I sent this to a few members of the board last week (and, yes, I actually thumb-typed the whole thing on my iPhone)...
Imagine this is the testimony of the ACC Commissioner...
Son, we live in a world that has power conferences, and those power conferences have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? Blake James? I have a greater responsibility than you can fathom. You weep for Syracuse and you curse the ACC. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know---that Syracuse's death, while tragic, probably saved programs; and my existence, while grotesque and nepotistic to you, saves programs.
You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at alumni functions, you want me on that wall---you need me on that wall.
We use words like "exit fees", "breach", "grant of rights". We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending a lazy dying conference. You use them as a punchline.
I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a school that rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very contract that I negotiate and then questions the friends and relatives with whom I negotiate it.
I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you write a check for a half-billion and join the B1G. Either way, I don't give a **** what you think you're entitled to!