ESPN picks up option on ACC TV deal, tethering the two through 2036

ESPN has decided to pick up the back end of its media-rights deal with the ACC, which is good news for ESPN, not so much for the ACC, in terms of the money, anyway.

There had been uninformed speculation that ESPN might decide against picking up the final 10 years of the 20-year deal the member schools agreed to in 2016, which made no sense.

The reason I say that: the end to the deal would force the breakup of the ACC, and send the schools scrambling to find a new spot in the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, Big East.

The schools that would end up in the Big Ten and Big East would end up making money for Fox, ESPN’s main college broadcast TV and streaming rival.

Meanwhile, those that would end up in the SEC would end up costing ESPN more than they’re getting for being under the terms of the ACC deal.

ESPN isn’t going to break up the ACC to let some of the schools go over to Fox, and pay the ones it squeezes into the SEC more money.

So, no, that dog didn’t hunt.

I love the PR spin in an ESPN.com article on the extension suggesting that ACC schools will be able to bridge the revenue gap with the SEC and Big Ten; it’s hard to figure how that can be, with no new money coming from ESPN.

There’s been talk of new revenue-sharing models that would reward schools for success in the money sports, primarily football, which are really less about success than about eyeballs on the TV product.

With no new money, that just means redistributing the existing money to benefit the schools that get more leverage TV spots at the expense of the others who are relegated to ESPNU, ACCN and streaming.

More PR spin

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I’ll include the quotes from the suits from press releases announcing this … news.

“We are pleased to extend our media rights agreement with the ACC through 2036, continuing our longstanding relationship,” ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said. “We remain committed to serving the ACC, its member schools, student athletes and fans via comprehensive live game coverage, storytelling and broad exposure across our unprecedented array of networks and platforms, including ACC Network.

“The ACC is a pillar of ESPN’s leading commitment to college sports, and we are thrilled to continue the partnership over the next decade,” Pitaro said.

Explain ESPN keeping Florida State out of the CFP in 2023, then, Mr. Pitaro.

“We appreciate the ongoing partnership with ESPN and their enduring commitment that further solidifies the ACC as a premier league in all facets,” ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips said. “The extension showcases the importance of our long-standing relationship, and I want to personally thank the entire ESPN team for their leadership and dedication to our collective future. In addition, I want to thank our ACC Board of Directors who have been involved throughout this entire process. The resolve from both parties to further enhance the partnership through innovation and creativity to continue to drive additional value remains our top priority.”

Translation: FSU and Clemson will be dropping their suits against us any day now.