Locked On ACC - Daily College Football & Basketball Podcast - Florida State & The ACC Enter Mediation | Seminoles Leaving Soon? | Does Georgia Tech Have A Shot?

Starting point is 00:00:00 Florida State and the ACC are entering mediation. Does this mean the Seminoles are about to get out? You are locked on ACC, your daily podcast on the Atlantic Coast Conference. Part of the Locked on Podcast Network, your team every day. Shout out to the everydayers for making Locked on ACC, your first listen and your first watch today. We're available free wherever you get your podcast. We're free on YouTube.

Starting point is 00:00:31 We're part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your team every day. Today's episode is brought to you by Fanduel. This summer, Fandual is hooking up all customers with a boost or a bonus daily. That's right. There's something for everyone every day all summer long. Visit Fanduel.com to get started on this episode of Lockedon ACC. These big 12 rumors about like poaching half of the ACC, they're getting so out of hand. It's just kind of becoming background noise at this point.

Starting point is 00:00:57 We'll talk a little bit about this. I do want to start talking about that matchup in Dublin, Ireland, between Florida State and Georgia Tech, because we're opening up the whole thing with that. It's week zero. It's coming up in less than two weeks. But I want to talk about this mediation. He's Kenton Gibbs from Locked on Wolfpack. I am Alex Dono from Locked on Caines.

Starting point is 00:01:16 So Kenton, what does your gut tell you? Now that Florida State and the ACC, they're basically going to be sitting down with a marriage counselor. Do you think that this mediation is actually going to get us somewhere in terms of a settlement or some kind of a resolution? I want to answer your question with a question. question. All the couples who sit down with marriage counselors, do they end up staying together? All of them, right? A hundred percent marriage retention rate as long as you see a counselor, right?

Starting point is 00:01:43 And that is my point exactly, right? For anybody who doesn't know, Dono and I are being sarcastic. Obviously, every couple that goes from various counseling does not stay together. Some of them work it out. And on their 40th anniversary, they're playing the Al Green. Let's stay together. They join each other.

Starting point is 00:01:56 Some of them want to go there in separate ways and never see each other again. They do the TikTok tour where it says, get back with mom or dad, and dance, and then they start dancing their hearts away. So what we're saying here is that the sit down, the force mediation, means little to nothing. This is not a win for either side. This is not a loss for you the side. This is just a proceeding.

Starting point is 00:02:16 This is just like, oh, moving to discovery, who does this help? Who does this hurt? It's like, neither. What comes out of discovery could help or hurt somebody, but moving to it objectively means nothing. That's how I feel about this mediation. Nobody is forced to, hey, you're forced to let them out of the carbon for cheaper. Or, hey, you're forced to pay half a billion because mediation has occurred.

Starting point is 00:02:39 That's not the point of mediation. The point of mediation is to hope that they can find. That's the court's way of saying, hey, let's sit down together. Y'all rewards business partners. Let's find a way to work this thing out. I think there's a nothing burger in my opinion. Yeah, by the way, this was reported by Ross Dellinger at Yahoo Sports that the mediation is, we knew what was going to happen at some point, but the mediation is starting this week.

Starting point is 00:03:02 If anything, Kenton, if they can find some kind of a resolution in this mediation, it's going to save a lot of people a lot of money. It's going to, you know, save some taxpayers. some money, as far as going through what could be a long court battle in Leon County, Florida. It could. The thing is, obviously, it's up for Florida State and the ACC to decide if this would save them money in the long run. It would definitely save them money on the lawyer fees, right?

Starting point is 00:03:27 But, you know, the exit fees and all that could tell a different story. And you brought up a couple of important points there, Kenton. Again, this mediation is not a surprise. This was ordered by Judge Cooper in Florida. mediation is noted by Ross Delinger. Like it's different from arbitration, right? The mediator cannot force any agreement or outcome. So let's take a look at what the two sides want here, Kenton.

