What is the chance ND is helping ACC use FOX/BIG to shakedown ESPN?
ACC with a motivated ESPN that is willing to do things to keep the ACC alive (similar to LHN with Big 12 in 2010) is a risk to Big 12 imo.
In reading the ACC forums, many are wanting to add PAC schools and 1-2 Big 12 schools, often Houston, Cincinnati, and KU. Some Baylor talk. Whether this is indicative of leadership, who knows, but that conference is desperate to expand. Who is to say ESPN doesn't agree to redo that deal with unequal revenue sharing (mentioned by ESPN's Pete Thamel) in attempt to appease schools and lure additions?
If we can't get the Big 16/18/20 to occur, do Big 12 schools consider leveraging the ACC GOR length and current PAC uncertainty against each other, to get a ACC-Big 12 pseudo merger? What is the downside of all but BYU and UCF joining the current ACC? If it stays together, it is superior to adding 4 corners to Big 12 imo. Worst case scenario it loses 8 ACC schools, and BYU and UCF are added, and it is a Big 18, waiting on the top 6 PAC schools like we are now.