Clemson Plotting To Leave ACC For SEC Even After Addition Of Stanford And Others

Despite the ACC figuring out ways to make more money by adding Stanford, Cal, and SMU, Clemson is still eyeing a jump to the SEC

Stanford's future conference foe, Clemson is reportedly working on an exit plan to leave the ACC for the SEC.

According to a report from the Post and Courier, a move by Clemson could happen “sooner than later,” and it even told fans to “stay very tuned.”

Clemson, Florida State, and North Carolina were the three programs not in favor of the ACC adding Stanford, Cal, and SMU in the latest wave of college realignment but a late flip by NC State allowed the three to get in. The reason the programs were opposed to adding schools, and the reason Clemson is still working on an escape is the fact that the ACC's media rights deal runs all the way through 2036 and they do not feel fairly compensated. They, similar to USC wanted to be compensated more than the rest of the conference programs. 

There were thoughts that in adding the three new schools the ACC members could be rewarded for on-field success and lead to bigger payouts but that clearly isn't enough. Clemson has their landing spot predetermined in the SEC, but reports from August indicated that SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey is not looking to expand further after adding Texas and Oklahoma. In a report by On3, there was also pushback from current SEC member and in-state rival of Clemson, South Carolina. 

“Our fan base and coaches do not want Clemson in a league that gives us a great recruiting advantage,” a South Carolina school senior administrator told the media. “We respect what our fans want. (And) we will play (Clemson) in all the sports anyway.”

A case that may or may not work, as that seems somewhere along the lines of what Texas A&M was preaching before the conference added Texas. However, regardless of what happens with Clemson, Florida State, and North Carolina, there is stability in the ACC at the moment and they could look into expanding further.