Georgia Tech, ACC content to watch expansion for now

Dan Radakovich has been a bottom-line guy since taking over as athletic director at Georgia Tech and he isn't oblivous to the conference expansion talk in college sports.

Dan Radakovich has been a bottom-line guy since becoming athletic director at Georgia Tech and he isn't oblivious to the conference expansion talk in college sports. (AJC file photo)

Depending on which rumor you choose to believe, the Big Ten hopes to expand by one school, three, four, five or possibly 17, after which time it would become the first major college football conference to set up an international division based in Lisbon.

As Georgia Tech athletic director Dan Radakovich said, “It’s accurate to say nobody knows where this is going. I told somebody the other day it’s a similar situation to when there’s literally hundreds of scenarios about bowl games until suddenly the whole thing gets settled in a couple of days. There’s no certainty in college athletics right now.”

If you’re Radakovich, you’re watching with more than a casual interest. Tech’s athletic department has had to deal with budget cutbacks and economic issues in the past couple of years, and the ACC is in a delicate situation right now — so much so that other conferences may be looking to pick off members.

A recent ESPN story mentioned two ACC teams, Tech and Maryland, as possibly being in the mix in Big Ten expansion plans. Once you get past the initial shock of Georgia Tech road games in Ann Arbor and Columbus (the real one), you begin to realize nothing today is off the table.

Conferences are like corporations. They’re going to swallow college teams like Walmarts  swallow corner markets. Greed is good. Lunch is for wimps. Gordon Gekko didn’t have a conscience and neither do conference commissioners when ESPN knocks on their door.

Expansion leads to value. Value leads to bigger television contracts. Bigger television contracts mean money for bigger and better libraries. (Kidding.)

It doesn’t quite jibe with the “mission” of college athletics. But the NCAA has been a hypocritical outfit for some time now, and the SEC blew the roof off with gluttonous contracts with ESPN and CBS. Total value: $3.075 billion over 15 years. That’s $17.1 million per school per year before they have ever sold a ticket or opened bidding for a recruit.

How does Georgia Tech and the rest of the ACC fit into this? Expansion with Miami, Virginia Tech and Boston College, compounded by Florida State’s slide, has kept ACC football lower in stature than other BCS conferences. That is why the conference’s current television contracts, which expire after next football season, pay out about $5 million per school – the equivalent of change found under Mike Slive’s couch cushions.

That could be about to change. Sports Business Daily is reporting the ACC is set to announce a new 12-year deal for football and basketball rights with ESPN worth $1.86 billion. That would be a significant step up for the conference at $12.9 million annually per school, though still behind the SEC.

But this game isn’t going to end any time soon. The Big Ten, which wants to start a conference football championship game and is angling for SEC TV dollars, will start picking off teams. The Big 12 and the Pacific 10 will react.

At some point, the ACC will have to react. But right now, they’re just watching, and so is Tech.

The SEC is proactive on all matters with a dollar sign. The conference easily could expand and cherry pick from the ACC. How’s this for a scenario: Georgia Tech and Florida State joining the SEC? (The Jackets were once charter members of the SEC, for those not familiar with history.) The conference would have built-in rivalries with Georgia-Georgia Tech and Florida-Florida State.

Radakovich has heard the rumors. He says they’re unfounded. He says all the right things.

But does he close the door to change? No.

“Right now we’re very happy with the ACC,” he said. “If the landscape changes, we have to do what’s best for Georgia Tech. That’s our job.

“We’re all fans. We understand this is a business. We’re not turning a blind eye to what’s going on. In any walk of life, you have to ask yourself, ‘Can we do better?’ But I’m also reminded of the saying that the grass is always greener on the other side. It’s not occupying my thoughts right now.”

The Big Ten is still plotting. When it makes a move, it could be like the tipping over the first domino.

Earlier post

Bud Selig, Phil Jackson get it right on immigration law

Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and on Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC

83 comments Add your comment

OldMonty

May 18th, 2010
11:34 am

Tech to the Big Ten!

