Is The ACC In 2012 Still An Option? Pitt Seems To Think So.
by Sean Keeley on Feb 7, 2012 5:21 PM EST
in Syracuse Football
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PrintPaul Zeise over at the Post-Gazette has spoken with a lot of folks in the Pittsburgh Panthers athletic department and come to a conclusion. If the West Virginia Mountaineers stay the course and leave the Big East in 2012, they (and presumably the Syracuse Orange with them) are leaving ASAP.
I am now becoming more and more convinced in the conversations I've had in the past two days that Pitt will be in the ACC in 2012 and here is why - the school has had enough with the way the Big East has mangled this all and frankly is waiting on West Virginia.
If - or more accurately - when, West Virginia finally declares they are leaving for the 2012 season officially and the Big 12 schedule is announced with WVU on it, Pitt is going to follow them out the door and dare the Big East to stop them.
I mean, I still think we're in the Big East for at least the 2012-2013 season, but, who the hell knows with the way these things go. Both Pitt and Syracuse are now in the strange position of rooting for West Virginia.
Pitt AD Steve Pederson spoke with Sportsradio 93-7 The Fan where he talked about how he has not closed the door on joining the ACC in 2012 and that he's keeping a close eye on the West Virginia situation. He also points out the fact that the Big East allowed TCU to leave without conferring with Pitt & SU, forcing the schools to fill that space on their 2012 football schedule in a pinch, costing them money.
Zeise brings up an interesting thought even if we do stay but West Virginia goes. SU and Pitt (and every other Big East football school) could sue the Big East over lost revenue. The West Virginia game is likely to be a nationally-televised game for both schools and the replacement would almost certainly have to be a lower-tier FBS or FCS school.
Whenever you think this whole situation gets ugly, we always uncover a way to make it uglier.
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Could the ACC
Push up scheduling with us (and Pitt) included though? Definitely understand Pitt’s point of view here — I’d say our situation is almost similar — but logistically, is it even an option for us anymore?
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I'm betting the ACC has 2 schedules
With their new TV deal, they definitely want SU and Pitt ASAP because the revenue kicks in faster.
The ACC would make it work.
They don’t want that 3 year clause in the renegotiation deal, so they want something that says if they add Syracuse and Pitt for next year, the contract keeps the same time frame.
The ACC is already half there
Just a couple days ago they released the scheduling format that they intend to use once SU/Pitt join. All they have to do is plug them in.
I’ve been saying this ever since the SU/Pitt to the ACC business started. All the talking about being held to teh 27 months is straight bull. SU/Pitt are going to call Marinatto’s bluff and he’ll fold up quick. He doesn’t have it in him to bully SU, Pitt or WVU into staying. SU and Pitt just know that the powers that be at WVU are big enough dicks to give the Big East the finger and do whatever. So, SU/Pitt are just waiting for them to do it first.
"If I ain't gonna be part of the greatest, I gotta be the greatest myself." Busta Rhymes
by FeloniousPhunk on Feb 8, 2012 9:26 AM EST up reply actions
I find it unlikely
But I’m wondering if SU is leaving an extra game open because they see it as possible. Right now I think they would have to buy out 1 of the 4 non-conf games they have scheduled (assuming a 9 game ACC) and they may be dragging their feet so they don’t have to buy out two.
Also, the Big 12 already released their schedule to the tv networks and W Virginia is on it. W Virginia is gone. There are great points about everyone in the BE suing because they would have to fill a game with no notice. Most would end up with a second FCS game which won’t count toward bowl eligibility.
The BE is in a real pinch.
If it wasn't for TCU
I’d say the three couldn’t leave, but If WVU gets out, the potential lawsuit by Pitt/SU and maybe other schools against the conference could be problematic. So the League will change it’s mind and let SU/Pitt out for a nominal fee.
Why not
push a note across the table to the three schools that say “$20M and you can walk.” We’ll come up with the money.
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Money will prevail
The sooner, the sooner,
Old Scout 71
I said this yesterday
the BE has been making decisions without consulting us. Breach of contract. Losing WVU is a failure to protect our interests as members (which we still are) and violates their fiduciary duty to ALL of their members, which until they allow us to leave, we still are. And if we have to split TV revenue even more ways in 2013 with WAC school Id say F’ it and just go.
