Report: ACC Nearing Decision on Expansion

The home conference of the Pitt Panthers could be adding more members soon.

PITTSBURGH -- ACC expansion has gained some real momentum over the past month and it could mean the league decides to give the Pitt Panthers some new conference-mates within the next 24 hours.  

According to a report from Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellinger, ACC presidents - including newly minted Pitt chancellor, Joan Gabel - will meet to discuss and possibly vote on adding Cal, Stanford and SMU. 12 of 15 voting members (the league has 14 full-time members plus Notre Dame) to give a yes vote for the motion to pass. 

ACC presidents have scheduled a call Monday night to discuss & possibly vote on adding Cal, Stanford & SMU, sources tell @YahooSports.

In the presented model, expansion would add ~$55M annually for ACC to share via incentive pool as we reported last week https://t.co/D66EGPZCuL

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) August 28, 2023

Dellinger reported that the ACC could bring in an additional $72 million annually after expanding with those three schools, the majority of which will be distributed in two ways - one portion as even allotments to each school and another that will be tied to athletic success, with football weighed more heavily. A model for that uneven revenue distribution is still in the works, according to Dellinger. 

Long-time rivals Cal and Stanford would come as a package deal from the rubble of the Pac-12 after Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and Arizona State opted to follow in USC and UCLA's footsteps and exit for either the Big 12 or Big 10 this summer.

SMU, currently a member of the American Athletic Conference, has been a late addition to these talks. Some reports from earlier this summer claimed the Mustangs would be willing to forgo revenue from the conference from several years if they join, with donors lined up ready to make up the difference.

Dellinger also reported that Stanford and Cal have proposed taking less revenue from the league for multiple years in exchange for a place in a more secure home conference. 

One way or another, the ACC will have a decision by tomorrow morning. 

Make sure you bookmark Inside the Panthers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, recruiting coverage, and more!

Pitt OL Suffers Season-Ending Injury

Pitt Releases First 2023 Depth Chart

Erick Hallett Makes First NFL Interception

Lucas Krull Torches Texans in Preseason Finale

Pitt WR Ranked Top 10 Freshman in ACC

Five Takeaways from Pitt Training Camp

• Follow Inside the Panthers on Twitter: @InsidePitt