SEC_Champion

May 18th, 2010
11:36 am

Tech from ACC to Big Ten?! Thats like trading in a BMW for a Ford Focus.

Billy

May 18th, 2010
11:36 am

Just don’t be on the outside looking in when the dust clears!!!

[...] Georgia Tech, ACC content to watch expansion for now [...]

Dan

May 18th, 2010
11:53 am

The Big Ten isn’t angling for SEC dollars. That would be a step down for them.

Halberstram

May 18th, 2010
12:15 pm

Jeff, there are rumors that for a team to be added to the SEC that is located in a state that already has a member, the current member has veto power over the addition. For example, UGA would have to approve of Ga. Tech being added and would hold the ultimate vote. Is this true?

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Connor Petloe, NCAA Football Fans. NCAA Football Fans said: [NEWS] Georgia Tech, ACC content to watch expansion for now http://bit.ly/c7Pm5D [...]

HugoStiglitz

May 18th, 2010
12:21 pm

I would love to see Tech go to the Big 10. SEC, not so much.

Boss

May 18th, 2010
12:28 pm

The Big 10 is way ahead of the SEC in terms of dollars and prestige. And if the go to 16 the gap will only widen. GT should be a part of that if they are invited. They will be a part of what will be by far the most dominate conference in college sports. The one and only national conference if the add the likes of GT, Maryland, Vandy, Rutgers, etc… And the football would be on par with the ACC. Penn State, Iowa, Ohio State players aren’t any tougher than Clemson, FSU, VT.

On the other hand, with the new contract, the ACC is on par with the SEC in terms of dollars. But the ACC still vastly superior in terms of basketball, academics, and the type of fan that comes to the game. It would be a huge step down for GT to join the SEC in all matters except for football attendance. But people in the stands don’t put points on the board.

I say join the Big 10 and maintain good academics and classy, educated fans, or stay home and be the best football team in what will become the basketball superpower with an easy road to the title game every year.

GT Fan

May 18th, 2010
12:28 pm

Why can’t GT get a first class Basketball Coach ? Fire Paul Hewitt……….

Boss

May 18th, 2010
12:31 pm

By the way, a huge congratulations to the ACC and Georgia Tech for their new contract. It is absolutely remarkable what they have pulled off in this economy. The SEC fanboys at the AJC will not recognize it for what it is. But the ACC is back on par with the SEC in dollars.

Whatever happens with expansion the ACC is going to be just fine.

Jeff Schultz

May 18th, 2010
12:33 pm

Dan — Wouldn’t exactly say a step down. But since they have their own network, they are sort of in a different category.

Mike

May 18th, 2010
12:35 pm

Georgia Tech sits in the heart of the SEC. If the Big 10 takes them, that would be huge regarding television viewer-ship. Take two southern schools and it would become a national conference and less of a regional conference. This could be very interesting.

Jeff Schultz

May 18th, 2010
12:35 pm

Halberstram: I’m going to guess — and this is just a guess — that member institutions vote on all major issues, expansion included. Don’t know if that means it has to be unanimous. Nor do I know if that means Georgia would reject Tech, if it even ever got to that point.

Jeff Schultz

May 18th, 2010
12:37 pm

GT Fan — What’s the biggest race among reader comments on blogs: Who types “First!” or who types, “Fire Paul Hewitt”? These are questions that must be answered.

Jeff Schultz

May 18th, 2010
12:39 pm

Boss — It’s a good contract, don’t get me wrong. But $1.86 billion is not “on par” with $3.075 billion.

Scott

May 18th, 2010
12:42 pm

Jeff, they are in a different category because B10 makes much more money. Through the Big 10 network, Big 10 teams EACH raked in $22MM this past year, which will grow further with entry into new markets through conference expansion. if it’s all about the “bottom line” for Radakovich, as you say it is, then he’d jump to the Big 10 if they offered.

by the way, all this can be found out through simple google searches. it’s not THAT difficult to be informed, you know.