May Doug Marrone bless you and keep you.
Yeah and if I remember correctly SU can't even vote on things in the BE now? So yeah I would say it is breach of contract. Can't have it both ways.
BE wants to hold SU,WVU and PITT in the BE then you have to let them vote. Let’s just go and see what they do.
WVU
just pulled out of their game with FSU. I have to believe that is because they expect to be in the Big 12 this year. Why would they pay $350K and be stuck in the Big East and lose that money? Maybe it’s wishful thinking on their part, but they must have some sense that they can get out.
I just hope this doesn’t turn into a BC situation where Pitt and WVU leave and SU gets stuck holding the bag. I remember how bad BC got it (rightfully so), but oh man that would suck.
The thing is that if just WVU leaves
Then the Big East almost certainly gets an exemption to operate as a 7-team FBS conference (I’m not entirely sure if the cutoff is a minimum of 8 football teams, or 8 teams period and 7 football teams). And between scrambling to work out deals with the few remaining schools with an opening on their schedules and/or playing two FCS schools, everyone that’s left can kind-of, sort-of make things work.
Add SU and Pitt and then the Big East needs a waiver to operate as a 5-team conference, which they might very well not get, so the football conference officially might not exist for a season (hence no BCS spot). And the only thing they could really do for scheduling would be to do an NFL-style double round robin — which would force anyone who’s filled out their schedule assuming 7 or fewer conference (which is UConn, Louisville, and USF) games to drop someone.
Lets be honest
The BCS is hoping the 3 schools leave immediately, so they can take away the conferences auto bid.
they'd need that and the NCAA failing to give the Big East a waiver to operate a 5-team football conference
Which might very well happen, but they could go either way on that.
We'll the factor we don't know
Is what other schools are doing. They cant be quietly sitting on the sidelines and waiting. What if other schools are waiting on what happens to WVU to jump ship. I doubt it is happening because who would actually want the remaining schools, but it could be happening.
This
makes me think everyone stays. A 5 team conference! I don’t see any way the NCAA gives them a waiver for that. What a debacle. On a purely comcial scale I would love to see that..
It would require the other 5 teams to fill 3 spots on their schedule and Uconn, South Florida and Cincy would lose two home dates out of that. This late in the scheduling process would make that an absolute mess.
They could play each other twice
UL, UConn, Rutgers, Cincy, and USF would each get 4 home games. Just need 4 non-conference games and they’d be set. Have 2 of them at home, there’s your ideal 6 home games.
Cardiac Hill contributor
Waiver for what?
Why would they need a waiver? This isn’t basketball.
NCAA rules require a minimum number of teams to be an FBS conference
My understanding is that’s 8, and that the WAC is operating under a waiver for next season.
In BBall yes
But what would be the point in FB? Why would they govern how many teams that a FB conference can have? Are you sure there is a rule?
Yes. Note that I said an FBS conference, not a division I conference.
It’s part of the half-hearted effort to maintain some level of minimum standards for FBS (like the attendance minimum requirement that isn’t enforced, or the MAC would be relegated to FCS).
Eff all of them
We want out now.
A Georgetown degree is life's technical foul. - H/T HoyaSuxa
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i say jump ship
And the be can send us a bill
by OrangeInSC on Feb 7, 2012 6:28 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Most overrated team in college basketball award goes to....
Florida.. wasnt even close. I have zero respect for them as a top 10 team. They are awful. Kentucky is doing what they want
meh, let them enjoy their win while they can
They’ll probably have it vacated anyway.
Oh, look at me! I'm making people happy. I'm the magical man from. Happyland in a gumdrop house on Lollipop Laaane! Oh, by the way, I was being sarcastic.
by stumpycuse on Feb 7, 2012 9:29 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Anyone watching this Nova-PC game?
Might not be the best teams, but it’s pretty entertaining. With 14 minutes left it was 60-41 Providence. 5 minutes left now and it’s 61-60….
