Syracuse Orange
No sentimental reason for me to regret this one. This was just a bad choice from the beginning.
I understand why someone (cough, cough…John Swofford…cough) thought this would be a good idea. I also understand why he was a moron for thinking it. Even when Syracuse joined the league in 2013, it was clear that football was going to be the driver for any program that had it. As great as men’s basketball is, there was no way a successful & popular men’s basketball program was going to overcome the drag of a poor football program.
60th in attendance. 53rd in viewership (tied with Georgia Tech). The value just isn’t there.
The northeast was a big gamble for the ACC, just as it is turning out to be for the Big Ten. I wouldn’t be surprised if both Swofford and Jim Delaney had the thought “I bet we can make college athletics popular in the Northeast!” Yeah, not going to happen.
Professional sports dominate the Northeast. Saturday is merely a sideshow to tide people over to Sunday during football season. By the way, the weather in Syracuse only appeals to polar bears and Queen Elsa from Frozen.
NEXT: Duke Blue Devils