Starting point is 00:03:53 I'm going to lay it out first for Florida State. And again, I'm not saying anything substantive comes out of the mediation, but this is what, in my opinion, Florida State would be looking for in terms of trying to negotiate an ACC exit. You know, Florida State, they're looking for some kind of. have an agreement that allows them to exit the conference and do so as soon as possible for the lowest possible fees, right? Because the reported exit fees, what it would cost them to leave the ACC are basically unpayable. The fee itself just to exit the conference is around $130 million. Then there's also the fee to buy your television rights away from the ACC. And the ACC feels that

Starting point is 00:04:32 those fees combined would price it at over $500 million. Now, you know, listen, I'm sure Florida state could raise some funds, maybe bring in some private equity, but probably not 500 million plus worth. So they're trying to get out, I would say, by what the earliest would be for the 26 football season, because it's been reported they're not going to hit the deadline three days from now to declare for the 2025 football season. So Florida State is looking to get out as early as 2026 with as low of a fee possible, preferably zero. Yeah, yeah, that's the goal for them. And I mean, again, these two sides, there is not a small distance. This isn't one side wants 30, one side wants 20.

Starting point is 00:05:16 You're looking at the difference of 130 to 550 plus. That is hundreds of millions of dollars. That type of stuff, you're not going to like, hey, we're all friends here. What's a couple hundred million between friends, right? Let's I'm sorry to tell you This thing This mediation bit is cool

Starting point is 00:05:42 I mean it's something that again It's happening It's part of proceedings But this does not move me one way or the other To say like oh man I'm so worried I know what this is going to result in I know how this is going to shake out

Starting point is 00:05:55 Because it's objectively not This is not going to be a thing that is Going to have a significant bearing By way of like when we look back at it We're going to say man the mediation That was where things really turned one way or the other, unless somebody does something so unreasonable and unspeakable in there

Starting point is 00:06:12 that the other side is like, oh, yeah, it's clear we won based on this. So the judge is like, you did what? Yeah, no, no, no, no. We can't allow that. So, I mean, objectively speaking, I think that there's too much money involved here. I think a lot how people say we're beyond the point of repair for the relationships between Clemson, Florida State, and the ACC.

Starting point is 00:06:33 I think we're a lot past the point of mediation with these three parties. well to where you would say, you know what, let's just sit on and talk this out like friends, because all parties involved are spending how much in lawyer fees daily. Like I think you're a little patient situation. Well, okay, you brought up how far apart the sides are financially, right? We're like Florida State, like they'll tell you they're trying to get out for zero, right? Where the ACC, oh, you can get out for 550 million, 57 million. We've heard numbers like that get thrown around.

Starting point is 00:07:02 But it's not just the money, which is what the ACC wants. year because I think the ACC's ultimate goal, this is probably not achievable, but their ultimate goal would be to block Florida State and Clemson from leaving altogether, at least to block them through 2036. You know, Florida State and Clemson, both very valuable brands. They bring a lot of money and prestige to the league. But if we assume that it's probably impossible for the ACC to keep them in the conference for another 12 years, their next benchmark would be to force FSU to pay full price, which would be over 500 million to exit the conference. So when we come back here on Locked on ACC, I want to talk a little bit more about

Starting point is 00:07:43 how these mediation talks might go, that if they can find common ground and if either side, if one side has more incentive to mediate than the other, or if both sides are just going to dig their trenches and dig their heels in. So got a lot more to come on this episode, folks. We're only getting started on this brand new Monday locked on ACC. You want to keep it locked. And you know you want to keep it locked to eBay Motors because passion, drive, and patience. That's the formula for winning championships.

Starting point is 00:08:14 And it's also the formula for keeping your ride or die alive. eBay Motors has everything you need to maintain your vehicle and level it up to peak performance. Superchargers, roof racks, exhaust kits, LED headlights, and more, whether you're into speed, power, or style, eBay Motors has you covered. With over 122 million parts for your number one ride or die, you'll always find exactly what you're looking for. and with eBay guaranteed fit, your part is guaranteed to fit your ride every time of your money back. Because with eBay Motors, you're burning rubber, not cash. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it's easy to make your car, the MVP, and bring home huge wins.

Starting point is 00:08:49 Keep your ride or die alive at eBaymotors.com. Eligible items only, exclusions apply. eBay guaranteed fit, only available to U.S. customers. Thank you so much for making Locked on ACC your first listen today. For your second listen, check out Lockdown College Football. Spencer McLaughlin does an awesome job taking you around all the major college football stories, conference reallignment, season previews coming up. Spencer has got you covered. Lockdown college football available like this show free wherever you get your podcast and available free on YouTube. I'm Alex Dono from Lockdown Canes. He is Kenton Gibbs from Locked on Wolfpack. We are locked on ACC.

