ACC Question

[Topper]

So several ACC teams are unhappy with their media deal which lasts through 2036. I read that 8 votes are needed to dissolve the league. Assuming they get the 8 votes, what rights do the networks enjoy to hold them to the current media contracts? ESPN is not in good shape so why agree to pay Clemson SEC money when they are locked into the current deal?

[SMUguy]

I don't know the specifics, and I'm certainly not a lawyer, but I thought it was pretty rock-solid. I read it (in 2022, I think) in a story that was explaining why Clemson was not a threat to jump to the SEC.

[Dukie]

As far as I understand it the ACC docs are super secret and even the schools and their lawyers can only visit ACC HQ to view them but not take copies or pictures. I know this is true for the GOR and I think it might be for the intertwined media contract but about that part I’m less certain.

There’s no way 1-2 schools could break the GOR; it’s at least as strong as the one UT and OU couldn’t get out of. If a majority (which is 8, yes) wanted to break it I assume that’s possible but I’m not certain. But again, remember that requires all 8 to be confident they have a better bird in hand, and of all the ACC schools, you have to get very very far beyond sure things to find 8 who would need to be that confident. In rough order, Klempson, Miami, FSU, UNC? Probably. That’s four. Who are the next four who are so certain of their B1G/$EC tickets? Duke, Yooveeay, Georgia Tech … iffy. NC State? Louisville? Pitt? No. The rest aren’t worth mentioning.

There are not going to be 8 votes to break up.

[SMUFan]

There are not going to be 8 votes to break up.

Sure hope not. I assume the 64-team "super-conference" is coming, but hopefully it can be delayed as long as possible.