Clemson University is reportedly considering an imminent departure from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), potentially bringing about a major shake-up in college football. The news comes against a backdrop of significant changes in the sport, including the implementation of a playoff system, conference realignment, the transfer portal, and the introduction of lucrative name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals.
According to a report by Gene Sapakoff of The Charleston Post and Courier, sources at Clemson University have revealed plans to bolt from the ACC. A senior administrator at the school indicated that this departure could happen sooner rather than later. This potential move raises questions about the future landscape of college football.
One of the key factors driving this potential departure is the widening revenue gap between the ACC and other conferences. Over the next fifteen years, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and the Big Ten are expected to secure new television deals that will significantly increase their revenue. In contrast, the ACC is tied to a long-term agreement with ESPN that runs until 2036. Moreover, ACC teams are excluded from broadcast revenue due to a grant-of-rights deal they signed in 2012-2013 during the conference’s last expansion.
Clemson, alongside other ACC powerhouses such as Florida State, Miami, North Carolina, NC State, Virginia, and Virginia Tech, has been meeting with lawyers to assess the feasibility of breaking the grant-of-rights deal. The strength in numbers displayed by Clemson suggests that there is a possibility of overcoming these contractual limitations.
Should Clemson leave the ACC, the Big Ten appears to be the most likely destination. However, Florida State and North Carolina could also consider following suit. On the other hand, the SEC has expressed contentment with its recent expansion, which will include Oklahoma and Texas next year. Nonetheless, the SEC has shown interest in the Tar Heels, and if they were open to joining, another expansion could be on the table.
The ACC, established in 1953 with Clemson and South Carolina as founding members, has experienced several departures over the years. South Carolina left in 1971, and Maryland, another founding member, departed in 2014. The conference has plans to absorb California, Stanford, and Southern Methodist in 2024. It is worth noting that Clemson, Florida State, and North Carolina voted against these additions, indicating a growing rift within the conference.
These potential shifts in the college football landscape highlight the ever-changing nature of the sport. As conventional wisdom suggests, Clemson’s departure from the ACC may be an inevitability. However, the final outcome and its overall impact remain uncertain. College football fans eagerly await further developments as the sport heads into uncharted territory.
Will Folks, the founding editor of FITSNews, served as press secretary to South Carolina’s governor and currently resides in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and seven children.
