Here is what I have been told... Reply
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there is much frustration between the presidents at the moment. Part of it has to do with how "hard lined" the positions have become. Duke and Carolina's unwillingness to entertain a 12-team league regardless of the modfications that have been proposed. UVa's political difficulties seem insurmountable and most within the council accept Casteen's situation. The anxiety over a 13-team league and NC State's apparent retreat from the proposal before an adequate review could take place. And now, Carolina's new position of recommending the league take only Miami and defer any additional expansion for the time being.
All of this has presented an aura of malcontent among the presidents. Plus, Swofford's inability to effectively navigate this process has left matters in a state of disgust.
Now, despite all of this confusion at the moment, my sources continue to believe some form of expansion will take place. A meeting is planned for tomorrow and the presidents will discuss each scenario, individually. This means the merits of: 1) a 10-team league with (Miami only) 2) a 12-team league with (Miami, BC, and Syracuse) 3) a 13-team league, with the projections of a 14-team league in the near future (the three school and VT).
Why will expansion happen, despite the current level of aggrevation with one another? Essentially because the ACC will NEVER get another chance at Miami, again. More importantly, the league fully knows EVERY conference in the nation will tighten their by-laws to ensure the "cost to exit" will come with significant financial pain. Plus, a nine-team league does not solve their projected financial problem of a reduction in broadcast fees for the upcoming f'ball contract, expected to be a pay-out less than what the per school take of a 12-team conference would be.
From my own selfish point of view, I really hope when this matter is resolved some significant "pain" is injected upon Carolina and Duke. Most close to the process will agree that their selfish behavior is the primary reason matters have not been resolved.
Duke's view of the world is an anti-f'ball perspective. Guess that is what the end result of a 25-game conference losing streak. Carolina is pure and simple greed!! They are sitting on a $150 million athletic endowment and complaining about how the reduction in ACC tournament tickets, resulting from a 12-team conference, will have a major impact on their annual fundraising.
With the clock ticking, expect some type of compromise to emerge within the next few days.
