ACC Unlikely To Start Own Net When TV Contract Expires in 2011

ACC Unlikely To Start Own Network After Current TV Contract Expires In 2011

The ACC's TV contract is set to expire after the 2010-11 college basketball season, and while TV contract talks "will get serious" next year, "don't expect the ACC to follow the Big Ten's model and create its own network," according to Rob Daniels of the Greensboro NEWS & RECORD. ACC Commissioner John Swofford: "The Big 12 has renegotiated its TV contract since the Big Ten Network went into effect, and it chose not to go that route. The SEC has begun its discussions for its next agreements. Time will tell. It's something we want to keep an eye on. People in the industry view the Big Ten Network as a wait-and-see proposition" (Greensboro NEWS & RECORD, 5/12). Raycom Sports President CEO Ken Haines: "Until there is some evidence that cable companies and satellite providers can make them successful, I think conferences will be very cautious about starting new channels" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/13).

SCHEDULE EXPANSION: In Charlotte, Ken Tysiac reports ACC football coaches yesterday left the conference meetings in Florida "with instructions to talk about a nine-game conference schedule with their" ADs (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/13). In Jacksonville, Bob Thomas reports ACC men's and women's basketball and football coaches "found little reason to alter the current arrangements, which coincide with" the current TV contracts. ACC Associate Commissioner Mike Finn said that there was "little, if any, support for expanding the conference football schedule from eight to nine games by the league's 12 coaches" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 5/13).