Respectfully, I've got to disagree as to any positives whatsoever in remaining in the ACC regardless of new revenue distribution. There's more than a handful of reasons to walk away. These are just a few examples...
1) The only positive for staying is that the financial penalties for separation become moot. The legal costs would decrease and there wouldn't be any angst for administrators learning the ropes in a new league. It's shortsighted and the cheap way out. But in the end the proposed additional revenue stream would at best only bridge a portion of the inequity between B1G/SEC TV payments. It's the easy thing to do and unfortunately I'd bet that's where Clemson is headed.
2) Of course we know in the expanded play-offs the winner of the ACC will be awarded a spot. But guess what? Clemson and FSU aren't guaranteed an extra nickel unless they win big. Hell, Wake has won the title before and so anything is possible. Worse though, SCar and other bottom feeders in those 2 leagues make their full share regardless of whether they ever field a great team. That makes player salaries and increasing costs to keep quality staff affordable in Columbia while Clemson soaks alumni and fans for cash to compete.
3) I also disagree that the cache' of playing for Clemson will overcome NIL and portal transfer expenses. Yes, Clemson will occasionally land elite players. But not at the level needed to compete at the highest level. And it will become more and more difficult to hold on to them once the star's are approached with big dollars from rivals. It's already started and won't slow down. Having more money thru those huge B1g/SEC payouts will be a difference maker in attracting and keeping elite talent coming to Clemson. Anyone who thinks our roster has enough 5-stars on it to win over UGA, Bama, OSU, etc is simply not paying attention.
4) The ACC has treated Clemson like shit for 7 decades. You really think "settling" with Clemson and FSU will improve conference relations? Those other league presidents and fanbases gonna be happy that 2 members created this problem for those who are happy as punch with things the way they are? This situation reminds me of when a disgruntled employee tells the employer they're leaving. Said employer makes a more $$ counter and promises a better working relationship. When in most cases, the arrangement only temporarily improves things and the employer always wins -- the organization benefits from stability until they decide to run the employee off later!
5) The national respect and revenue divide between members of those 2 conferences and Clemson will not end with a 2025 arrangement. They'll continue to win the championships that matter and future media revenue deals will be even richer. Clemson has no billionaire benefactors. Between the current facilities debt load, NIL costs, sign up bonuses for high schoolers, multi-million dollar annual expenses due to the players lawsuit -- it's unrealistic imo that Clemson remains relevant without an equal share of what B1G/SEC receive. I hope our BOT sees far ahead and doesn't negotiate a partial fix. Take the damn number and get the f*ck out so that we're free to engage with the other leagues. Sooner rather than later please.
1) The only positive for staying is that the financial penalties for separation become moot. The legal costs would decrease and there wouldn't be any angst for administrators learning the ropes in a new league. It's shortsighted and the cheap way out. But in the end the proposed additional revenue stream would at best only bridge a portion of the inequity between B1G/SEC TV payments. It's the easy thing to do and unfortunately I'd bet that's where Clemson is headed.
2) Of course we know in the expanded play-offs the winner of the ACC will be awarded a spot. But guess what? Clemson and FSU aren't guaranteed an extra nickel unless they win big. Hell, Wake has won the title before and so anything is possible. Worse though, SCar and other bottom feeders in those 2 leagues make their full share regardless of whether they ever field a great team. That makes player salaries and increasing costs to keep quality staff affordable in Columbia while Clemson soaks alumni and fans for cash to compete.
3) I also disagree that the cache' of playing for Clemson will overcome NIL and portal transfer expenses. Yes, Clemson will occasionally land elite players. But not at the level needed to compete at the highest level. And it will become more and more difficult to hold on to them once the star's are approached with big dollars from rivals. It's already started and won't slow down. Having more money thru those huge B1g/SEC payouts will be a difference maker in attracting and keeping elite talent coming to Clemson. Anyone who thinks our roster has enough 5-stars on it to win over UGA, Bama, OSU, etc is simply not paying attention.
4) The ACC has treated Clemson like shit for 7 decades. You really think "settling" with Clemson and FSU will improve conference relations? Those other league presidents and fanbases gonna be happy that 2 members created this problem for those who are happy as punch with things the way they are? This situation reminds me of when a disgruntled employee tells the employer they're leaving. Said employer makes a more $$ counter and promises a better working relationship. When in most cases, the arrangement only temporarily improves things and the employer always wins -- the organization benefits from stability until they decide to run the employee off later!
5) The national respect and revenue divide between members of those 2 conferences and Clemson will not end with a 2025 arrangement. They'll continue to win the championships that matter and future media revenue deals will be even richer. Clemson has no billionaire benefactors. Between the current facilities debt load, NIL costs, sign up bonuses for high schoolers, multi-million dollar annual expenses due to the players lawsuit -- it's unrealistic imo that Clemson remains relevant without an equal share of what B1G/SEC receive. I hope our BOT sees far ahead and doesn't negotiate a partial fix. Take the damn number and get the f*ck out so that we're free to engage with the other leagues. Sooner rather than later please.
