Thread by @ADavidHaleJoint

a quick thread on Jim Phillips comments on playoff expansion:

1. had been told the ACC was the primary league holding up expansion, but they're not alone. While ACC is the most steadfast in their position, it's largely shared by others, including the Big Ten.

(1/x)

2. In July, Phillips was preaching the need for this holistic review of all of college football. This isn't a new thing, and he's not wrong -- the landscape has changed a ton and it's worth understanding those dynamics before making big changes to CFP.

(2/x)

3. This is almost certainly a leverage play. Once ACC/P12/B12/G5 vote for expansion, what is the motivation for everyone to come to the table on other issues, let alone to consider what the ACC has to say on those issues? This is ACC's trump card.

(3/x)

4. People are overly focused on the 1 issue of expansion, but Phillips is essentially saying that if you want dessert, you need to eat your vegetables. (How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?) Look at how the NCAA approached NIL. Had years and did nothing.
(4/x)

5. Was just at coaches convention in Tex. The overwhelming takeaway: Everyone agrees there are problems -- opt outs, transfers, recruiting calendar, in-season coaching movement, tampering -- but no one agrees on solutions. There has to be a ticking clock to change that. (5/x)

6. Phillips works for the ACC's member institutions. There is unanimity, per Phillips, in waiting on expansion. I don't think that's BS either. Even pre-realignment, Dabo, Mack & others were outspoken against expansion without other considerations. (6/x)

7. Perhaps most overlooked part of Phillips answers: He said he'd "expects" more realignment before the end of the current playoff agreement. That's a big elephant in the room.

8. Lots of folks suggesting holding up expansion HURTS the ACC. That’s not necessarily true. (7/x)

ACC has had more playoff teams & wins than anyone but the SEC under the 4-team model. And while expansion could = more $ than current model, in relative terms, it almost certainly means less $ compared to what the SEC gains. SEC/B1G will have *more* sway after expansion. (fin)

Sorry typo on that tweet initially… SEC/B1G would be biggest winners in expansion. It’s why the ACC has leverage now.

1 more thing I’d add: People who think playoff expansion will keep players from opting out… I think that’s incredibly naive. A playoff opt out is going to happen. Just a matter of time. Expansion only adds to the pool of possible opt outs.