ACC asks NCAA to change Champ Game rule

I bet the Big East votes for it. They don't want the ACC raiding them again for #12.

The Big 12 has already said they will vote for it. They think having a championship game puts them at a competitive advantage. I think I read the SEC will vote for it too, for the same reason.

You've got to think the Pac 10 and Big 10 will love this too.

I think this will pass in a walk.

 

the thing about this is that abc gave the acc a very good tv contract and are now unsatisfied with the acc's football tv ratings. they most likely weren't gonna give the acc that kinda deal again unless the acc did something to get more viewers, that's one of the main reasons for expansion. the sec is the most watched conference in the country every saturday, or at least it claims to be, and when the time comes for conferences to re-up in 2005, the acc needed something to make themselves more attractive to tv networks.

all i'm saying is that just because the conference gives out 9.7 million to each school in 2003, doesn't necessarily mean that it'll be giving out 9.7 million every year from here on out.

as always, jmho

 

Excellent comment. Just remember what happened with the Southwest Conference. Everyone is always looking forward.

 

All very valid points. Also keep in mind that ABC/ESPN has taken a beating on the financial front lately. They are looking to lessen payouts if at all possible. From my understanding, the NBA deal has been a financial disaster, Disney (ABC/ESPN's parent Comapny) is bleeding ink and ESPN is looking more and more for equity partnerships as opposed to outright "rights" purchases.
That said, the market has leveled off in the last 3 years and the only way to increase a conference's rights fee revenues is more inventory, ie. expansion.

If expansion didn't take place and the current contracts remained valid, the payoffs for Basketball & non/revenue sports were guaranteed through 2011. The football deal would run out following '05. ABC/ESPN is the determining factor if the ACC is going to meet it's financial goals.