Quote:
Originally Posted by WVRed
The only thing with the ACC is the pending lawsuit by Maryland, which everybody is going to be keeping an eye on. If Maryland wins and is able to leave without paying the exit fee, everybody in the ACC will technically be "free agents". Florida State and Clemson are likely Big 12 bound if this happens, and I wouldn't be surprised if Virginia and NC State get courted by the Big 12 and SEC. One rumor has been Duke and UNC to the SEC as well.
If Cincinnati gets into the ACC, congrats, but its likely that the ACC will be the new Big East, while the current Big East is Conference USA.
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I doubt Maryland thinks they can absolve the exit fee entirely. But if they can reduce it by even half, it's much more enticing for the schools you mention to leave.
UC fans understand that the ACC is the latest version of the Big East and will be the least of the "Big 5". But there's a gulf in class between it and the Big East for television money and perceived competition level. They also have ownership of the Orange Bowl, which is an aspect not to be underestimated. Television money alone is worth an additional $100 million over the next ten years if UC can find their way into the ACC.
The UC Board of Trustees meet on Tuesday. I expect to hear something concrete regarding Nippert then.