Sonny Clusters

May 18th, 2010
12:44 pm

We was never recruited that much by an SEC school but Clemson was all over us. We was almost there when the Braves called one of us and said we’d be the face of the franchise someday. One of us went to the Braves and the other went to second shift and nobody has looked back. If we was to choose a conference to play in if we was Georgia Tech we would want to play in one that had some good mascots and would not mind the fans politely clapping when a touchdown was scored like those old fellas in the East stands do now. Tech fans are always very polite.

wawel78

May 18th, 2010
12:46 pm

so Boss – Big 10 pays out about 22 mil per school and they’re way ahead of the SEC. The ACC will pay out 12.9 mill per school and they’re “on par” with the SEC? Your argument might be more compelling if your bias wasn’t so obvious. Why don’t you just say, “I hate the SEC so Tech shouldn’t go there”?

NavySealDawg

May 18th, 2010
12:51 pm

GT would look good in the Southern Conf. but wait , dont think they could be West Carolina,they would never beat Georgia Southern

Scott

May 18th, 2010
12:57 pm

… still trying to figure out how $22M (and growing) compared with $17M (and staying at that rate for 15 years) isn’t considered a “step down” financially.

jeff?

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jeff Schultz. Jeff Schultz said: @ranfin12 How's this? http://bit.ly/dr6mOo [...]

NB

May 18th, 2010
12:59 pm

Are you serious? GT in the Big 10? I can’t believe that is even being discussed. There is nothing I hate more that turning on the television on a football Saturday on my only options being Big 10 games. Come on guys. Do you want to see Tech playing Illinois? How about Minnesota? This expansion would affect basketball too. Tech would no longer play in one of the best leagues in the country. No more Duke. No more Carolina. I don’t want Tech to move to the SEC, but I would hate for them to move to the Big 10. I can’t imagine there is a large contingent of Big 10 fans in the south. If you think Tech’s football attendance is bad now, just wait until Northwestern comes to town. There will be nobody in the stands.

Question

May 18th, 2010
1:00 pm

Jeff –

If teams are added to SEC, the money won’t go up, each team will just get less. Is this true & what effect does it have?

TommyJack

May 18th, 2010
1:05 pm

Tech would clearly be a nice addition to SEC. No brainer unless you’re a doofus. Or a dawg.

Joe Fan

May 18th, 2010
1:05 pm

Wouldn’t be suprised for the SEC to go after GT just to keep the Big 10 out of Atlanta. For those that believe Atlanta is full of UGA / SEC fans look again. The city is full of transplants and many of them from up North. GT is is a very good fit for the Big 10. Monetarily and academically it makes more sense for GT to end up there rather than the SEC.

Ramblin Wrecker

May 18th, 2010
1:07 pm

Jeff,

What do you think GT SHOULD do if the option to be in the Big Ten and/or the SEC exists?

Pi$$onaDAWG

May 18th, 2010
1:17 pm

If you don’t think Tech Fans travel now? Just wait. I will not sit the Tech Butt in Ann Aebor in Late October or November EVER. We traveled to Notre Dame a few years back as a September Game. Nice weather that time of year.

Pi$$onaDAWG

May 18th, 2010
1:22 pm

PS. If My family Snow Skied we probably would have gone to the Boise Bowl, but we don’t so we didn’t. I am not sitting in snow for a football game like that. I am from the SOUTH and I don’t like to freeze to Tailgate and watch a Game. I would go to a Playoff game in Green Bay just to say I did it once. You know the Bucket List thing, but to play in the Big 10 and travel up there ain’t happening except to games in Aug., Sept., and early Oct.

wawel78

May 18th, 2010
1:23 pm

I would like to see them join the SEC but it might make more sense to move to the big 10. Traveling cost would be something to think about but I suppose it wouldn’t be that big of a detterent for the difference in money between the two conferences.

