However, it would also mean that ESPN would reduce its payout to the ACC unless the ACC found a comparable replacement to Notre Dame. The ACC may be able to find a comparable replacement for the non-football sports, but I don't think the ACC will be able to replace the 5 annual football games with Notre Dame.

The ACC and its members could definitely feel the loss of L'ville and Notre Dame in its wallets. Also, the ACC may take a hit in the PR department. Perceptually the ACC new it was getting a snake oil salesman with L'ville and what it was getting with Notre Dame. People could see the L'ville situation and even the Notre Dame situation as the ACC not wanting to lay in the beds it made.

It is fine if the ACC wants to go down this road, but it must be prepared for any potential PR backlash and the possibility of schools challenging the GoR since the conference kicked out 2 members. If the courts rule the GoR is now null and void, then it gives current members a golden ticket to go join another power conference. If Clemson and FSU leave the ACC, then how long will it be before the media questions whether the ACC is still a power conference? How long will it be before other members look to leave the ACC? If it appears the ACC is no longer a power conference, then how soon will the bowls look to break their tie-ins with ACC so they can form new ones with 1 of the other power conferences?

If the ACC is thinking about kicking L'ville and/or Notre Dame out of the conference, then it better be sure it will win this game of chicken. Otherwise, the ACC could end up shooting itself in the foot.