Starting point is 00:09:27 So, you know, Kenton, do both sides or either side, I should say, have any incentive to, to negotiate throughout this mediation period. I mean, I guess I would say Florida State probably has more incentive because for them it's like we can maybe negotiate a price. Whereas for the ACC, the ACC doesn't seem to want to negotiate period if you take Commissioner Jim Phillips at his word because he talked about fighting for as long as it takes. Yeah, I agree.

Starting point is 00:09:55 Florida State is incentivized to make this deal because their idea is the quicker we take this deal, the quicker we can get out. The quicker we can get out, the quicker we can get to a big money conference. what does the ACC gain by moving this process along expediently? I would eventually to guess nothing. I mean, you could say, well, they know what the future holds and all that good stuff, but even then, you still know what the future holds without these two schools right now because that's a contingency that is staring you in the face.

Starting point is 00:10:23 It's not something that's in the distant future. You know, if it was like, oh, how people say me and broke are never close to one another, you in Florida State and South Carolina or Clemson leaving, right here. It is at your doorstep. It is knocking on your door saying, come outside. We're not going to jump you. Note to the viewers here and the listeners. If anybody ever says that, stay inside. They're definitely going to jump the hell out of you. Don't leave your ports. Don't leave your house. It's not going to end well. So in all seriousness, this is one of those moments where Florida State is a Cidivis because expediency works in their favor in terms of what they want to accomplish what their goals are. That's right. The ACC on the other hand, like you said, the goal for the. ACC keep these two schools for as long as humanly possible. You do not do that by sitting down in

Starting point is 00:11:11 good faith and saying, hey, listen, we really are good friends here. Let's work this out. Because in reality, you're not friends. You're business partners. And if you are business partners, you have to, which I know this is ironic being that this is the nature of this case, you have to meet a fiduciary responsibility to one another. That's part of the deal. That's part of this. So obviously the ACC is not incentivized to be friendly and buddy, buddy. And hey, listen, we're two guys. This is small claims court. You know, we're working this out over a thousand bucks or a PlayStation or whatever.

Starting point is 00:11:41 This is not that. This is a big deal. Lots of money. The ACC gains lots of money by keeping Florida State Clemson as long as possible. I don't see a word in which the ACC is incentivized, motivated to, or even from a standpoint of common sense, logically, wants to. wants to mediate this deal. The word of the day is expediency, by the way.

Starting point is 00:12:06 And I could have said that better myself as to why Florida State has a lot more incentive to get something done in mediation than the ACC because I guess the idea of getting this done quickly and not allowing the ACC to drag it out, that might cause Florida State maybe to overlook some of the things they feel like these are the factors why we're going to kick their butts in court because if you go through that entire process,

Starting point is 00:12:32 it could take years. Because if I look at it from the Florida State point of view, and if you ever like spend a few hours or even a few minutes, like going to the message boards on Knowles 24-7 or on War chant, if you go by the posts on those message boards, they've already won. The ACC has no leg to stand on. The grant of rights is just a fictional thing. You can just tear it up. It means nothing.

Starting point is 00:12:55 It's unenforceable. But if that's the way Florida State's legal team actually feels about it, that, hey, you know, you talked about fiduciary duties. If they strongly feel that the ACC violated those, if they feel that Jim Phillips and the ACC have violated their own grants of rights and their own prestigious because they didn't hold a full conference vote for this and that and pursuing state, if FSU feels confidently about those points, they might say, hey, maybe we shouldn't mediate. Maybe we should just go kick their butts. but I thought what you brought up, though, about the expediency of this whole thing, Florida State might even overlook some of what they feel like, hey, these are the factors where we can really beat them in court, but how long is it going to take?

Starting point is 00:13:36 Maybe we find some mediation on a reduced price, whereas, you know, the ACC on the flip side, you know, if they were to allow this mediation to force a big compromise, if they were to agree on a reduced fee to allow Florida State to get out, they'd be losing one of their most valuable brands and losing Florida State in such a manner could probably allow them to carve a path for Clemson and others to follow them out the door.

