Sports

ACC is set for the long term no matter what happens

Published

2 weeks ago

November 20, 2025

Experts are discussing the potential departure of North Carolina, Clemson, Florida State, Louisville, and Miami from the ACC to another conference.

The looming possibility of Florida State, Clemson, UNC, and Miami departing in 2029 has sparked speculation about the ACC’s future. Yet unlike the Pac‑12, the ACC is built on deeper institutional alignment, stronger media markets, and a broader sports portfolio. With committed members like Duke, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Virginia, Virginia Tech, SMU, Syracuse, Louisville, and Boston College, the conference has the foundation to remain a Power Four player well into the next decade.

ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips Ready to Expand

With the Big 12 aggressively expanding in recent years, Phillips has signaled that the ACC will not sit idly by. He has stressed that the conference is prepared to add new schools to maintain strength and relevance. This proactive stance is designed to prevent the ACC from being weakened by departures, ensuring that the league remains a Power Four player.

Expansion Blueprint: USF, Tulane, Memphis, UConn, Army, and Navy

The ACC’s resilience lies in smart expansion.

USF (Tampa Bay): Strong academics, commitment to raising the bar in athletics, and a brand new on campus stadium and major media market. Hosted many major events including Super Bowls, CFP Playoff Title Games, Men’s and Women’s Basketball Final Four.
Tulane (New Orleans): Academic pedigree, rising football profile, and a Gulf Coast market with national appeal. Like Tampa New Orleans is a big event town and like Tampa the ACC have options for their major events.
Memphis (Tennessee): Basketball tradition, football growth, and commercial ties across the Mid‑South.
UConn (Northeast): Elite basketball brand, vastly improved football program, and access to the New York City market for the big events.
Navy (Maryland): National prestige, Mid‑Atlantic market, and the iconic Army–Navy Game.
Army (New York): Historic brand, Northeast market reach, and national following.

Together, these programs provide geographic diversity, institutional strength, and market value that ensure the ACC remains viable—even if its current flagship programs depart.

SPORTS TALK FLORIDA

SPORTS TALK CALIFORNIA

SPORTS TALK NY FAN

SPORTS TALK GEORGIA

SPORTS TALK DISTRICT

Exit Fees and the ESPN Bridge to 2036

Should FSU, Clemson, UNC, and Miami leave in 2029, the exit fees owed to the ACC would provide critical financial stability. Each team would owe the conference $111 million if they left in the 2028-2029 season, 2029-2030 season would cost them $93 million and 2030-2036 leaving the ACC is $75 million per exiting member.

These funds would help bridge the final six years of the ESPN media rights deal, ensuring the conference maintains competitive budgets and visibility. Also, each school being added would take either a reduced share or forego the fee entirely for the final six years of the deal.

By 2036, the ACC would be positioned to enter the open media market from a position of strength. A far cry from how the PAC 12 handled their media deal.

Setting the Stage for 2037: Apple and Beyond

Looking ahead, the ACC could align with Apple, led by Duke alum Tim Cook, to secure a groundbreaking streaming partnership likely to buy the ACC Network. Apple’s global reach would elevate ACC content, while traditional and emerging partners—CBS, NBC, Fox, Warner Discovery, The CW, Amazon, and YouTube—could provide hybrid broadcast‑streaming packages. This diversified approach ensures the ACC avoids the pitfalls that doomed the Pac‑12. These players want to stay together, and they have learned from the Pac -12 mistakes

Why Notre Dame Will Stay

A stable ACC with Pitt, Boston College, Wake Forest, SMU, Duke, NC State, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Louisville while adding USF, Memphis, Army, Navy, UConn, and Tulane, Notre Dame’s position as a football independent alongside full ACC membership in other sports becomes even more logical.

The Irish have deep historical ties with many of these programs. They’ve faced Pitt 74 times (Notre Dame leads 51–21–1), Navy 98 times (Notre Dame leads 82–13–1), and Army 52 times (Notre Dame leads 40–8–4), rivalries that stretch back over a century. The “Holy War” with Boston College has been played 28 times (Notre Dame leads 18–9), while the Irish have met Georgia Tech 38 times (Notre Dame leads 31–6–1). Out west, Notre Dame has squared off with Stanford 38 times (Notre Dame leads 23–14) and Cal 5 times (Notre Dame leads 5–0), and more recently, they split two meetings with USF (1–1).