I would love to see them renew rivalries with Auburn or Alabama.

juvenal

May 18th, 2010
1:44 pm

does DRad have complete control of this?(i don’t think he’ll poll the fans…)

OB-1

May 18th, 2010
1:48 pm

The ACC needs to be proactive and go after U Conn – decent football and basketball speaks for itself also a good rival for BC, Syracuse – in a good conference it might return it’s football team to glory. Pitt – good in football and basketball and invite Vandy as they are academic equals to any ACC college and way above the SEC standard, other than maybe UF.

OB-1

May 18th, 2010
1:54 pm

GT for the Big 10/11 and all you can think about is football and sprout off about academics, the better fit for the Big 10/11 is UVA; AAU member, ranked higher academically, better in more sports – 7 ACC championships compared to 4 for GT. Football and basketball are rebuilding and not that far removed from better days, one or two years should bring big differences for both. Also awhole lot closer to travel for all colleges.

jeffrey d

May 18th, 2010
2:02 pm

Jeff, are you not doing the Countdown anymore? If so, my weeks just got a little sadder

Reality Check II

May 18th, 2010
2:04 pm

As a GT season ticket holder the Big Ten would be just as appealing as the ACC. Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and Iowa would be just fine to see come in the BD Stadium. The other teams like Wisconsin, Minnesota, Norhtwestern would be no worse than Wake Forest, Duke, Virginia. I do not travel to away games but the one negative would be travel costs for fans and also minor sports.

Scott

May 18th, 2010
2:07 pm

OB-1… GT brings ATL media market, UVA doesn’t offer as much in that regard. otherwise they are very similar

Jeff Schultz

May 18th, 2010
2:28 pm

Scott — Whoa. Easy with the sarcasm dude. Here’s your Google search: “Last year, schools received roughly $9 million each from the conference’s deal with ABC/ESPN and another $7 million to $8 million from the BTN. Add revenue from bowl games, the NCAA basketball tournament and licensing, and you arrive at the estimated $22 million-a-year distribution figure that’s the envy of every Division I school outside the Southeastern Conference.”

So let’s be clear about this: The SEC figures do not include bowl revenue or licensing fees as your $22 million figure does. That said, Big Ten teams have a sweet deal.

MLH

May 18th, 2010
2:29 pm

Scott just got owened

Jeff Schultz

May 18th, 2010
2:30 pm

Question — Your math is correct. But if more teams are added, it adds value to the package, and that package can then be worth more for the next TV package. It’s also worth more for licensing deals and the like.

Jeff Schultz

May 18th, 2010
2:30 pm

Ramblin Wrecker — That’s an easy answer: SEC.

Jeff Schultz

May 18th, 2010
2:32 pm

Jeffrey D — The Count and I are in negotiations. He’s tough, and kind of a prima donna, but tell him I said that. We hope to have a new deal worked out by next week, thanks.

RogersParkRob

May 18th, 2010
2:38 pm

When push (will) come to shove the SEC wont let Tech go to the Big Ten. Think of having Penn St, OSU and Michigan on Tech home schedule. Big Ten would have a foot hold into the fertile recruiting grounds, and have better media with the Big Tenh network. hmmm… Your right Schultz, Tech’s going to wait for an offer from both The Big Ten and SEC and choose……

OB-1

May 18th, 2010
2:42 pm

Scott, you are correct in the Hotlanta market, but UVA would give them an opening onto the DC market, as little an openning it would still be an opening.

Shane

May 18th, 2010
2:44 pm

Jeff
Sec contract is 15 years. Acc is 12. The gap is not that much.

OB-1

May 18th, 2010
2:46 pm

My opinion would be to align the ACC and SEC with each school playing two from the other conference, home and home every year. That is without a complete merger, this “Mega” Conference could rule ALL sports and not just football and basketball.

OB-1

May 18th, 2010
2:52 pm

Maybe the ACC should be proactive and raid the SEC and invite Vanderbilt, Florida, Georgia, Auburn, Alabama and in return we’ll give the SEC FSU or we give the Big East Boston College back.

jeffrey d

May 18th, 2010
2:59 pm

Thanks Jeff….I hope I didn’t come off as “Where the F is my countdown?! Lazy….”