Starting point is 00:14:04 So in the ACC, we talked about, you know, Florida State's legal team might feel like, hey, this grant of rights has already been violated by the ACC. This thing is worthless. They may feel that way, but on the flip side, Kenton, Jim Phillips has said it, they feel, hey, this is a binding agreement that Florida State agreed willingly and happily to sign not once, but twice. And now they want to get out just because the landscape is changed and they look at, oh,

Starting point is 00:14:28 let's look at what they're making in the SEC and the Big Ten. If Jim Phillips, and really it's up to his lawyers, not as much up to him, feel like, no, this is absolutely an enforceable grant of rights. They just want out because the landscape has changed. Then they have no incentive to mediate. So I want to touch on something you said there in terms of the message board saying that, you know, the ACC has no leg to stand on. Those same message boards said that Xavier Struppel was dropping passes left and right and that Cam Ward got picked off a bunch of times in Miami's practice and it was disorganized chaos. Yeah, and I was at that practice.

Starting point is 00:15:05 I didn't see any of that. I was there. Donno is a much harder. He is much more in depth than in those message boys than I am because he knows that there is value and gyms in there, but you got to discard 90% of the trash. You got to throw away 90% of trash to get that. And by the way, on a side note, because I go to a lot of these mess. Obviously, I spend a lot of time on the Miami boards.

Starting point is 00:15:29 But no matter which board is doing this, I absolutely hate, I guess I see this on the Florida, Gators boards as well, when they start claiming to know what's happening in other people's practices. It's 100% of the time it's wrong. Like, it's not. And it's why if I go on a Miami board, I'm like, hey, oh, apparently DJ Weungaunga Lai had 20 straight incompletes. passes and practice complete rubbish. I don't take it seriously. Same way I don't take their practice reports on Miami seriously. Yeah, but that's what I mean.

Starting point is 00:16:00 When we're looking at this thing, a lot of people are coming out with the angle of I want this or I want that. When you look at this thing straight down the middle, you stare down the barrel of what we're actually looking at in reality. The truth is often very far between people who are like, oh, these teams have nowhere to go if they leave the ACC and all that. Like I've said, I have heard reports. that they're going to have a hard time finding a new home in the SEC or Big Ten.

Starting point is 00:16:25 But I hope that that's not true. I really do. I genuinely hope those reports are false. And when these guys leave, they can go wherever under guys green that they want to go and they're happy there. And I've also heard reports, oh, this lawsuit's already over. The ACC is cooked. They're done. They're breaking up tomorrow.

Starting point is 00:16:42 All of the schools are going to the Big 12. I've heard it all. At the end of the day, I am ready to get into the meat and bones of this. And that is why to me, for a media guy like myself, mediation is not just a nothing burger. It's a nuisance and an annoyance because we are taking away from get your behind in discovery. Get to the details and the facts. Stop wasting our time with this. Hey, do you want to come up from zero?

Starting point is 00:17:12 No. Do you want to come down from half a bid? No, good. Bye. What are we doing? That's probably how it's going to go, by the way. So, like, what are we doing? Let's save ourselves.

Starting point is 00:17:24 Whoever the mediator is, this is going to be the easiest job. Or I get either easiest or most difficult, depending on how you look at it. But all he's going to have to do is, hey, you guys want to talk or no? No, okay. I'm just going to hang out here and check my social media while we pretend we're in a meeting. Y'all do know that the snacks and the vending machine costs money. Let's all go home and stop wasting our time, if that's the case. Let's go back to the hotels where we could just charge it to the room and all that stuff.

Starting point is 00:17:50 We don't got to fool around like this. In this building, you know, let's go somewhere better. So again, this mediation thing, it feels like a whole lot of nothing that's being, it's a mountain or it's a mole hill that's being turned into a mountain, honestly. That's really what this feels like. It's a very small incident. It's a very small thing that like now we're looking at it and like, oh, man, what's going on? What's happening here?

Starting point is 00:18:11 What's happening behind the curtain? Nothing's happening behind the curtain. Nothing, not a thing. Okay. I'm sorry to tell you, but that's the reality. Well, meanwhile, we're 12 days away from actual ACC football and a conference game, no less, and a conference game being played across the pond. I want to talk about Florida State taking on Georgia Tech.

