ACC's Revenue Gap Below The SEC And Big Ten Is About To Get Even Wider
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The ACC and Big 12 are about to see their revenue diminish in a new College Football Playoff distribution model.
The proposal, which is expected to pass unanimously, was first reported by Yahoo's Ross Dellenger. Previously, the Power Five conferences split an even share of television revenue from the CFP. After the PAC 12's implosion, the newly expanded Big Ten and SEC have created enough leverage to earn a bigger piece of the pie. The distribution model is getting re-done for a new contract with ESPN.
Dellenger writes: "In a proposal socialized with administrators over the last 10 days, the Big Ten and SEC would combine to earn about 58% of the CFP’s base distribution. The figure would greatly exceed the ACC and Big 12’s combined distribution number, which is expected to be around 32%. The remaining amount (roughly 10%) will be distributed to Notre Dame and the 64 Group of Five teams."
The gap between the SEC and Big Ten versus the the ACC and Big 12 could exceed $300 million. That's... massive.
My take:
I am truly shocked that the university presidents within the ACC and Big 12 are giving in so easily. I really thought they would fight harder for a bigger cut. I can only imagine what the original proposal looked like from the SEC and Big Ten side, assuming it took some bargaining to get their demands down to 58%. Perhaps they asked for 70 or 80% at the start?
It's likely that the SEC and Big Ten are using the threat of leaving the NCAA all together as leverage, and it's working.
This is another reason why it's understandable that Florida State is trying to get out of the ACC. I hope Miami gets more aggressive when it comes to looking for a new conference.
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