[dwc13]

It's not surprising 4 ACC programs are objecting to adding Stanford and Cal, a proposal being apparently pushed by Notre Dame. It's actually smart for them to object, as adding Stanford and Cal would be likely dilutive on a per program basis. And let's be honest -- adding Stanford and Cal won't "save" the ACC unless Notre Dame also joins as a full member (including football). So why placate Notre Dame when it continues to refuse to join the ACC as a full member? Notre Dame still needs a home for its other (non-football) sports so it's probably not leaving the ACC.

Make no mistake, FOX and ESPN are calling the shots in the realignment that has happened the past few years. They're paying big money for teams that draw lots of viewers. Unfortunately, Stanford and Cal football games on tv haven't consistently drawn enough viewers. That's why both are on the outside looking in. If it was up to the Chancellors / Presidents of the member universities, Stanford would already be in the B1G Ten. Alas, no current B1G Ten member is willing to take a smaller share of the (media rights revenue) pie to admit a program or two that would be dilutive. Oregon and Washington will receive only a partial share for the duration of the B1G Ten media rights contracts that begin in 2024 -- and FOX ponied up additional money -- so there is no dilution. USC and UCLA -- as members of the B1G Ten -- were factored into the negotiated media rights contracts so both will receive a full share upon joining the conference. 

That being said, I wouldn't be surprised if Stanford and perhaps Cal make their way to the B1G Ten in a few years. Hopefully I'm right about Stanford, as good tickets for a game at Ohio State or Nebraska can be a challenge to get at a decent price. And in November, the weather in Palo Alto will probably be better than in Columbus or Lincoln.

[dwc13]

It's not surprising 4 ACC programs are objecting to adding Stanford and Cal, a proposal being apparently pushed by Notre Dame. It's actually smart for them to object, as adding Stanford and Cal would be likely dilutive on a per program basis. And let's be honest -- adding Stanford and Cal won't "save" the ACC unless Notre Dame also joins as a full member (including football). So why placate Notre Dame when it continues to refuse to join the ACC as a full member? Notre Dame still needs a home for its other (non-football) sports so it's probably not leaving the ACC.

Make no mistake, FOX and ESPN are calling the shots in the realignment that has happened the past few years. They're paying big money for teams that draw lots of viewers. Unfortunately, Stanford and Cal football games on tv haven't consistently drawn enough viewers. That's why both are on the outside looking in. If it was up to the Chancellors / Presidents of the member universities, Stanford would already be in the B1G Ten. Alas, no current B1G Ten member is willing to take a smaller share of the (media rights revenue) pie to admit a program or two that would be dilutive. Oregon and Washington will receive only a partial share for the duration of the B1G Ten media rights contracts that begin in 2024 -- and FOX ponied up additional money -- so there is no dilution. USC and UCLA -- as members of the B1G Ten -- were factored into the negotiated media rights contracts so both will receive a full share upon joining the conference. 

That being said, I wouldn't be surprised if Stanford and perhaps Cal make their way to the B1G Ten in a few years. Hopefully I'm right about Stanford, as good tickets for a game at Ohio State or Nebraska can be a challenge to get at a decent price. And in November, the weather in Palo Alto will probably be better than in Columbus or Lincoln.