The first is the possibility of ND and Stanford trying to put together an “high academic” (whatever that means) centric conference comprised of private schools, public ivies, and eventually actual Ivy League members one day. If Miami, UVA, and Duke are left out of the P2 this will be exactly what they will do and they will probably have no problem being on Apple TV.

The politics in NC have consolidated the realignment decision power at the Board of Governors over the entire 17 school system. UNC can’t do ANYTHING on its own. That links the UNC and NCST together. If the SEC actually wants UNC and UVA as it is rumored, it will have to take Duke because UVA isn’t moving without it. UNC, Duke, UVA, and NCST will want their tobacco road fiefdom and it seems tightly woven. I don’t think ESPN is paying pro rata four those four nor will it pay such for Kansas as some rumors have it. Sankey wants to increase basketball value of the SEC but he’s going to have to take a bunch of football dead weight to do it.


Right now, FSU and Clemson are rumored to be headed to the B1G because of what Fox wants and because by settling they are both available. UNC’s BoT recently forced out the B1G friendly leadership and replaced it with those favoring the SEC. For administrative and political reasons it isn’t available for the B1G.

The only certain Big 12 add is Louisville. Syracuse might be another option. If VA politics doesn’t get involved, VT might become available. But Duke, Miami, GT, UVA, Cal, and Stanford are never setting foot in the Big 12. The Big 12 has as much interest in WF and BC as it does OrSU and WSU; none.