College football realignment: More details on ACC interest in 2 schools

Where things stand in the ACC as the conference looks at possible realignment involving two Pac-12 members

James Parks | Aug 10, 2023

College football realignment: More details on ACC interest in 2 schools /

The next phase in college football conference realignment may come from the ACC as that league looks to further solidify its own position, but the latest strategy to add Stanford and Cal may have hit a snag in the last few hours, according to insiders.

What's happening: ACC presidents held a meeting on Wednesday evening to discuss the additions and, although they did not vote on the matter and no final decision has been made, there is plenty of disagreement among membership. Some believe that adding two more schools would further dilute each existing member's revenue, which isn't ideal considering the existing acrimony among ACC schools about how much money they are making already. Others are concerned about the travel requirements.

How much money? Reports indicate there is a gap of around $30 million per year per school between the ACC and the SEC/Big Ten, a shortfall that has already found Florida State leadership openly admitting they will consider leaving the conference.

Where ESPN comes in: If the ACC adds members, the network would pay the conference up to $35 million for each new team, and it would be up to the ACC to decide how to distribute it. It is believed that Cal and Stanford would get a 70 percent share compared to existing ACC members.

Where Notre Dame fits in: Although still independent in football, the Irish are members of the ACC in other sports and have been using their influence behind the scenes to advocate for Cal and in particular Stanford, with whom ND has a historic football rivalry, to join the league. Some in the ACC are upset that Notre Dame is trying to influence the outcome given that the school will not join in football and feel they shouldn't have an equal vote on the matter.

What they're saying: Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick told ESPN's Heather Dinich that "the notion that two of the very best academic institutions in the world who also play D1 sports could be abandoned in this latest chapter of realignment is an indictment of college athletics."

What needs to happen? In order for the ACC to add any new members, it would have to pass the threshold of 75 percent in a formal vote, or 12 of the 15 members would have to vote yes. Whether that number can be reached is still a very open question, with the current opinion being that it will not, and it's believed if the ACC cannot meet it, then it will not have a vote.

What else to watch: There has been credible interest in SMU from the ACC in recent days, with some pointing to the school's placement in a major media market, Dallas, and in a recruiting-rich state, Texas. But there has not been any movement on this front and it's not believed the ACC will offer an invitation.

What's next? The date to watch is Aug. 15, when a team must give notice to the ACC if it intends to leave the conference in time for the 2024 season.

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