Starting point is 00:18:31 And if the yellow jackets have a chance and what would it take for them to pull off the upset? You want to keep it locked right here. We're not done yet on this brand new episode of Locked on ACC. You know, we're not done with Fandual. And by the way, the Seminoles are 13.5. favorites in that opener in Ireland against the Georgia Tech yellow jacket. So if you think the Knowles are going to cruise, you can get some action on that. If you think Georgia Tech's going to keep it close, first game of the year, maybe a little

Starting point is 00:18:58 bit of rust on both sides, low scoring game. You can look at Georgia Tech plus 13. In any case, Fanduel is the spot, and they've gotten us through the summer with so much great action. In fact, it's still summer, guys, and Fandual is hooking up all customers with a boost or a bonus daily. That's right. There's something for everyone every day all summer long.

Starting point is 00:19:17 So head over to fanduel.com and start making the most out of your summer. Fan dual, official sports betting partner of Major League Baseball. Thank you so much for making Lockdowne ACC, your first listen and your first watch today. You know what we have coming up tomorrow, Kenton? We've got the big conference preview show coming up tomorrow. So we're going to be talking about the favorites, the contenders. We're going to be having all the hosts on who hosts ACC shows on the Lockdown Network are going to join us.

Starting point is 00:19:44 And, man, we'll try to keep the lawsuit. talk to a minimum tomorrow, eh? We'll talk mostly about ball. Oh, absolutely, man. You have had enough of the suits. I've had enough of the suits. Megan Markle's probably had enough of suits at this point, and that's how she blew up.

Starting point is 00:20:00 We've left two seasons early. We've all clearly had enough of this thing, and we want to get to talking some ball, and that's what we'll do as much as we can in the preview show. And that's what we're about to get into right now, because we got some ball on the way. It's right around the corner. I can smell it in the air.

Starting point is 00:20:19 I can feel it in the, I wouldn't say, receding humidity because North Carolina doesn't know what receding humidity means these days, but I can feel it in the way the fans are anticipating and counting down. Football is almost here. Well, I wonder what the humidity is going to be like in Ireland on August 24th, because that's where Florida State and Florida State Seminoles in the history of their football program, they have never played a game outside the United States.

Starting point is 00:20:46 So that's going to be a first for them. Georgia Tech did win a game in Ireland, 2016, against Boston College. So they have played overseas before. Not that anyone on the roster was there at that point. Yeah, I wouldn't say that's an advantage for Georgia Tech. In fact, the yellow jackets are two touchdown underdogs in this one. Now, obviously, as we're a couple of neutrals, you know, we would like to see a close competitive game. I'm not sure if it's going to be that, Kent.

Starting point is 00:21:14 And I mean, there's obviously there are always X factors when you've got a lot of new faces on the seminal side, including a new starting quarterback, some new receivers, some new defensive while their defense looks really good. Whereas, you know, Georgia Tech, at least on the offensive side of the football, on defense as well, but maybe that's not a good thing. They do have some continuity, right, with with the two Hayneses at quarterback and at running back Haynes King and Jamal Haynes at running back. They've got their top two receivers back from last year. I think Georgia Tech, you know, taking nothing away from Florida State's defense, but I think Georgia Tech's offense can maybe make a game of this. But what I worry about is the Yellow Jackets' defense, and you've got the stats on this for their rushing defense,

Starting point is 00:21:59 absolutely brutal last season. And what do we expect Florida State to do very, very well this year on offense? That's run the football. This could be a recipe for disaster for Georgia Tech. Fighters don't make fight, styles make fights. And that's why this game would not be close. Donald, quick question. Pop quiz, who led the ACC and rushing touchdowns last year?

Starting point is 00:22:20 Florida State. And who was dead last by a fairly decent margin in terms of rushing yards allowed and second most rushing touchdowns allowed last year? Since I feel like this is a leading question, I'm going to let you lead me to say Georgia Tech would be the answer to that question. Allowing 222 rushing yards per game last year. I am sorry to tell you this will not be the only chance. And I know a lot of people say,

Starting point is 00:22:49 well, can you over index on rushing stats and rushing defense? Because, you know, that's my biggest gripe of Virginia Tech. But I'm like, y'all, if you watch the game, Virginia Tech's defensive backs are excellent. Their defensive line when it comes to rushing the passer, they're nasty. I mean, their base package, they don't even have to put in speed, but they can. And it is terrified for offensive lines to look at it. They're just not going to stop in a run. That's a big deal.

