ACC revenue exceeded $300 million in 2013-14; NC State received $18.2 million share

The ACC almost doubled its revenue in five years thanks to the hot potato of realignment, which re-set the market for television contracts. In 2009-10, the ACC pulled in about $158 million, according to the Daily Press' David Teel; in 2013-14, the league earned a little over $302 million.

Each full league member earned at least $17.9 million in 13-14, with NC State checking in next-to-last at $18.2 million. The differences weren't huge--we're talking about a $3.4 million differential across the league--but even those relatively minor differences in payouts can be significant, especially for State, which was already working from behind in nearly every sense.

NC State's payout will increase as the ACC's revenues increase in the near term, but as Teel outlines, the long run presents a worrisome outlook for the league (and by extension, for NC State). The ACC lags a bit behind the rest of the Power Five in payouts now, and while that may not change substantially in the next couple of years, it could grow into a debilitating gap unless John Swofford and company can make an ACC Network reality.

The Pac-12, Big Ten, and SEC each already have established networks. The ACC is not only playing catchup in that regard, but it can almost certainly expect a smaller return than the Big Ten or SEC on a network.

The ACC's been battling uphill since the Big 12 decided not to disband; the issue lies in the degree of disadvantage. For now, the ACC's prospects are okay. Ninja Swoff got us this far, which ain't a bad piece of work. The next few years will be telling.