ESPN's Adam Rittenberg shines light on potential B1G, Pac-12 & ACC alliance

Key notes from Adam Rittenberg interview

• After the SEC made its power move, adding Texas and Oklahoma, other leagues were looking to counteract that. Other commissioners have been in touch with some informal meetings but also some in-person meetings. I've been told that all three commissioners from the Big Ten, Pac-12, and ACC were in Chicago last week as well. They are looking at more than expansion or poaching other league's teams. They're trying to find ways to improve revenue. Can they improve overall as a group with scheduling and in other areas?
   
• I think this alliance is a realistic proposal in terms of discussions. If legitimate revenue can be made, it will be legit. I'm not sure all three leagues are at the same point right now, but I've been told some athletic directors have started a mini-council or a mini-alliance. The institutions in the Big Ten and Pac-12 view themselves very similarly, and some ACC schools do as well.
   
• The discussion for the expanded College Football Playoff is going to be fascinating. When that proposal came out, it was driven by Greg Sankey, the SEC, and Notre Dame because those entities would benefit greatly from an expanded playoff. After the SEC expansion, there is still a desire to have more seats at the table. We do not know where the Big Ten, Pac-12, or ACC stand regarding the playoff. We know many people are wanting an expanded playoff but maybe not the proposed 12-team expansion.
   
• There is a natural connection between the SEC and ACC through history. From an institutional perspective, there are more similarities between the ACC and Big Ten than the ACC and SEC. People need to remember that this isn't a decision made by coaches, media members, or athletic directors. It's made by university presidents. I sense there are more connections between ACC and Big Ten presidents than SEC presidents.
   
• The SEC is in a great position. I don't see many more great additions that add value. Clemson and Florida State would be good teams to add, but I'm not sure they bring in that much more money because there is already an SEC presence in those parts of the country. I don't think the SEC has to do a whole lot more. People have talked about the 'super league' as a possible endgame for the SEC, but I'm not sure they have to do much more than negotiating their next media deal and bring in that much more money.
   
• I'd be stunned if we had to wait until 2025 to see Texas and Oklahoma join the SEC. That's a long divorce. I do think the other Big 12 schools need to collect what is theirs financially. I think it's best for everyone to make that split happen sooner, but the other Big 12 schools have every right to dig in and get what they deserve financially.
   
• Notre Dame was the biggest proponent of the expanded playoff other than Greg Sankey. They view it as a win. However they can be part of the playoff is a win for them. They do have that agreement with the ACC, and then they play their other games against the Pac-12 and Big Ten. If this alliance happens, do they tell Notre Dame they'll be playing teams in those three leagues if they're allowed to keep their independence? 
   
• I'm excited about the Texas A&M team this year. It feels like it's coming together. They bring back a lot. This is the defense Mike Elko has waited for. They have some exciting skill players on offense. My question is about the offensive line, and they lost a lot. How does that come together to protect that quarterback and those skill players? It's a question of whether or not they can get over the hump. What an opportunity it is for A&M to face Alabama at Kyle Field this year. Can they take that last step that has been so difficult for so many teams in the SEC?
   
• Texas A&M has their money and likes to spend it, but let's have some results. A top-five finish is not a result. A second-place finish in the SEC West is not a result. Conference championships and national championships are what matters. Let's see some results before we start talking about a contract extension.