Starting point is 00:23:11 But back to Georgia Tech, they could not stop a run at all. I mean, those young men couldn't even stop a runny nose with five daycare teachers and three physicians assistants. You understand? And those are people who deal with running noses all day. It's kind of part and parcel of the gig for both. Neither one could get that defense to stop anything. So I think that there needs to be, if Georgia Tech is to pull off this upset,

Starting point is 00:23:40 I think three things have to happen. three major things. Number one, it has to be attracting. They're not going to win a low scoring, grind it out. Every yard matters type of game with Florida State. They're just not. Because generally in those types of games, you have to have one of two things going for you. You either have to have the superior big men in the trenches. They do not. Or you have to have a scheme that is phenomenal. That is like, this is unlike anything we've ever seen. And they've got a new defensive coordinator this year. So I guess we'll see. It's, yet to be determined. I guess. I just, I don't see it. I can see them being much improved defensively in terms of stopping them wrong because they were god awful last year. The only way to go

Starting point is 00:24:22 is up when you're dead last, but I don't see enough improvement to stop one of the better rushing teams in all of the country last year from doing what they do. So they're going to need to track needle on grass, number one. Number two, they're going to need immense defensive improvement in terms of gap control. And the last thing, which is, I know that people always say, first game and bowl games, you never see this. Teams always do this poorly. Tackling.

Starting point is 00:24:49 You have to hold your gaps and make tackles when you get to your gap. There needs to be every time you see a hat with a spear on it, a hat with a GT right next to it. Hat is spear, GT, spear, GT, because if you do not have that, if you give a crease to toe field. If you give a crease to any of those backs, as Katie did is at the doorstep. And more importantly, if one of those running backs do

Starting point is 00:25:15 hit a crease, you have to make the tackle. You have to. They were god awful at tackling last year, which is surprising, given their head coach's demeanor. Branky is a very, very gruff. He's got a great personality. He's a big person. He makes

Starting point is 00:25:31 you want to run through a brick wall for him. But it makes you think, I would want to tackle for that guy. They did not. They did not have much desire, much interest in taxes. Maybe they wanted to. They just couldn't. Well, I'll tell you this much. I'll tell you this much.

Starting point is 00:25:44 The desire and the one tool, they need to be one for one. They need to come on together, have a good old time and have a meeting. Because if they can accomplish those three things, make it attract me, gap responsibility in assignment, make your tackles. They'll be just fine. But if not, it's going to be a long, long day. And those boys might need to hit a pub after that game before the flight back. So last thing I want to get to on this episode of Locked on ACC, pretty much, I guess it's just part of my job. Like every day I have to Google the phrase conference realignment and just see what's out there.

Starting point is 00:26:20 See what's out there. And pretty much every day that I do that, I see a new rumor about how the Big 12 is going to basically poach half of the ACC. Sometimes Florida State and Clemson are involved in the Big 12 rumors. Sometimes they're not. So the one that I catch this morning, Kenton, is this was written up by Sports Kita, but it's by the way of Greg Swain, college football analyst who, you know, he talks, that I roll for the audio listeners, Kenton's eye roll. Kenton's eye roll after that name, it speaks loud and clear, but he talks a lot about

Starting point is 00:26:59 specifically the Big 12 poaching teams. So here are a couple of quotes. he says, as others have recently reported, there are quite a few ACC schools who realize the situation could change quickly. And so had been having third party conversations with other power conferences for some time. And like the PAC 12,

Starting point is 00:27:19 they'd like to say if things were equitable with the SEC and the big, they'd like to stay if things were equitable with the SEC and the Big 10, but obviously they aren't. Now, actually, with that statement, I have no problem with that. There's nothing wrong with that, Kenton,

Starting point is 00:27:32 because honestly, any of these schools within the ACC, you've got to have a contingency plan. That if this thing were to blow up, do we have a landing? So I could totally see that. If there are back channel conversations being had with the Big 12, SEC, and Big Ten,

Starting point is 00:27:45 I can totally understand that. So then he goes on to say, as we talked about a year ago, here and on the show, Louisville, NC State, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Miami, and Pitt are known to be interested in the Big 12 should things go bad

