Gavitt Games – ACC Expansion

Gavitt Games

The Big East and Big Ten are currently in discussions to extend the Gavitt Tipoff Games. The standing agreement began in 2015 and expires after this season’s round of tilts. Talks have been ongoing and according to a report by Jon Rothstein, it appears that an extension is emminent.

The parties are considering several changes for the games, which generally consist of an 8 game slate over several dates in the early season. The 2022 slate for example, the 8 games were spread over a 5-day span.

One interesting aspect, according to Rothstein, is the notion of moving the entire package of games to a season-opening 1-2 day format. The 2023 GTG slate runs Nov 13th – 17th.

ACC Expansion

According to a report from Ross Dellinger and YahooSports, ACC Conference presidents have approved an expansion plan to bring aboard the PAC 12’s UCal-Berkeley and Stanford, along with the AAC’s Southern Methodist University.

The article addresses a host of issues… as it should, as there is a laundry list of items needed to be checked off such an odd arrangement. The main issue – feeding the hungry footballers, is addressed via the extra revenues from ESPN & reduced initial intake by the PAC12 schools. It is reported the 2 PAC12 schools will receive $8 Million/year in MR for an unreported term. SMU reportedly has voluntarily agreed to forego annual ACC revenues for several years? Those unused revenues will augment the football descenters MR payments based on annual performance incentives. Any additional (football) payments are capped at $10 Million.

This is putting a finger in the dike – a paltry $10 Million boost to the current revenue stream is peanuts to the Seditious Six – FSU, Miami, Clemson, UNC, UVA, & NCST. The weakest sister, NC State, capitulated and agreed to this deal. Even with this desperate development – a marriage of necessity, the conference is fighting a losing battle. Income will fall back to the normal range hi-$20’s to low $30’s Million after the new accessions ‘honeymoon’ period is done.

ACC teams are still far behind both the B1G & SEC beginning next year. The Big 2 will hand out MR checks to the tune of mid $60’s Million and mid $50’s Million respectively in 2024-25. The Big 2’s annual payments grow substantially over the course of their new agreements. At the ACC’s paltry price, the PAC12 schools would be better off in the Big East. Alas…in 2 years time perhaps?

This is not a solution. The Prez’s & Commish are grasping at straws, throwing cow patties, camel dung, fresh ambergris, SOS, Soju, Kimche, Chitlins at the walls – everything – to see if anything sticks! To no avail my friends. Thanks to the likes of the Seditious Six, the next round is just around the corner. They cannot hold back the tide – implosion is inevitable. Stay tuned.

Jim Harvey @gtmoBlue

PS: CBS’ Norlander on the ACC expansion: https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/acc-adding-stanford-cal-and-smu-means-the-conferences-days-of-being-an-elite-basketball-league-are-over/