Just wanted to let you know that I love your work.

[...] Georgia Tech, ACC content to watch expansion for now [...]

F jim cramer naked short the hedge funds

May 18th, 2010
3:10 pm

I hope things don’t change too much. I like the conferences the way they are. ND just needs to go to the big 10 and then they can have their champ game.

wawel78

May 18th, 2010
3:15 pm

so Jeff, are you saying the SEC is closer to the Big 10 than the ACC is to the SEC?

Also, I’m still having a difficult time believing recruits would go to the B10 just because GT is in the conference. I think one reason recruits come to the SEC is the weather. It would be a big factor for me if I was a big time recruit.

Jeff Schultz

May 18th, 2010
3:19 pm

Shane: $205 million per year vs. $155 million per year, if I did my math correctly. So I guess it all depends how you define significant. But repeating: It’s a good deal.

Jeff Schultz

May 18th, 2010
3:22 pm

Wawe78….I hear what you’re saying but they wouldn’t be moving the whole school there. We’re talking about a few of college Saturdays on the road in the cold (maybe).

Atlanta--Home to GT & SEC Championship Game

May 18th, 2010
3:29 pm

Georgia Tech belongs in the SEC period.

Trade-In Time

May 18th, 2010
3:35 pm

Give Georgia Tech back to the SEC
and South Carolina back to the ACC

Ramblin Wrecker

May 18th, 2010
3:41 pm

The Big Ten and Jim Delany have said it themselves, that expanding the membership into the South is a motivating factor. It sounds more and more like Georgia Tech would be a likely target. It’s in a big media market that isn’t currently a Big Ten fan base. It’s a fertile recruiting ground. GT is a member of the AAU and GT is a competitive program.

Check out this story:
http://www.startribune.com/local/94162499.html

TECHTOWER

May 18th, 2010
3:46 pm

tech stays
i say the sec falls!

Heath

May 18th, 2010
4:16 pm

Again, what does the SEC gain from adding a school that can’t sell 40,000 tickets per week? Maybe the draw would be that you could always get a seat at NATS if you were traveling with your team.

George

May 18th, 2010
4:20 pm

Prior to joining the ACC, Tech was nominated for membership in the SEC by Alabama. According to the AJC at that time, Bear Bryant made a passionate speech for acceptance. The vote had to be unamimous.
Georgia and Mississippi voted no. Mississippi’s Johnny Vaught still held hard feelings toward Bobby Dodd. Vince Dooley felt it would give Tech a recruiting edge on Georgia. Every school must still vote yes for admittance, but this time dollars will rule and not hard feelings.

wawel78

May 18th, 2010
4:29 pm

Sorry Jeff, I meant the Big 10 grabbing recruits out of the south if they were able to land Ga Tech. The recruits would still have to play in a cold atmosphere if they didn’t go to Tech. If the money was right, I don’t think the weather would influence Raddy’s decision.

Tech Monster

May 18th, 2010
4:35 pm

The SEC should dump arkansas and get Ga Tech.

[...] a team that makes no sense, and somehow all the sense in the world to Jim Delany? According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Georgia Tech is a hot button team that should be interrested in a move, Conferences are like [...]

IL Jacket

May 18th, 2010
5:55 pm

Jeff, I don’t know what website you are quoting, but Scott’s numbers are closer to accurate with respect to TV rights. The Big Ten Network paid $122 Million to the conference last year, ESPN paid $100 for football pursuant to their 10-year deal (compared to the $150 Million under the new SEC deal in its third year) and the separate basketball deal with CBS. These total to approximately $22 Million for each of the eleven teams. You will note there are no bowl fees or licensing fees in these totals. So we really are comparing apples to apples and the Big Ten is still $5 Million ahead. One other thing-each of the Big Ten teams is building equity in the BTN for the future. For the backup see the ozone.net on Big Ten expansion.