It comes down to doing the right thing and leaving the Big East
early is just not the right thing to do. GIVE it one more year. Yes, we will be a lame duck team and hated by every other BE team BUT we have a moral obligation to continue on. Let’s just do it.
I would agree with you
If we were being included in Big East discussions that are relevant to us being in the conference for the next year or two. We said we would treat the departure with respect for the BE. That hasn’t been reciprocated whatsoever. Unless they’ll let us vote on issues pertinent to us, I say to hell with em.
I think an announcement will be
made once the BE tourneys (all sports) are over. I don’t have any inside source, just a hunch.
Lawsuit?
Sorry to disappoint you guys, but WVA can’t simply leave the conference next year. There is a major lawsuit going on about this. I know the rule of law is hard to comprehend for you all, with girl-hitting players and sexual assailants masquerading as assistant coaches (with wives as their accomplices to boot).
Hoya Saxa!
Actually we got over all of that a while ago.
We’re rather focused on securing a 1-seed right now.
…and yes, it is that simple: We simply get on an airplane and play other teams.
Everyone has their price, the BE will have theirs. Anyone who has ever tried to operate and manage a business grossing hundreds of millions of dollars purely on spite has been been quickly ruined.
The BE will see we’re serious, tell us what they require, and all will be fine…which is apparently the word you’re still hung up on.
Sorry to sound bitter, it’s just this season is sweeter than anything Austin Freeman will ever taste again.
Peace bitch, it’s 11:54pm and GEORGETOWN STILL SUCKS.
The 'Cuse is in tha house, oh my God oh my God.
by StrawHatGuy on Feb 7, 2012 11:54 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Actually JTB
There is Two lawsuits, I know two is a big number, so I’m not at all surprised at your inability to count to it. With TCU leaving without a Lawsuit, WVU might have a valid case that the Big East wasn’t protecting the Conference, and since TCU got off without any penalty why wouldn’t WVU?
I know you desperately want us to stay
But I think you guys will do alright as a mid-major. Put it this way, you guys will only make the tourney once every 3 years or so, so you won’t have to be bounced without a win by a MAC team every year. Plus, you’ll be at or below the level of the MAC, so you’ll actually be underdogs in that game, making your loss less embarrassing.
'Cuse and Pitt created this mess too!
Not only did they vote along with the rest of the Big East on just about everything… neither of them made use of their time on the Expansion Committees – neither submitted schools for a vote on admittance into the Big East with expansion. That committee has been 3 football and 1 non-football member in each recreation since the first ACC raid, so blaming the basketball schools doesn’t hold weight. In-fighting with WVU has been the biggest issue! Hell the football schools could only get half of you to vote for the television deal (it lost 12-4).
Exiting members are non-voting members, it’s been my experience that is the case in EVERY conference. The ACC said it expects the schools to honor conference bylaws, and from a conference that just voted to stiffen their exit penalties as well, I don’t think they’d accept a member who hasn’t left properly. As in Pitt just walking away. The ACC has no benefit for their immediate entry, where the Big 12 was desperate for their TV contract minimums. The ACC doesn’t want to face litigation and/or damage their own exiting penalty (buyout) bylaw.
I like sports, movies, and music!
Except
The Big XII has not been sued. Why would the ACC worry?
The ACC stands to gain with the new TV contract once Pitt and Syracuse are on board.
The main schools against the TV deal were Pitt, WVU, and Rutgers. Syracuse was for the last TV deal.
I never had a problem with adding Marquette and DePaul, but the failure to see the writing on the wall and grab 4 football schools one year ago was a big mistake. TCU was a nice add… but standing alone not enough to do anything.
I am not sure what you mean by “submitting” a school. It’s not like there are schools out there that nobody has heard of. Regardless, any expansion committee doesn’t have the power to actually add schools—the conference as a whole decides that. And conferences aren’t going to put any team to a vote that does not have the approvals. We’ve seen this again and again.
Meanwhile, it was PITT that came up with TCU as an addition. That was not even on the Big East radar. Too basketball focused, I guess. So whatever submitted a school is, sure looks like the football schools were in the process of doing so.
Other than that, spot on.
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