The more I think about it, the more I believe this is a rear

guard action by the Big 12 and ACC to protect themselves from being relegated. That's why the B1G and SEC have expressed no interest; why Syverud and Gee are on the point; and why they are agreeing up front to unequal shares.

I think it's more likely that the B1G, SEC, ND, and a few supplementary teams added from the Big 12 and ACC to the B1G and SEC will separate on their own.

the interesting part in the article below

is that the NFL is getting involved, and apparently not really just behind the scenes.

It's in the NFL's interests to make sure that this goes down "the right way" and I don't think they're really all that concerned about bloated athletic department staff, hangers on, etc.

It could be a smart piece of business on the NFL’s part.

The NFL has to be really terrified of college football collapsing under the weight of their own ineptitude. There’s no chance that the NFL could spin up a legitimate developmental system in less than two years. Probably closer to 5 to do it right. And unlike MLB, the NHL, and the NBA, there’s no ready made supply of talent to fill the gap. Making sure that college football remains intact, and tied to the NFL, is their best case scenario.

Now, where this could go epically bad for them is if they hustle backwards. The key to any reforms lie at the feet of the TV networks. Thankfully for the NFL, the same networks that broadcast college football also broadcast the NFL. I doubt that the NFL is above applying some pressure to get them onboard. If the networks make some noise, the conferences will fall in line because if the TV money dries up, they’re done

If they try and work through the conferences, ADs, and Presidents, this is DOA.

yep. *