Clout

May 18th, 2010
7:05 pm

Schultz, enough of your SEC posturing. The ACC just doubled their revenue – and the deal is over 12 years, not 15 — and all you can do is poo poo it. Yes, there’s still a difference but the SEC negotiated their deal at the height of the economy. Besides, there’s a bigger picture here when you talk of school affiliations — things like faculty, academics, reputation and researh dollars. Heck, even the Big 10 knows that.

If a Clemson or an FSU leaves (I wouldn’t put Tech in their category), do you think the faculty at at UNC, Duke or UVa are going to bat an eye? The reality is Clemson and FSU — like every other ACC school — have many decision-makers who would prefer to remain ACC members. There’s a bigger picture here that you cannot seem to grasp. And make no mistake, the 5M delta b/t what UVA takes in versus Mississppi State’s 17M from the $EC is inconsequential

Ramblin' Wreck

May 18th, 2010
7:25 pm

Real built in rivalries:
Tech vs Auburn
Tech vs ‘bama
Tech vs TN

Clout

May 18th, 2010
7:44 pm

Schultz, you poo poo what the ACC did in a tough economy and over 12 years not 15 like the SEC. Do you think an institution like UVa will bat an eye that an MSU or an LSU makes 5M per year b/c of TV bucks??? Have you seen their endowment??? All your SEC posturing is fine and dandy but there’s a bigger “pecking order” from an institutional standpoint. Big 10 maneauvering aside, whatever overtures the SEC makes and whatever the hell a Clemson or an FSU does (or a Tech which I doubt the Pres. woould want to step back academically), there are a number of ACC schools that will never, ever be affiliated with certain schools from the situational ethics conference.

GT GRAD

May 18th, 2010
8:40 pm

GT in the SEC or Little10…………no thanks.

Legitimate question: After the new ACC football contract is finalized………….what will the combined TV revenues be for Football, Basketball & Baseball (ACC, SEC & Big10) per team.

I imagine the SEC is still #1, but the differential is probably not as significant since the ACC would most definitely draw more money for Basketball & Baseball in comparison to the 12 SEC teams.

IL Jacket

May 18th, 2010
9:44 pm

GT Grad, after giving effect to the latest contract negotiated by the ACC and after giving effect to the amount of each contract going to the respective conference offices, the totals per team appear to be approximately $22 Million (Big Ten); $15.77 Million(SEC); and $11.92 Million(ACC). As far as I can tell the SEC and ACC contracts are comprehensive and exclusive covering all sports. The Big Ten has a separate basketball contract with CBS that I believe ends after the next season. Most
of this information comes from the Sports Business Journal.

Pope UGA XXIII

May 19th, 2010
8:33 am

Hope the humble bumbles are content to watch conference
expansions, cuz that’s what they will be doing – watching.

ihavewud4GT

May 19th, 2010
1:30 pm

jeff schultz = brian posehn

Bryan

May 19th, 2010
2:45 pm

I think Maryland, UVA, or Virginia Tech all make much more sense for the Big 10 than GT. Sure GT has some Atlanta pull but Maryland would bring you DC and Baltimore. VT and to a lesser extent UVA bring you DC, Richmond, Hampton Roads, Roanoke. New markets. However, I like others here think the whole mega conference expansion talk sucks. It’s not good for college athletics.

wesleywhatwhat

May 19th, 2010
4:28 pm

the acc signing a billion + dollar contract with ESPN does NOT equal “the ACC is in a delicate situation right now”.

my advice – stop reading tony “mr sec football” barnhart if u want an unbiased look at college football.