This tapestry of rivalries and connections underscores why Notre Dame would remain independent in football yet thrive as an ACC member in other sports. The Irish’s national brand is built on independence, but their scheduling history shows natural alignment with ACC schools and new additions. Pitt, Navy, Army, Boston College, and Georgia Tech are long-standing rivals; Stanford and Cal add West Coast tradition; and USF represents a fresh Florida partnership. By staying independent in football while anchoring other sports in the ACC, Notre Dame preserves its national scheduling freedom while reinforcing historic and modern ties to ACC institutions.

Why the ACC Won’t Collapse Like the Pac‑12

Institutional alignment: Academic pedigree with Duke, Virginia, Georgia Tech, Cal, and Stanford.
Media markets: Atlanta, Dallas, Pittsburgh, Boston, DC–Virginia corridor, Bay Area, plus new hubs in Tampa, New Orleans, Memphis, and New England.
NIL maturation: Rising programs have stabilized fundraising, narrowing the gap with traditional powers.
Scheduling continuity: Rivalries like UVA–VT, NC State–Wake, and Duke–BC remain intact while new cross‑market matchups add intrigue.

The ACC’s depth across football, basketball, and Olympic sports ensures it remains a strong, multi‑sport conference with national relevance—even in a post‑2029 landscape.

Final Thought’s

Unlike the Pac 12 Commissioner Phillips and members of the ACC have had a number of conversations about the “what if’s” should the Big Ten and the SEC were to come poaching. So, far the vast majority of members, many of them recall the breakup of the Big East have no interest in heading for the Big 12 because these schools understand that the PAC 12 members made a mistake, had they held together just one year later Turner Sports lost the NBA and had cash for college sports and with an Apple deal in place along with a TNT, TBS, truTV deal and maybe a CW deal as well they could have been still around. The members value the future together and are willing to wait out the ESPN deal rather than bolt for a few dollars more in the Big 12.

Source link

Sports

Jay-Jay Okocha Names Coach Who Had the Biggest Influence on His Career

Published

2 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Austin Reed

Paris Saint-Germain legend Jay-Jay Okocha has rankked Serbian coach Dragoslav Stepanovic as the manager with the most significant impact on his career.

Okocha credited Stepanovic for guiding him during his formative years at Eintracht Frankfurt which shaped him in becom of the most skillful players during his active career.

Okocha joined Frankfurt from Borussia Neunkirchen in December 1991, a move that marked the beginning of his rise in European football.

He spent four years at the club, four defining seasons that helped shape his playing style and future success.

Those early years in the Bundesliga showcased Okocha’s incredible talent, as he quickly built a reputation for his mesmerizing footwork, flair, and creativity.

One of his most iconic moments in Germany remains his unforgettable solo goal against Karlsruher SC, where he famously dribbled past multiple defenders, including goalkeeper Oliver Kahn before slotting the ball into the net.

The goal is still regarded as one of the greatest in German Bundesliga history.

Despite his strong start in Germany, Okocha’s time at Frankfurt came to an unexpected end. In 1995, he fell out of favour under new coach Jupp Heynckes, but he has explained why Stepanovic stood out above all other coaches in his career.

“The coach who influenced me the most was my first manager at Eintracht Frankfurt, Dragoslav Stepanovic,” Okocha told R.org.

“It was short, but he influenced me the most throughout my career. Stepanovic is the type of coach every young player deserves to encounter.”

Okocha credited the Serbian coach for giving him both confidence and freedom, qualities that helped him fully express his unique style of play.

“I did not just feel at home at Frankfurt,” he added. “His guidance pushed me to bring the best out of myself.”

After Frankfurt were relegated to the German second division, Okocha moved to Fenerbahce in 1996.

His transfer to Turkey marked the beginning of another electrifying chapter, where his performances attracted international attention and eventually paved the way for his high-profile move to Paris Saint-Germain in 1998.

Source link

Sports

Conference Championship Weekend is here

Published

10 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Austin Reed

college championship weekend The 2025 college football season kicks off with one of the most electrifying Week 1 slates in recent memory. With playoff contenders

Conference Championship weekend is here and it is the most decisive weekend has arrived, as the SEC, ACC, Big Ten, and Big 12 Championships take center stage. Four conference championships titles will be contested, each carrying massive implications for the College Football Playoff.

