Louisville To The ACC, But What’s That Aftershock Mean For The SEC?

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The Big Ten’s move to nab Maryland and Rutgers earlier this month set off shockwaves — again — across the world of college athletics.  The Big East ran out and grabbed Tulane and East Carolina yesterday.  One would replace Rutgers, the other would replace whichever school would be plucked from the Big East to join the ACC and take Maryland’s place.

The latest aftershock came today when the ACC officially announced that Louisville would be joining its ranks.  That’s a great move for Louisville as it leaves a financially weak conference for a tad richer one.  But what domino will fall next?

The ACC could expand further by grabbing UConn and Cincinnati (who fought hard to gain entry into the ACC this week).  Such a move would stretch the league to 16 full-time members plus Notre Dame in all sports but football.  But would adding those markets and households drive up television viewership for ACC football?  Most likely not.  Therefore, we believe it’s doubtful the ACC will grab those schools now.  (Boston College has fought in the past to keep UConn out of the ACC, for what that’s worth).

Might the Big 12 try to expand toward the East and grab Cincinnati or siphon off one or more unhappy ACC schools?  Possibly.  But the ACC filed suit this week against Maryland in an attempt to collect its full $50 million exit fee from the Terrapins.  To date, no school has had to actually pay a full exit fee and if the Terps can escape without having to pay $50 million, schools like Florida State, Clemson or others might look at the potential to make more TV money in the Big 12 and actually ditch the ACC.  It was rumored this summer that FSU and Clemson (and then Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech) all were “done deals” to join the Big 12, but obviously, those deals weren’t done.  In fact, they weren’t even deals.  But they could be someday.

So what impact does all this have on the Southeastern Conference?  Well, the ACC can now claim a piece of Bluegrass State, but that’s hardly been a boon for the Big East.  Here’s guessing Mike Slive yawned when he saw the news.  The SEC has had numerous opportunities to grab the Cardinals but the league never saw the need to do so.

The ACC is desperately trying to strengthen itself and it could afford take on a school with lesser academics — sorry U of L fans — to insure its future.  The SEC is strong enough as it is.

Unless other leagues start a brand new land grab, there’s no need for Slive to do anything right now.  Should the ACC splinter, then the league would certainly look to get into North Carolina and Virginia for TV purposes as we’ve written many times over many years.  Until then, all should remain quiet on the Southeastern front.

Some additional notes:

1.  Congratulations to East Carolina fans.  Now hopefully we’ll stop getting emails from Pirate-backers every time SEC expansion is discussed.

2.  Congratulations to schools with lesser academic reputations.  As conference makeup becomes more and more driven by the ravenous desire for added cable households, it’s clear that leagues fighting for survival can’t worry about terms like “commuter school” being kicked around in their direction anymore.  Louisville to the ACC?  Cincinnati and Boise State have to feel a bit better today about their chances of landing in a “name” league if/when more major shifts come.

3. The Sporting News Matt Hayes: If Florida State and Clemson leave to go to the Big 12, “the two crown jewels of the ACC become available. Duke and North Carolina, which an ACC source said have been chased by the SEC for ‘the last three years,‘ will choose between the Big Ten and the SEC. “