The ACC is discussing the possibility of adding California, Stanford, and SMU, according to multiple reports. There is renewed hope that Cal and Stanford can come to an agreement with the ACC, sources have told CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander.
A group of ACC presidents met to discuss potential financial models. If these schools were admitted, they would receive a lower share of the revenue. Cal and Stanford would get equal lesser shares, while SMU is willing to abstain from media payouts for up to seven years, according to ESPN.
If these three schools were added, it would result in increased compensation from television partners, as stated by ESPN. The fact that these potential additions are willing to take less money, and in one case no money at all, would allow additional funds to be distributed to existing members. Currently, the ACC distributes nearly $40 million per school, and this number is expected to increase thanks to the league’s television contract with ESPN.
In recent months, several ACC schools have been advocating for additional revenue opportunities, following the signings of new television contracts by the Big Ten and SEC. The ACC has previously endorsed a program that rewards successful programs with additional revenue based on postseason success. The specifics are still being worked out, but the program is expected to begin in the 2024-25 season, coinciding with the expanded College Football Playoff.
The ACC needs 12 out of 15 votes from its member schools, including Notre Dame, to admit a new school. Previously, four schools have withheld their votes: North Carolina, NC State, Clemson, and Florida State. Only one school needs to change its vote for the three new schools to be admitted. A decision could be made within the next week, ESPN reports.
This discussion by the ACC comes following the loss of schools from the Pac-12. USC and UCLA announced their plans to leave for the Big Ten, and Oregon and Washington followed at a reduced share. Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah have become full-share members of the Big 12. If Stanford and Cal join the ACC, the remaining schools in the Pac-12 would be Oregon State and Washington State.
Both Oregon State and Washington State have received offers from the Mountain West and American Athletic Conference, but no decision has been made yet regarding their future.
