So, about that loose partnership between the ACC and PAC... This is the same discussion, literally, that the Alliance had last year. ESPN did the due diligence on it and came away with a clear opinion that it wasn't worth it, and that it was deeply complicated by the presence of the ACC and PAC networks and FOX's presence in the deal. Add to that what I have told you before, that ESPN is highly incentivized to see the current ACC contract remain, and as a result I find this reporting to be dubious. It *feels* like a leak from the PAC commish to try and head off negative headlines about members leaving.
Now, I could be wrong... Just as university presidents sometimes make bad economic decisions, sometimes network executives ignore their data and hired consultants (ahem) and just make "bold decisions" that have "vision" and [ #2020 ] like that. This could be one of those times! Possibly, ESPN is thinking they could grab the PAC and ACC together, lock them into their long-term ACC agreement with a slight boost in fees to make them happy, add more content for the ACC Network and ESPN+ in the process, and essentially form a new Power 3: BIG, SEC, ACC. Now, as I said, this doesn't seem likely to me given what I know, but it isn't impossible. It just seems like something the leagues would want to happen far more than the networks, and by leagues, I really mean the PAC far more than the ACC... I'd have to imagine the bottom ~8 members of the ACC are scared to even talk about changing their TV deal as it might allow some lawyer to figure out how to break out of it.
Also, about those press releases you saw from the four PAC members... I looked into that, and that has to do with their GOR and PAC bylaws. They all signed (including UW and UO) a LOI recently and initiated a contractual period of renegotiation with FOX/ESPN, which had the legal effect of pausing defections for thirty days because if any member left during this period they could be liable for damages and violating their agreements with the league. Once this window ends (and I'd guess the chances they don't get a deal are 99%), everyone is a free agent again. I imagine outside counsel at, for instance Colorado, advised their board to play dumb immediately to fight off any concern that they were violating their covenants.
