College football realignment: ACC could pursue more expansion in future

With college football expansion opening up again, the ACC could get in on the fun

As the college football expansion and conference realignment process opens up again with Colorado voting to leave the Pac-12 for the Big 12 next season, it's time for leagues around the country to once more look at whatever opportunities they may have, and that includes the ACC, according to commissioner Jim Phillips.

Phillips said he is keeping a close eye on what the Pac-12 may do in the future as it looks to secure a new media deal and is watching how any potential realignment move may help benefit his conference.

What the ACC said

"The ACC has been and remains highly engaged in looking at anything that makes us a better and stronger conference," Phillips said, via ESPN. 

"We've spent considerable time on expansion to see if there is anything that fits. We have a tremendous group of institutions, but if there was something that made us better, we would absolutely be open to it."

During the offseason, the ACC was itself subject to some quite notable rumors about members possibly looking for a way out, as reports of the so-called "Magnificent Seven" were allegedly searching for loopholes in the league's apparently air-tight grant of rights agreement that runs through 2036 to see if there might be some exception.

In the end, those schools stayed put, as expected, especially after Phillips announced a plan that would potentially put more money in those schools' pockets in the hopes of dampening down any ideas of their leaving the ACC.

Where to look?

Related: Which schools could move next?

As for adding schools? There are some possibilities on the West Coast, especially after the Big Ten's decision to add USC and UCLA put to bed any concerns about adding teams on the other side of the country. There is plenty of interest in schools like Arizona, Utah, and Arizona State, especially from the Big 12, which wants to add at least one more member after bringing on Colorado.

Oregon and Washington stick out as the two biggest brands left in the Pac-12, but insiders have long considered if either were to leave, it would be to the Big Ten, with whom they have reportedly had informal talks on the subject already.

Possible departures?

But while he's looking at potential additions, Phillips still also has to contend with the threat of losses, as some ACC athletic directors have expressed unhappiness with the league's position in the conference pecking order in terms of revenue.

That includes Florida State, in particular, which is reportedly still scouting a possible departure from the ACC, a move that could be expensive given the reported $120 million exit fee that members would have to pay by leaving before the contract is up.

"I'm well aware of the narrative and stories surrounding the ACC and our members as well as the frustrations of some of our schools on our financials," Phillips said. "But these are not new... The bottom line is our conference is strong and I'm extremely bullish about our future together."

(Phillips)

---

More college football from SI: Top 25 Rankings | Schedule | All Teams

Follow College Football HQ: Bookmark | Rankings | Picks