This is also in line with what the Flugaur guy has been saying, what that Athlon Lassan guy predicted with his "bold predictions", and would put into context what was meant by the recent report from Brett McMurphy that the B1G and SEC are "not interested" in FSU or Clemson if the rest of the ACC stays intact, ie FSU only gets in WITH another school that makes the package more broadly appealing, and same for Clemson.
In that context, FSU and Clemson need a more academically prestigious research school to pull them into the B1G, similar to what happened with Oregon and Washington. I'm sure the B1G would like to grab UNC and UVA first, but both are pretty dug into the ACC both culturally and politically, so they might not bail until the writing is on the wall and their state counterparts secure landing spots. So FSU going with Miami, and Clemson with GT sounds like a pretty bold yet sensible prediction.
Fluguar is a guy working out of his mothers basement getting Twitter clicks as a hobby. He isn't a legit sports journalist like Josh Pate and has "0" actual inside contacts. He and his nemesis @Genetics56 are two adult men who lack something in their family lives.
Forget what YOU BELIEVE makes sense as a "sensible prediction" ... nobody outside of ESPN / Fox and the commissioners of the B10 / SEC know what is really being negotiated / pushed for. In the middle of this is the "ACC Conference" which is literally a political creation of the NC State Government and the State of NC is pushing for it to continue operating solely due to the "tourism value" to the State of NC ... specifically the Charlotte Metro Area where it is estimated to have a $500M per year economic impact due to all of the conference games in different sports that are held there (championships specifically) that fill hotels and restaurants.
Both the B10 and SEC are being extremely cautious at this time due to the risk of being sued by the ACC for Tortious Interference. Everybody is waiting for one of two things to happen:
1). For judges in Florida or SC to rule that the wording IN the ESPN media agreement clearly state that when a school leaves the ACC they
take their future media rights with them. Sure, there might be appeals, but if both courts rule the same, it is basically game over. Anybody
can leave with rights and pay the ACC exit fee ... which will be challenged (specifically since there is no media deal in place past the 26
season).
2). Feb 2, 2025 ... the date that ESPN has to choose to execute the option to extend (and even then their right to do so will be challenged).
If they decline, game over, no media deal = no GOR. If they offer a REVISED media deal .. that has to be approved by members. Some
have stated they believe if a new media deal is not unanimously approved those not in favor can leave.
If the media deal interpretation that Clemson / FSU are claiming IS correct, that schools leaving leave with their FUTURE media rights, then FSU and Clemson will give notice of leaving, and then they WILL BE contacted by both conferences with offers and will be able to make a decision based on specifics at that time. ESPN doesn't want FSU to end up in the B10. UNC / UVA, outside of NC politics, the SEC would grab both in a heartbeat if the coast is clear.
