From Flo's show last night - "theoretical discussion" on realignment.
- Publicly Miami has taken the "we support the ACC" stance
-Privately, they are moving behind the scenes. He believes there is going to be more going public from other schools this week. (maybe the leak from the UNC BOT meeting is the start???) He also expects Miami to be more publicly vocal in the next several weeks - no specific timeline but that's the feeling. Sooner rather than later.
Flo says that everyone acknowledges the realignment of conferences is all about money. He says there are also some murmurs that the SEC & BIG10 and a few of the teams in each conference not receiving full shares may elect to part ways....
The SEC and BIG10 are not the only conferences looking to "poach" other teams and expand membership. Expanded membership = more revenue, specifically in the case of the Big 12.
Flo explores the scenario that Miami joins the Big 12 for a few years at a full share vs the BIG or SEC at less than full shares. In this scenario, other ACC schools would go with Miami as partners. Va Tech and Louisville were mentioned as two of those. What would this mean financially?
BIG10 at 50% share for 6 years, or Big 12 at 100% share for the same 6 years? If the BIG10 partial share is $40 mill and the BIG12 full share is $50-60 mill , is it worth the BIG10 affiliation to take less or take the bigger money ? Competition in BIG 12 is probably a wash to the ACC with the other schools who have already moved and some new additions who go with Miami.
Flo's assumption in all this is by the time the 6 years is up, the entire conference situation is likely blown up anyway.
He says he feels sure it will come down to the money - not what the perception will be or what the fan base likes - he also says he is comfortable with info he has from people who would know that Miami has a spot in a conference other than the Big 12. The decision will be about the money.
He doesn't know what the final decision will be but he is positive that the ACC is done.
These are some of the discussions that have been going on and are still going on....
ND has a lot to do with how this may play out. Being independent may not make sense for them in another couple of years....