The Duke lacrosse saga that began in 2006 is an ongoing reminder that quick conclusions can be the epitome of a dangerous leap in sports.
With that in mind, far be it from me to say without reservation that Miami’s athletics program is on the verge of virtual devastation.
But if the NCAA eventually determines that this week's allegations of outrageous behavior by the school and its athletes are accurate, the ACC will forever rue the day that the Hurricanes only a few years ago were the centerpiece of expansion.
The league’s $2 billion, 12-year or so television contract with ESPN may not be compromised or downsized, but the immediate and long-range impact on the league almost surely will be far reaching. And costly.
At a time when UNC’s football program is in the NCAA’s on-deck circle and various other conference programs have been sanctioned, the potential mushroom cloud in Miami will be as bad for business as imaging.
The whole idea of bringing aboard Miami in 2004 was to add a big-hitter football commodity for TV contractual purposes. After much inspection (supposedly), the ACC pronounced the long-troubled Hurricanes a healthy, rehabilitated program that long would be an asset on and off the field for the conference.
In reality, the football team has been average – 30-26 against so-so league rivals – and anything except can’t-miss TV.
The only plus of expansion has been Virginia Tech, the “regional school” no one in the ACC wanted when the process began.
Boston College will never be a fan factor in the ACC – or in the city of Boston for that matter.
So here we are – eight years later – and the ACC is facing the prospect of forever forking over big checks from the TV bounty to a Miami program that may not be worth its weight in horse feathers when the next TV contract has to be negotiated.
-- Caulton Tudor
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Miami about to become dead weight in ACC?
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23 comments:
Does the football mess at UNC-CHeaters not classify as dead weight for the ACC??
The football mess in Chapel Hill is a black eye for sure, but the Heels' basketball performance more than makes up for that black eye.
"The U", on the other hand, has NO redeeming qualities beyond it's football program.
Oh yes Caulton, the ACC is so much more attractive in Football with such games as Duke vs Wake Forest or NC State vs Virginia.
Boooring! No marketability. Oh, but your so religiously squeaky clean!
The last thing Miami can be considered is dead weight. So they broke rules...so has Alabama, Ohio State and USC. Big schools break rules; it's just if you get caught.
I can't stand this persona of being some kind of white angel or some pimple-less teenager. The ACC is NOT pure, so get over it! You have Demons and Devils in your Conference, anyways!
Well Anonymous 8:31, obviously you have never heard of NC State. Because as any of their fans will gladly tell you, their football program has NEVER committed even a minor violation. TOB? More like GOD!
Bigger is better? It is just football and college. It is big a business now than ever. These guy's are broke celebrities ! You can't date ten girls in week and not go broke. Kill your T.V. .
Predictable that the very first comment is a wuffie whining
Well Tom P.,
WHO CARES!
So, you're not Alabama, Ohio St, or USC...when is the last time NC STate has been a major power in football? Oh wait...like NEVER! Who cares if you run a clean program when you SUCK! Maybe you should try breaking some rules and you might become a good team.
As of now, you're not even worth anyone's time.
Don't you EVER think NC State is a major sports power...anyone of the other ACC teams would laugh right in your face!
Start cheating and maybe you'll become a consistent powerhouse.
I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints; the sinners are much more fun!
NC State in Football and Basketball? Small time!
Carolina tried cheating and never became a football power. In fact they became a butt. They are the butt end of more jokes than a Larry the Cableman Show.
Isn't the conference as a whole dead weight in football. I mean Virginia Tech is the best team and they would be lucky to be a top 5 team in the SEC. The ACC is almost as big of a joke as the Big East in football.
Tom P.- I get that you are proud that NC State has never committed any major violations. But last time I checked the you don't get a big crystal football for running a clean program. And bragging about how clean your program is compared to Alabama, USC, and Ohio State is just moronic. Players don't go to schools to be in clean programs, they go to win championships and obviously NC State hasn't figured out how to do that. I don't like that my school might have cheated to get some players, but its worth it when you have 13 national championships.
Can the ACC boot Miami from the conference? If so, it might be worth investigating. Wake Forest will carry more swagger than the Hurricanes if they stay in the league. ACC should then go after East Carolina. It's a growing program that will be spending a lot of money over the next few years to further upgrade their facilities and their fan support is more enthusiastic than most of the current ACC schools. Something the league sorely needs.
LOL Roll Tider and anonymous 10:21, I was being incredibly sarcastic. I am not a NCSU fan and how dare you assume I am haha! I find it funny that Pack fans seem to think they run the cleanest program in the history of sports and they feel they can pass judgement on any of these people, when we all know it is happening at EVERY program in America, to varying degrees.
Yeah, my heart bleeds for these illiterate pieces of human filth when they sign a contract for the league minimum.
Many of us never wanted Miami, or Florida State, in the ACC anyway. Heck, old schooler that I am, I'd just as soon drop back to 8 teams in the same region. Unfortunately now it's all about the money...and I think that's too bad.
UNC-CH fb will be crushed for the next 5 years. Miami fb will be crushed for 10 years. Such a disgrace!
i still find it odd that UNC wannabes can come on a public forum and argue that cheating is acceptable provided it produces championships. what kind of household were you people brought up in? what do you tell your children when they get into trouble? some of yall are extremely pathetic and its quite sad.
Someone please explain to me how this league is still getting BCS money? Other than VT, FSU, and Clemson football is dead in this conference. Other than UNC Chapel-Hill and Duke basketball is dead in this conference.
TarHoles have no class, character, or integrity. Any their girls are ugly, too. ...not impressed by your pasty, fug, suprisingly chubby, coeds.
Anon 10:11
How can you saw that Clemson is relevant in football? Wake Forest has been more successful in ACC football than Clemson. I believe its been over 20 years since Clemson won an ACC title. Wake Forest 3-4 years since they won the ACC title. Clemson is a joke, and if for some reason the SEC seems like they are a worthy canidate for expansion they wouldn't add up to anything more than Kentucky.
And something else doesn't pass the smell test. Frank Beamer got his money back (and more) from his collaboration with Donnan in a Ponzi scheme. Beamer was quick to say that Donnan didn't know that he was involved in a Ponzi scheme. I believe there is something fishy here, particularly since Donnan settled. Someone needs to investigate this thing deeper. Switzer, Donnan, Gillespie, Tuberville, Beamer?....get real
If you are going to quote Billy Joel at lease give the man credit...
Bigger thug school: Uncheat or the U???
Does academic prestige still matter to the ACC or is it all about cash and football mediocrity?
Duke, Virginia, Wake...once upon a time the ACC was a pretty great academic conference before being diluted by the likes of the U and VaTech.
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