MUST READS – Sports Talk Florida and Sports Talk NY Fans

Alabama and Georgia clash in Atlanta for SEC supremacy, Ohio State battles Indiana in Indianapolis for the Big Ten crown, Duke faces Virginia in Charlotte for the ACC title, and Texas Tech meets BYU in Arlington for the Big 12 championship. With playoff spots hanging in the balance, every snap this weekend will shape the national picture and determine which programs advance to the sport’s ultimate stage.

SEC Title Game

The 2025 SEC Championship Game features the Alabama Crimson Tide (10-2) against the Georgia Bulldogs (11-1) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Kickoff is set for Saturday, December 6 at 4:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. CT).

National Broadcast: ABC, ESPN+ streaming
Local Coverage: WSB-TV Channel 2 Atlanta, regional ESPN Radio affiliates

Alabama enters with momentum after a dramatic Iron Bowl win, while Georgia seeks revenge for its September loss to the Tide. The winner secures the SEC’s automatic bid to the College Football Playoff.

Big Ten Championship: Ohio State vs Indiana

For the first time, both teams enter undefeated (12-0). The Big Ten Championship Game will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Saturday, December 6 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

National Broadcast: FOX, streaming via FOX Sports app
Local Coverage: Big Ten Network pregame, regional FOX affiliates in Ohio and Indiana

Ohio State’s elite defense faces Indiana’s high-powered offense led by QB Fernando Mendoza. The winner likely claims the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.

ACC Championship: Duke vs Virginia

The ACC Conference Championship Game pits Virginia (10-2) against Duke (7-5) at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Kickoff is Saturday, December 6 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

National Broadcast: ABC, ESPN Radio
Local Coverage: Virginia Sports Radio Network, regional ABC affiliates in North Carolina and Virginia

Virginia dominated Duke earlier this season, but the Blue Devils, led by QB Darian Mensah, seek redemption. A Cavaliers win likely secures a College Football Playoff berth.

Big 12 Championship: Texas Tech vs BYU

The Big 12 Championship Game features Texas Tech (11-1) against BYU (11-1) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Kickoff is Saturday, December 6 at 12:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. CT).

National Broadcast: ABC, streaming via ESPN app
Local Coverage: KSL-TV Utah, regional ABC affiliates in Texas

Texas Tech seeks to confirm its playoff spot, while BYU must win to secure the Big 12’s automatic bid. This rematch follows the Red Raiders’ November victory over the Cougars.

Bottom Line

Championship Weekend delivers four marquee matchups across the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12. With College Football Playoff bids on the line, fans nationwide can tune in via ABC, FOX, ESPN Radio, and regional affiliates to watch history unfold.

Source link

Sports

India wants an Olympics

Published

15 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Austin Reed

Indian Olympic Association wants the 2036 Summer Olympics.

The IOC has a problem with tensions between India and Pakistan.

India wants to host the 2036 Summer Olympics and Paralympics events but there is a significant problem. India and Pakistan hostilities resurfaced following a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir in late April. India blamed Pakistan for supporting the militants while Pakistan said don’t blame us. India’s government is planning to send a high-level delegation to the International Olympic Committee headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland beginning on June 30^th. India wants to continue talks with IOC officials in an effort to host the 2036 Games. GEO News has reported Pakistan is planning to challenge India’s bid to host the Olympics by formally objecting to the IOC, claiming that India has politicized international sporting events. The Indian Olympic Association has officially submitted a Letter of Intent to the IOC. India plans to spend around $7.5 billion on the Games if the country lands the event. India has never bid for the Olympics event. They have the largest population of any country in the world with an estimated 1.4 billion people. It is a market that the IOC probably wants to enter.

The IOC probably will not award the 2036 Games for a few years. India is just one of a number of countries that could bid for the 2036 Games. The IOC no longer wants areas to bid against one another for its crown jewel events, the Summer and Winter Olympics, with the thought that the losing bidders would be upset. The truth is many areas don’t want to put up billions in whatever currency for a money losing event. The IOC has watched bids evaporate in the United States, Europe and in Japan. There are a number of countries that might be bidding for the 2036 Summer Games and that group includes Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Germany, South Korea, Hungary and Qatar. The race for the 2036 Games has begun.

Evan Weiner’s books are available at iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/author/evan-weiner/id595575191

Evan can be reached at evan_weiner@hotmail.com