Starting point is 00:28:01 and they don't get an SEC or big 10 offer. So that's, I mean, I guess, I mean, he did put that caveat at the end that if they don't get the Big 10 or SEC offer. But then Kent, I think that also assumes the ACC were to blow up, which neither of us necessarily think that's going to happen, right? That if, you know, unless the entire conference collapses on itself and ceases to exist, maybe then they'd be looking at the Big 12. For sure. And you know, if all the people who like tall, statuessque women were to stop existing, me and Megan Nostalian really could be a really good power couple, you know, big if true, but I'm hearing reports that if all of the people who like did not like women five,

Starting point is 00:28:43 eight or taller were like, oh, no, like if all of them ceased to exist except me, me and her would have a great shot at working it out, you know. And so I don't know why you're laughing. Me and Greg Swain have the same performance. We have the same sources. Our sources, one for one, baby. We're working on this thing together. But in all seriousness, I mean, sure.

Starting point is 00:29:06 But ifs and butts were berries and nuts, squirrels will never starve, we live in a real world. You're talking about a world where the ACC blows up, which again, I have said this repetitively. And I will say it again, the ACC without Florida State and Clemson is much more like the Big 12 without Texas and Oklahoma than the PAC 12 without USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington. It's a much different. situation. It is not one for one at all with, oh, this is not compatible at all with the conference blowing up because we don't just have one Oregon state. And who's the other team that's, that stranded is Washington State. We have more than one of those. Like there's multiple teams that if this thing were to blow up and everybody, they're like, are we in the American conference

Starting point is 00:29:57 now? Are we in a, are we in a sunbelt? What just happened? There are multiple teams like that. There are multiple teams that, let's be very honest, if they go to the Big 12, where's the money going to come from? Yeah, that's the thing. Private equity. I think we already covered that a few weeks ago, that they're, they're going to, basically they're, they're going to sell half their conference to some,

Starting point is 00:30:21 to some investor. Sure. And so the same, and just to be clear here, the same administrators who are doing everything they can to protect their salaries. and make sure that they're getting paid and like, hey, I'm the conference assistant, special assistant to the director, executive director, vice president of internal communications. That person who like cares for their job and all the other people who have a very similar title with a slight word change, all those people are going to be like, yeah, cool.

Starting point is 00:30:53 We're totally cool with like this happening in a way to do it. Even if you say the commission is going to be the one to do it because the commission knows that this is his path to creating, a big three per se. Sure, but does the commissioner have to answer to all the other schools? No. Doesn't the commissioner? Oh, the commissioner doesn't have to answer to the other schools? The other schools can just, he can unilaterally make a decision. He does. Sorry.

Starting point is 00:31:15 And that's my point. He does. He does have to answer to them. You got the answer to all of these schools who are just getting in the conference, who are looking around like, wait a minute, we're on the bottom of this conference. What if red herring equity decides to get rid of all the bottom feeders and says, hey, it's better economically to just keep the top schools from here and it's a couple from ACC.

Starting point is 00:31:36 What happens then to those schools? You know, like, this is objectively, it's, we, I hate having a show where we talk about two nothing burgers, but I mean, hey, it just imagined two thinly sliced pieces of bread with literally nothing but air hopes and dreams in between them, because that is what these, these rumors of all these teams, bolting for the Big 12 will. turn out to be. Well, we're going to have a something burger tomorrow. The big, big fat, juicy burger of

Starting point is 00:32:06 our full conference preview. Amado burger, if you will. Yeah, this is not like a smash burger. This is not like a thin patty. This is going to be a big patty we're going to have on Locked on ACC tomorrow because we're going to offer probably the most comprehensive preview of ACC football you're going to find

Starting point is 00:32:22 heading into this upcoming season. So he is Kenton Gibbs from Lockdown Wolfpack. I am Alex Dono from Lockdown Keynes. We'll talk to you guys again next time on another episode of Lockdown ACC. We are part of the awesome Lockdown Podcast Network. Your team every day.

Locked On ACC - Daily College Football & Basketball Podcast - Florida State & The ACC Enter Mediation | Seminoles Leaving Soon? | Does Georgia Tech Have A Shot?

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.