Welp. Be careful that the academics don't choke out your athletics. Michigan seems to maintain those different elements in balance, but, let's face it, Harvard and Yale are no threat of a D1 National Championship, so that would seem the trend. IMHO, the academic reputation is a beauty contest with what some may consider questionable criteria (e.g. sheer number of books in school libraries). Our "sister" school UCLA has increased its reputation over the decades, but how UCLA and any other school do so is variable. If one considers the number of Nobel Laureates associated with a university, then you will see that UCLA is not even close to Cal in reputation. But then, over the same period of time, our money sports, like football and basketball, have mostly been middling, notwithstanding some great moments. "Great moments" such as when Jeff Tedford was our football coach. The Academics decided to pillory our program with even fewer academic exceptions for incoming athletes, because the APR for Tedford was so low. This lowering of the academic exceptions was as though our school was sanctioning/punishing our own athletics. So, on our campus, the academics, it would seem, have the upper hand and reign over athletics with a PE-hating fist. Honestly, I'll assert that the "academics" are largely responsible for Cal's general decline from greatness that our football program experienced from way back in the Pappy Waldorf days (1950s). Beware the shift in priorities as you make your deals.

I appreciate your math, but I have heard that the payout would be closer to half a billion. If not, then, I suppose your math may be right. I, myself, can't really argue this point. It's a rabbit hole I am keeping at arm's length. In any case, we are talking extraordinary money. Something not mentioned and I am not sure how plausible, but, especially with FSU and Clemson in the mix, the chances remain to negotiate a new contract with ESPN, especially given the brand and market they would lose should these strong programs leave.

Now, many of my fellow Cal Bears will disagree, but I will say the quiet part out loud. I, personally, perceive that ESPN, being a Disney media, is suffering a decline of viewership and probably sees the ACC as one of the last bargains around. The ESPN decline, IMHO, may be, in part, related to what I will call the Bud Light Effect, where Bud Light and the parent company suffered a documented decline because they miscalculated their consumer base's politics or commitment to social justice. LOL. I suppose that Fox has benefitted from being perceived as an "alternative media" and I will call this The Coors Light Effect, where, now, Coors Light sales have boomed in contrast to Bud Light sales. All would seem a zeitgeist and chock full of variables, including politics. Fox may lose some of their gains over the next decade and their financing of the B!G may falter. I don't know, but I think Fox is riding a wave, for now, and who knows for how long.

FYI- Shocking fact. I would estimate that somewhere around 35%+ of Cal alumni are actually conservative, such as myself. With another 40%+ in the moderate range of politics. The sweeping generalizations about Berkeley and California politics need clarification. There are issues, but there is still a "red" voice in our "Blue State." I cannot help but feel these perceptions of a polarized California contribute to some people's prejudices towards Cal (The University of California). Fox’s perception of Northern California politics is an elephant in the room made visible by Joe Buck’s incessant snide digs and innuendo when the Giants were in the World Series. 



“Other factors” as you mention are, too, variable. Yes, many recruits want into a P2 program, but this also means FSU will be in direct competition with existing P2s. Let’s say you, somehow, snag a 5* with the new edge of being a P2, how will the rest of your program fair with the remaining NIL funds and new pro-pay? Give that that our “amateur” athletes are now, virtually or literally, semi-pro, how long before NCAA implements salary caps? How long before there is a player’s union? There are a slew of variables coming, like a mud slide, towards NCAA athletics. You move from the known quantities of the ACC and you may invite your own internal chaos. Just a thought. And, did I miss something, or wasn’t FSU’s 2024 recruitment class ranked 12th? 7th in Transfer Portal Rankings? And 11th overall? On any given Saturday any Top Twenty-five team could beat another. Just sayin,’ again. 



“FSU has it’s (sic) best days ahead.” 


Maybe. 


But maybe only if they consider all factors as they weigh their decision to bolt. 


And I wish the Noles the best. 


Honestly, we, the Cal Bears, are just happy to be here and know we have our work cut out for us.