When ACC Media Days picks up on Monday morning, one would think that the focus would be that the league is adding three new teams to its membership in 2024, with Cal, SMU, and Stanford all joining the conference.
However, that’s simply not a reasonable expectation given what has happened in recent weeks, as Commissioner Jim Phillips will have to answer bigger questions concerning the league’s future.
Overshadowing the 2024 season are lawsuits between the ACC and two of its member schools, Florida State and Clemson. The Noles and Tigers represent the two biggest football brands in the conference and are looking for a way out of the league on account of the financial gap between the powers in the SEC and Big Ten and what the ACC is willing to provide.
Earlier this month, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark declared that the league is “still open for business,” and that combined with the notion that it is “one of the top three conferences in America,” has many feeling that Clemson and/or Florida State could find refuge under Yormark’s leadership.
However, that’s not the expectation — at least not anytime soon — according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
According to Thamel, there is no expectation that Florida State or Clemson will notify the ACC of an intent to leave before the August 15 deadline. That deadline would apply to an exit for the 2025-26 season.
While Phillips didn’t make the deal that has the Noles and Tigers up in arms, he is the man responsible for guiding the league’s future.
“He kind of inherited it from [former ACC commissioner] John Swofford,” a source told On3’s Pete Nakos. “He didn’t make that deal. If you really look through the contents of what Clemson and Florida State have filed, a lot of it is aimed at the preceding administration. Now, Phillips, he’s got a tough hand to play here.
“… You never want to be in litigation with your own schools. And yeah, the schools have signaled that they want out. I don’t know what he could possibly do to change that picture. He’s not going to go to ESPN for more money now.”
As it sits, ACC schools are locked into a Grant of Rights that will keep the league’s broadcasting rights tied to ESPN through 2036. According to attorneys representing Florida State, it could cost the Noles upwards of $500 million to leave early by time all things are said and done.
However, that same source told On3 that the private equity companies prodding around could be a factor, notably in the Big 12.
“You have all these private equity companies circling college sports,” the senior TV source told On3. “I think that is going to be a factor in the Big 12, maybe some of the other smaller conferences. I don’t know at the moment how the Big Ten and SEC are going to react to it, but I do see the potential of further destabilization.”
