Paul Finebaum believes that the ACC, Big Ten, and Pac-12 forming an association is shameful as the SEC has overtaken college sports. (1:15).
At 2 p.m., the alliance between the ACC and Big Ten will be announced. Sources told ESPN that ET Tuesday.
Expect the three leagues to focus on "common values" as well as unanimous support for key topics that affect college athletes and schools across all sports. Sources claim that the Pac-12 was the most aggressive league in encouraging and forming the alliance.
A Pac-12 source said that when news broke about a possible alliance, it was still a ways away from the other two. He also stated that the league had been more successful in building support for the pact than the others. Others in the league anticipated an announcement sooner.
ESPN was also informed by another source that Tuesday's discussions were being held. Another source said that the Pac-12 is behind this.
George Kliavkoff is the new Pac-12 commissioner. He declined to speak to ESPN Monday night about the announcement. However, Kliavkoff has made it clear that he wants to see the league improve football. Kliavkoff stated that he is focused on increasing access to the College Football Playoff as well as ways to increase football revenue, particularly as the Pac-12 prepares for renegotiation of its media rights agreement. The San Jose Mercury News was also informed by Kliavkoff that the league would decide within the next few weeks whether to explore expansion.
Sources say the alliance is in response to college athletics' changing landscape, but is not directly countering the SEC as it seeks to become the first 16-team superconference. It is a way for the best-respected research institutions to work together academically and athletically.
Bottom line: There is no immediate or significant impact on college football today.
ESPN reported that "The impact now is looking towards the future and excitement about what it will mean," according to a source.
Sources say Tuesday's announcement of the alliance will not include common football scheduling principles between the three leagues. Many game contracts are already set for many years. It is also desired to see how a possible expanded CFP model might look before adopting new scheduling strategies.
The three leagues will likely start scheduling more games together, while individual leagues may make changes to their scheduling models. One option is for the Pac-12 reduce its number league games from nine-to-eight, which would allow teams to play other Power 5 conferences like the Big Ten or ACC.
However, there won't be an all-encompassing scheduling approach. In December 2011, the Pac-12 and Big Ten announced a scheduling agreement that would allow for programming to start in 2017. The Pac-12 side of the agreement reneged.
Source: "We cannot repeat the past."
This report was contributed by Heather Dinich, ESPN.
