You are right even if you don't factor in that fans of some of the schools

may have to drive to a neighboring state or into Canada to watch the closest NHL team in person.

I would be curious to know how of much of a "value" (if any) the Big Ten places on its hockey program. If people are severely underestimating its value and/or it is that much of a difference maker, then maybe the ACC should take a hard look on whether it should start sponsoring men's and women's ice hockey. If nothing else it could influence the ACC to take a hard look at the sports it is currently sponsoring to see if there are any either the ACC and/or ESPN are currently undervaluing. If there are any then at the very least it would give the ACC some discussion points as it tries to establish a plan/take whatever steps necessary to increase its value so it is in the same ballpark as the Big Ten and SEC.

In response to this post by reestuart

Posted: 10/20/2016 at 1:46PM

With TV ratings (NFL) down for sports, what happens in 2018 when ESPN says -- Lakeridgehokie 10/19/2016 5:06PM

Rights are more complicated than we fans project -- Mercury 10/19/2016 7:49PM

Do you really think most folks here don't get that? Really? -- chuckd4vt 10/21/2016 12:25PM

I think they're contractually obligated. -- chuckd4vt 10/19/2016 6:22PM

Maybe Big Ten ice hockey is considered a revenue sport even though -- VTHokie2000 10/20/2016 12:13PM

College Ice Hockey is regional, and popular in its region. -- HOO86 10/21/2016 07:05AM

Hockey may be more popular in the North than in the South -- VTHokie2000 10/21/2016 10:50AM

This issue is players. The NHL imports them. -- HOO86 10/21/2016 10:58AM

Except if the school's goal is to get the best and brightest students -- VTHokie2000 10/21/2016 11:23AM

Perhaps Boston College will sponsor New Brunswick Varsity Red to join. -- HOO86 10/21/2016 11:34AM

If the ACC was going to add a Canadian school, then Univ. of Toronto -- VTHokie2000 10/21/2016 12:55PM

The ACC is FAR superior to the B1G in baseball. Well attended some places. -- chuckd4vt 10/20/2016 3:07PM

It is true that the ACC is a better baseball conference than the Big Ten -- VTHokie2000 10/20/2016 3:46PM

298 schools sponsor baseball. 60 sponsor ice hockey. -- HOO86 10/21/2016 07:14AM

I know more schools sponsor baseball than ice hockey. However, -- VTHokie2000 10/21/2016 10:14AM

There may be some opportunity there. -- HOO86 10/21/2016 10:20AM

If the ACC did decide to sponsor hockey, then there is a good chance -- VTHokie2000 10/21/2016 10:58AM

I was in Minnesota many years ago, and was taken to a Northstars game -- reestuart 10/20/2016 12:21PM

ND hockey has a new 5,000 seat arena and an NBC deal -- TerryD 10/20/2016 3:03PM

I was up in Marquette, MI back in the early 2000s -- VTHokie2000 10/20/2016 12:37PM

Yeah, I wouldn't doubt it. I'd also guess that even though it's -- reestuart 10/20/2016 1:27PM

You are right even if you don't factor in that fans of some of the schools -- VTHokie2000 10/20/2016 1:46PM

I think having a place to play for many of the ACC schools -- reestuart 10/20/2016 2:06PM

It may not be that much of an issue when you consider that -- VTHokie2000 10/20/2016 2:50PM

You are right even if you don't factor in that fans of some of the schools

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