Two Great Reads Regarding ACC's Grant of Rights

I recommend reading them both in their entirety to get an idea of where the ACC sits relative to the other major conferences. It seems that an ACC Network could become a reality, and as a regional product (east coast and then some) has a strong television audience. Obviously it's going to take time to flesh out, but since ESPN has gone through the process with the SEC, it might be a little more cookie cutter.

"Inside the deal: How John Swofford helped save the ACC"

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/05/04/4022792/inside-the-deal-how-...

During the meeting, Swofford and Jordan told Haggard what the grant of rights could do for the league. There was talk about an ACC channel down the line and the revenue that could generate.

"The connection with the ACC and ESPN (won me over)," Haggard said. "The idea of a possible television (channel) with the ACC, that it would be $5 million more a year, if we could do that. And probably more than that."

By then, the results of Swofford's negotiations with ESPN had become clearer. It appeared likely that ACC schools would receive an average of more than $20 million per year in television revenue.

Jordan, meanwhile, spoke about potential. His presentation showed that the ACC has more top-30 television markets than any other conference, more households with televisions than any other conference and a greater population base than any other conference.

"If you were an entrepreneur and you were starting a business and you looked at the ACC's markets as a street corner, it's a street corner you'd want to be on," Jordan said. "It's the best location."

"With new swagger, ACC moves ahead on network"

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2013/05/06/Media/ACC-n...

The ACC commissioned a study by Wasserman Media Group to determine whether the new conference footprint would support a network. Swofford said the ACC's footprint along the Northeast and Southeast U.S. reaches 43 million TV households, more than other conferences