“What IF… breakaway?”

Q: What options does the ACC have?

One option is for the ACC membership to vote to dissolve the conference. Smaller could be better. It takes a majority vote (10 or more of the 18 members).

ljm623
8 hours ago
3 min read

For years, there have been questions and rumors about the future viability of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

On the field, the ACC is considered, by most, an inferior conference, despite recent evidence of progress on the field against the SEC and Big Ten.

In-fighting has caused division. Seven school bonded together to express their displeasure over the conference’s media rights agreement and exit fees. Two schools have even sued the conference. It’s expected Florida State and Clemson will leave the conference as soon as they can afford the exit fees in 2031.

Others may follow.

Weathering the storms...

Can the ACC survive these storms? By 2030, negotiations will begin the next round of conference media rights agreements. Before then, conferences will be positioning for the best deals and the ACC exit fees will be down to a relatively affordable level. It's expected both FSU and Clemson will seriously consider withdrawing from the conference, signaling the beginning of the end for the ACC.

What options does the ACC have? One option is for the ACC membership to vote to dissolve the conference. Smaller could be better. It takes a majority vote (10 or more of the 18 members).

What IF?

I was talking recently with a friend, discussing this option We agreed the conference is in trouble. We agreed that if nothing is done by the end of this decade to change the ACC’s trajectory, we expect the ACC will be history... toast.

We decided to play the “What IF…” game.

My friend, AZ Nole (yes, a Noles’ fan) and I decided to conduct a mock draft for a new breakaway conference consisting of twelve schools (12) from the ashes of the ACC and other possible conferences. We agreed to be as realistic as possible with a restriction of no school from the SEC and B1G offered membership in our new conference. Not financially realistic for those schools.

Our GOAL:

Our goal is to form a realistic twelve-school conference of competitive programs in football and basketball, located in top television markets in the eastern half of the United States. We want to bring the game back to our fans...regionalization returns!

The SCHEDULING:

Our new conference will play an eleven-game (11) conference schedule, plus one out-of-conference game for each school. That’s right, eleven games, restoring the value of the regular season, while protecting old rivalries and eliminating FCS “cupcakes” games.

The METHODOLOGY:

We decided to start with two schools we already know and want, Miami and Florida State. We will alternate the selections after those key schools.

AZ Nole won the toss and will draft the next school and give his rationale.

Miami :

Miami brings a major national brand in football and a competitive basketball program that is trending upward. The U has won five national football championships and sits in the talent-rich recruiting state of Florida, particularly south Florida. Miami is the #18 U.S. television market, with viewership numbers among the best in the country.

Florida State:

Florida State brings a national brand in football. FSU resides in or near the talent-rich recruiting states of Florida and Georgia. Florida State’s viewership numbers are consistently among the best in the country.

3. Clemson:

With the third pick, AZNole selects Clemson.

“The Tigers bring a recognized national brand and a long history of athletic excellence, including a decade of 10+ win seasons and 3 national football championships. Clemson has demonstrated excellent network viewership which increases conference media value. Finally, Clemson sits in the middle of a talent-rich recruiting region (SC, GA, FL, NC).

4. Notre Dame:

With the fourth pick, TexCane selects Notre Dame.

“The Fighting Irish are one of college football's most prestigious and successful programs. It has won 22 national championships. They bring both national and international fan bases, driving consistent top viewership numbers. The Irish resided adjacent to the Indianapolis and Chicago television markets. It would be well worth the cost of getting the Irish to give up their independence.”

Conference Membership: (alphabetical to date)