future Expansion:
With the recent addition of Notre Dame to the ACC, how does
this hinder future conference expansion? The answer, it does not. Yes, the ACC
added a $50 million dollar buyout, but that is nickels and dimes for
conferences like the SEC, Big 12 and Big 10. A $50 million dollar buyout sounds
big, but that is less than a quarter of what a big conference like the SEC, Big
12, and Big 10 take in every year. I also have a feeling FSU is still keeping
that door open for the Big 12. Adding Notre Dame does nothing for FSU at the
ticket booth, except a sellout crowd once every three years. In addition, how
do other universities feel knowing they will be sharing their TV revenue with a
university that is participating in all sports except football, which is the
moneymaker for all universities? Swofford thinks he has calmed the expansion
storm, but I feel a dark cloud may be brewing.