Tony

May 19th, 2010
6:09 pm

It doesn’t matter to me which conference Tech becomes a member but don’t believe there are no many Big Ten supporters in the Atlanta area. I know several and I would bet many of the posters here do also. Recruiting would also open up for Tech in the Big Ten and the opportunity to play in the Rose Bowl would be a draw for many in the South. But that is just football. Basketball would not be hurt much as Big Ten basketball is well respected. But the spring sports may suffer. Playing baseball or tennis may not be as appealing it travel was required in Feb and March. The ACC only wanted Tech because of the Atlanta media. Techs athletics were in shambles and were not expected to win many games much less conference championships. The Atlanta Media would help the Big Ten more than the Virginia- DC Conection at least as far as players. May be not viewers but players as there are many more Division I players out of the South than the DC area. As I said I really don’t care were Tech goes just get out of the ACC where nothing is done to Officials when it is obvious they cheat. At least the SEC has suspended Officials when a review indicates they were wrong. The ACC doesn’t suspend Officials when a player goes out of bounds and gained a first down with less than a minute left in the half as in Tech vs N.Carolina this year. Of course the ACC Commisioner was the AD at NC for over 10 Yrs. No wonder they get the advantage in calls. May be the REfs are told they will be fired if they don’t.

THWGT!!!

May 19th, 2010
10:10 pm

GT2B10MYIDEA

May 19th, 2010
11:35 pm

Actually since we’re on the subject…

If Notre Dame and Texas joined the B10 along with Nebraska, Missouri, Rutgers, and Georgia Tech the added revenue per year would be $40M per school NOT $22M.

GT2B10MYIDEA

May 19th, 2010
11:43 pm

minus either Nebraska, Mizzou, Rutgers or GT from the equation. My point, it’s going to be a dog fight to get that 16th spot and make that extra $40M per year.

Fillin' up @ Juniors

May 20th, 2010
9:20 am

Don’t care who Tech plays, when they play em, or their liklihbood to win, just love my jackets… But honestly I would keep my vote in the ACC, the new contract is bound to help the ACC recover competitive ground on the SEC, and its only a matter of time before the big time programs re-emerge ala FSU, Miami, Clemson, VT…and when three of those can put together strong seasons the ACC will be back to football promise land. The Big 10 doesn’t offer any more excitment, and I feel the SEC would make us into the new South Carolina of the SEC…great games, great rivalries, and probably not competing for championships every year. In the end, don’t care going to love on my jackets no matter who they play….

ACC

May 20th, 2010
1:21 pm

I for one say stay in the ACC. The only benefit for Tech joining the SEC is football and money, which is great but theirs more to it than that. Think about the institution. Think about the ACC and what it means. The academics are the best. Best basketball. Do you really want to travel to Ann Arbor and Columbus every other year? Not to mention Happy Valley. Yes great match ups but a lot of cash for John Doe fan. The ACC has been great to us since the beginning. We just need DRAD to schedule more opponents from the SEC every year. Stay in the ACC.

JawjunY'all

May 22nd, 2010
9:55 am

Wait’ll Obama reads about all that cash floating around. Schools with incorporated athletic programs – - don’t walk, don’t run, fly to your smartest corporate tax shysters.

Stinger

May 31st, 2010
8:53 am

The ACC should raid Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, and LSU. This would strengthen football and not hurt basketball. I can’t see UGA is the ACC. They have no basketball or baseball team and the football team wasn’t even ranked last year.

VTCSA

June 2nd, 2010
10:15 pm

Virginia was the capital of the confederacy and Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, J.E.B Staurt etc.. were Virginians and I doubt anyone would say Robert E Lee was not a southerner. Virginia joined the Confederacy before Arkansas, Tennessee and North Carolina. Virginia is as much the South as any of the 11 seceding states and belongs in the SEC. Kentucky didn’t even secede by the way. You talk of SEC culture, VT is it. I say the SEC should add FSU, Clemson, VT and one of UNC/GT/UVA. Lane Stadium is as intense and loud as any SEC stadium. I think it would be great plus open up new TV market.

Impartial

June 5th, 2010
5:10 am

Tech in the Big 10? Doesn’t work for obvious reasons. Tech needs to be back in the SEC where they have belonged the whole time.

[...] weeks ago, I spoke to Georgia Tech athletic director Dan Radakovich about the potential changing landscape. He said at the time, “There’s no certainty in [...]