Rick Pitino joins Coach K in calling for ACC-Big East merger
Basketball's Maverick Back With Bold Merger Idea
Rick Pitino isn't one to shy away from bold statements. Just weeks after Coach K floated the idea of an ACC-Big East merger, Pitino joined in, calling it "an awesome thing" for college basketball.
A Mega Conference Dream
On a podcast with Jon Rothstein, Pitino argued that combining the traditional powerhouses like Duke, North Carolina, and Louisville with Big East stalwarts UConn, Villanova, and St. John's would be beneficial for both conferences. “In order for the Big East and the ACC to survive this football mania — because a bad college football game will surpass an NBA playoff game as far as viewership is concerned," Pitino said.
He believes a mega conference would help preserve basketball’s prestige in a landscape increasingly dominated by football. "So, if we want to survive basketball-wise with the ACC and the Big East and to preserve the Dukes, the Carolinas, the Louisvilles of the world, and the Big East, combining it into a mega conference would be an awesome thing.”
Reality Check: Football vs. Basketball
Pitino’s vision faces significant hurdles. Most Big East schools don’t play football, making financial alignment with the ACC difficult. TV rights also add another layer of complexity. Pitino admitted that while he believes expansion to 16-17 teams would benefit the Big East, league presidents are resistant due to concerns about money distribution.
“Unfortunately, outside of Coach K and myself, I don’t think there are a lot of feelings that way,” he said of the merger idea. “I don’t think the NCAA is very proactive, I don’t think the ACC and the Big East are very proactive. I don’t think they think outside of the box.”
The Never-Ending Love Affair with Basketball
At 72 years old, Pitino’s passion for basketball remains undimmed. He recently revealed that his son, Xavier coach Richard Pitino, tried to convince him to retire, but he admits he wouldn't know what to do without the game. “I think the blessing for me is I was two years out of the game, and boy, did I miss it. If I’m without basketball, I think I would age considerably.”
One thing is clear: With Pitino back in the game, college basketball has an added dose of excitement and unpredictability.