than the value of members exiting the conference. However, contractually that may not matter as it concerns the GOR. It is possible that the current GOR doesn't even define a minimum threshold in terms of dollar value. It may not even define a minimum threshold in terms of membership number. If both are true, which wouldn't be that surprising given the ACC's lack of business savvy, then the ACC might not need to replace all the exiting members. All the ACC would need to do is add enough replacement members to satisfy the current NCAA DI bylaws for minimum membership requirements in order to retain all the ACC's automatic bids for the various NCAA Tournaments. Yes, I realize this strategy will have some implications in football (i.e. the ACC likely losing its tie-in with the Orange Bowl and other top second tier bowl games). However, the ACC may be okay with that fallout particularly if it is returning to its "basketball-first" roots.

I guess that is why I am thinking that the various court battles may be the more interesting things to watch when the dominoes start to fall. Once the battle enters the courtroom, then the courts could end up rendering a surprise verdict in the case which could throw an extremely large monkey wrench into everyone's plans. For example 8 full members and Notre Dame decide to leave the ACC in 2026. The 8 are leaving for either the Big Ten or SEC. While Notre Dame decides to leave for the Big East to ensure its football independence. The ACC adds 3 replacement schools to get back to 9 in order to meet the NCAA's minimum requirements. The courts rule that the GOR remains in tact until 2036. The fallout on the SCOTUS ruling is where things could get very interesting because the 3 conferences and 9 schools are likely having second thoughts about their decisions once the reality hits them. It is likely the 9 schools can't return to the ACC, so do they remain in their new homes or are they exiled from the 3 conferences and forced to exist in a temporary purgatory until the GOR expires in 2036? I think you will agree that the temporary purgatory would be the more fascinating scenario because the 9 schools have essentially become radioactive until July 1, 2036. Plus, Notre Dame will be the only school financially not hit as hard because of its TV contract with NBC.