I always hesitate to make blanket statements concerning realignment, because just about anything is possible. Whoever thought the Big 12 would lose 5 teams since 2011, or that the Pac 12 would cease to exist, or that the ACC would have two teams suing it with 12 years left on the GOR.
Sometimes though I’ll feel strongly about something concerning realignment, and I’ll tell you exactly why.
Back in May, I wrote about the ACC Network and what its role might be in realignment, with this to start.
The clearest indicator that I know a realignment observer doesn’t know what they are talking about is if they say the ACC Network doesn’t make money. Everything they say after that is totally disregarded as nonsense by me. Many people say it too, so you can eliminate them all as accurate sources of information.
Do you want another indicator that I know a realignment observer doesn’t know what they are talking about?
It is – if any point in the last 12 months, you said Clemson and Florida State might end up in the Big 12.
Say the ACC Network doesn’t make money or that Clemson and FSU could end up in the Big 12, and I know you are grasping at straws at best and at worst a trash account duping those that can’t think for themselves.
Look I have nothing against the Big 12, though oddly enough some of their more vocal presences on X, can’t seem to stop obsessing about the future of the ACC. I actually applaud the Big 12 for surviving through the loss of multiple programs and outmaneuvering the Pac 12 in the last year. Say what you will about ACC leadership, but the former Pac 12 leader George Kliavkoff is the worst commissioner in history.
That said Clemosn and FSU to the Big 12? It’s not happening… period.
Clemson and FSU are not suiring to get out of the ACC, to join a conference that makes less. Check this year’s tax returns.
There are no natural rivals in that league, the Olympic sports would have an instant downgrade, and travel would be even worse than it is now. The only sport that can hold water to the current ACC is men’s basketball. Their TV deal is impossibly behind the Big 10 and SEC, and add another $10 million gap to the CFP playoff gap. There is simply no rational reason to even consider this.
My Clemson season tickets would be sold moments after such an announcement if such nonsense came to pass. Believe me, I wouldn’t be the only one either.
Let me clear this is not a discussion of the Big 12 or ACC’s future or any other teams.
This is Clemson and FSU, and they aren’t even thinking about the Big 12.
They are in lawsuits with the ACC to find a way out either through a settlement, or a ruling to engage in discussion with the Big 10 or SEC. End of story – if you are putting this out there you just look ridiculous, and if you are buying into it, then I have some swamp land to sell you.
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